The F1 2023 season will not begin until March, but ‘silly season’ is never far away regarding driver moves – and this year will be no exception.
With 2022 bringing about completely new regulations in Formula 1, most teams opted for continuity in their driver line-ups and few drivers’ contracts expired at the end of last season.
But this time around, we can currently count a total of seven drivers whose contracts are set to end at the conclusion of 2023, with most of the grid either tied down beyond the end of the year or their contractual status not officially confirmed by their teams – George Russell’s “long-term contract” with Mercedes and Alex Albon being with Williams for “2023 and beyond”, as shows of undefined examples.
As we have seen in the past, contracts in the sport are not always fulfilled when drivers do not perform as expected, or wish to make a move elsewhere – just ask Daniel Ricciardo about this situation for F1 2023.
But don’t worry, each driver has a contract to be on the grid next season – but here is a full rundown of whose deal is due to expire at the end of the year.
Lewis Hamilton
Don’t expect to see Hamilton’s name on this list for too long, if the noises from Mercedes and the man himself are to be believed.
The seven-time World Champion has made it clear he wants to get back to the top of Formula 1 after his first ever winless season in the sport last year, and both he and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said they will be hashing out a new contract over the winter to take him beyond the end of the F1 2023 season.
Logan Sargeant
America’s newest Formula 1 driver will be given a chance to impress at Williams next season, as Sargeant makes the step up from Formula 2.
He’s opted to choose the number 2 to run on his car for his career as well, and he will need to perform well alongside Alex Albon if he is to earn another year in the premier class, having been selected ahead of Nicholas Latifi for the second seat at the team.
Nyck de Vries
A sterling effort on his stand-in performance for Albon at Williams at Monza not only earned De Vries his first points on debut in Formula 1, but a full-time drive with AlphaTauri next season in the process.
The 27-year-old has won titles in pretty much everything else he has raced in on his way up to Formula 1 (World Karting champion, Formula Renault, Formula 2, Formula E…), but he will finally have his chance to shine in Red Bull’s junior squad next year.
Yuki Tsunoda
Tsunoda admitted his surprise at even being given a second season in Formula 1 after a troubled first half of his rookie year in 2021, but a general improvement in showing alongside Pierre Gasly at AlphaTauri earned him what could be a make-or-break third year in F1 2023.
Team principal Franz Tost knows one thing or two about driver development, having seen many come and go through Red Bull’s junior ranks, and he acknowledged that what comes next for the young Japanese driver depends “solely on him” for the season ahead.
Kevin Magussen
Magnussen returned to Formula 1 with what Guenther Steiner described colorfully as a “f***ing Viking comeback” with an excellent P5 finish in Bahrain, returning to the sport on short notice on a multi-year deal to replace the sacked Nikita Mazepin at haas
He is under contract for another season with the team, and will be looking to impress to be kept on with a squad he has already represented for five years in Formula 1.
Nico Hulkenberg
‘Hulkenback’ was made permanent after a series of cameo appearances as Aston Martin’s reserve driver, with Hulkenberg being chosen over Mick Schumacher to partner Magnussen at Haas next season.
The duo did not always get on in the past, but between them they will form one of the most experienced driver line-ups on the grid in F1 2023.
Zhou Guanyu
A points-scoring debut for Zhou at Alfa Romeo underlined his potential after his move up from Formula 2, and he impressed enough alongside Valtteri Bottas to be given another year with the team for F1 2023.
But with highly-rated Sauber youngster Théo Pourchaire waiting in the wings and looking for a drive, Zhou will need to prove his worth at the team if he is to continue for another year.
Driver contracts secured beyond F1 2023
red bull
Max Verstappen: 2028
Sergio Perez: 2024
Ferrari
Charles Leclerc: 2024
Carlos Sainz: 2024
Mercedes
George Russell: “Long-term contract” of unconfirmed length signed for start of 2022 season.
Alpine
Pierre Gasly: 2024 with an option for 2025
Esteban Ocon: 2024
McLaren
Lando Norris: 2025
Oscar Piastri: 2024
Aston-Martin
Fernando Alonso: 2024
Lance Stroll: Ongoing
Alfa Romeo
Valtteri Bottas: 2024
Williams
Alex Albon: Contract for “2023 and beyond”
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