With his personal sponsors reportedly linked to Sauber's new owners, many regard Marcus Ericsson as one of the most brazen pay drivers to enter Formula One in recent years.
But is it time to give the Swede, set to begin his fourth F1 season in 2017, the credit he deserves?
Behind the wheel of a dreadful car in the most difficult of seasons for Sauber, Ericsson has generally outperformed highly rated team-mate Felipe Nasr.
And although Nasr scored the team's first points of 2016 in the recent Brazilian Grand Prix, Ericsson's performances across this season have clearly impressed the team, who have awarded him with a new contract.
Ericsson says he now feels at home at Sauber, while Esteban Ocon is expecting to immediately feel at home at Force India when he joins the team at the beginning of 2017.
Alongside Sergio Perez―the most successful driver in Force India's history―Ocon may struggle to establish himself at the Silverstone-based outfit next season, but the Mercedes-backed youngster is convinced the pair will be equals from the start.
While Ocon is eager to beat his new team-mate, Jolyon Palmer is ready to welcome his, with the British driver suggesting his partnership with Nico Hulkenberg will be key to Renault's success in 2017.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz Jr. has explained why it is unfair to judge his boyhood idol, Fernando Alonso, on the amount of world championships he has won.
Closing our latest roundup is F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, who has added the popular Singapore GP to the ever-growing list of races in danger of being dropped from the calendar.