Signing drivers for next season

[jimpanse3000]

When do i sign drivers (and staff aswell) for the next season?
As far as I can see by now (still in my first season) I can negotiate with them, but there is no option for setting sth like a "start date" for the new contract.
So I am wondering: do I have to wait till the year is over and then sign new drivers, if I want to avoid the penalty for breaking contract with the old drivers?
It seems every signing can only replace a current driver or staff - is that right?
This would be rudiculous...

And to guys who already made it to season 2 or further: arent all the good drivers already taken/signed by other teams once the new season/year starts?
Or do you get like a bunch of "free agents" to choose from?

Another question: do new drivers (completely new generated) appear every year or only if some oder drivers retired?

[How2Survive - Ghetta82]

Never signing for the next season, third season and i didn't see new generated driver\engineers

[Andy]

Instant contracts only, you can't sign from the start of the next season. You can wait. From what i've seen, where a team signs a new driver, the other team will typically sign the driver that replaced thiers.
I'd be inclined to do the contracts right after the last race. So, there won't be long left and the driver isn't signed out from under you by another team.
So, if Ocon goes to Mclaren to replace Ricciado. Ricciado will sign for Alpine.
Only in season 2 at the moment. Not seen regens.

[Strelok]

The best approach is waiting the last season day (31 december) to sign drivers or staff members. There's no pre-contract on the game. Not for you and not for IA too. So don't worry. Just keep scouting the guys you want and make a offer to them on the last day.

I'm still on second season only, so I don't know about the rest.

One tip is important. Contract a reserve driver with good development skills and put him to test in every FP1 on the season. You will have a very decent driver next season and cheaper salary.

[Andy]

Originally posted by Strelok:

T
One tip is important. Contract a reserve driver with good development skills and put him to test in every FP1 on the season. You will have a very decent driver next season and cheaper salary.

Gotta disagree with that. If you want an F2 driver. They will progress faster left in F2. And, progress faster in a race seat. A reserve slot only stunts their growth, and will do one of you're drivers out of a point or 2s development as they're always missing a session.
Reserve driver at the moment serves no purpose. Just make sure they're as cheap as possible.

[jimpanse3000]

Originally posted by How2Survive - Ghetta82:

Never signing for the next season, third season and i didn't see new generated driver\engineers

No new drivers after 3 seasons? Thats insane! 🙈

So did any of the original drivers retire in your savegame so far? This was supposed to trigger driver generating.

[jimpanse3000]

So no silly season at all and if you sign drivers from other teams the drivers just switch seats everytime? How disappointing is that?!

Oh boy, just another completely unfinished part in the game. How could the developers even dare to think it was ready for release?