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It’s settled: All 10 Formula 1 teams confirm 2023 driver line-ups, bar one exception


It's settled: All 10 Formula 1 teams confirm 2023 driver line-ups, bar one exception

The Formula 1 2023 grid is almost fully decided, with multiple drivers set to leave the sport entirely at the end of the year and some new – and old – faces due to enter.

‘Silly season’ is one of the key features of the F1 calendar, with the annual ‘musical chairs’ of the drivers filling seats inevitably leaving some without a drive, while securing moves up and down the grid for others.

The top three teams in the Constructors’ Championship – Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes – have settled driver line-ups, as has Alfa Romeo.

But for McLaren, Alpine, Aston Martin, AlphaTauri, and Haas, there will be a new face in the mix.

The American team confirmed its line-up on the eve of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, leaving Williams the only team with an open seat, although it is one that already has Logan Sargeant’s name penciled in.

Here’s the current state of play among the possible 2023 grid.

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Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have struck up something of a partnership at Red Bull, with the Mexican keeping pace with his teammate in a way Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon could not, first earning a renewal for 2022 before signing fresh terms until the end of 2024 .

Perez staying at Red Bull has shut a few doors on others looking to partner Verstappen at the head of the field, but it is a settled partnership next season for the Milton Keynes squad.

Max Verstappen: Signed mega contract at Red Bull, keeping him there until 2028.

Sergio Perez: Penned a two-year extension until 2024 in Monaco.

Max Verstappen (left) and Sergio Perez

Ferrari

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz formed Ferrari’s youngest-ever driver line-up when they linked up for the first time in 2021. Leclerc’s future was already sorted on a long-term basis, with Sainz coming in on an initial two-year deal.

Sainz beat his teammate in the points standings last year, and his strong performances have earned him two more years with the Scuderia, meaning both drivers’ contracts will run out at the same time.

Charles Leclerc: Previously signed long-term deal until the end of 2024.

Carlos Sainz: Signed contract extension to last until 2024.


ferrari,f1,formula 1,formula one

Carlos Sainz (left) and Charles Leclerc

Mercedes AMG

The Mercedes driver line-up of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will be in place again for another season in 2023 after first joining forces ahead of the 2022 campaign.

With Russell set to be part of the Mercedes furniture for many years to come, all eyes will once again be on Hamilton and whether he will extend his stay with the Silver Arrows beyond 2023, or decide to bring his legendary career to an end and pursue other interests.

Lewis Hamilton: Contract signed until the end of 2023.

George Russell: Signed ‘long-term deal’ in 2022.


Lewis Hamilton,george russell,f1,formula 1,formula

George Russell (left) and Lewis Hamilton

McLaren

After a summer break full of speculation, the very last day of the hiatus produced the news that surprised nobody: Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren are to part company at the end of 2022. It was officially by “mutual consent”, but even Ricciardo admitted the team had made the decision.

His replacement was finally announced after a Contract Recognition Board hearing declared McLaren the only team with a valid contract for Oscar Piastri’s services. He’ll be a rookie in 2023, signing a multi-year contract.

Lando Norris, meanwhile, has earned himself a four-year deal with McLaren that reportedly put him in the top three earners in F1; such has been his rise.

Lando Norris: Future secured with McLaren until 2025.

Oscar Piastri: Signed multi-year deal.


Oscar Piastri, alpine, f1, formula 1, formula one

Oscar Piastri

Alpine

Esteban Ocon earned himself a multi-year extension with Alpine last year after an excellent start to life alongside the returning Fernando Alonso, taking his first race victory in the process.

Two-time former World Champion Alonso shocked the F1 world with an abrupt announcement that he would be joining Aston Martin for 2023. 2021 Formula 2 champion Piastri was initially announced by Alpine for 2023, only for the driver himself to say he will not be driving for the team! As mentioned above, Piastri is on his way to McLaren instead.

In the hunt for a new driver, Alpine turned their sights on Pierre Gasly, but needed AlphaTauri to agree to release him from his current deal. They did so, Alpine confirming Gasly at Suzuka.

Esteban Ocon: Signed a three-year contract extension to take him through to 2024.

Pierre Gasly: Signed a multi-year deal starting in 2023.


Pierre Gasly, alphatauri, f1, formula 1, formula one

Pierre Gasly

Aston-Martin

Both Aston Martin drivers were out of contract at the end of the year, and there was a lot of intrigue in the paddock when Sebastian Vettel announced he would be retiring from the sport when his deal expires at the end of 2022.

Rumors were rife as to who would replace the four-time World Champion, but the team moved quickly to secure the services of Alonso from Alpine just a few days later – with a key piece of the F1 2023 puzzle falling into place.

In less shocking news, Lance Stroll was also confirmed as the other half of the Aston Martin line-up as part of the Alonso confirmation.

Fernando Alonso: Signed on a ‘multi-year’ contract to replace Vettel.

Lance Stroll: Confirmed as Alonso’s teammate.


DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 21: Third placed Fernando A

Fernando Alonso

Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas left Mercedes when Russell was brought in as his replacement alongside Hamilton, moving to Alfa Romeo on the first multi-year contract of his career, giving the 10-time race winner the security he has craved in F1.

In the lead-up to the Singapore Grand Prix, Alfa Romeo announced their line-up will remain unchanged for the 2023 season as Zhou Guanyu signed a new one-year contract extension.

Valtteri Bottas: Signed on a deal “for 2022 and beyond”, thought to run until 2024.

Zhou Guanyu: Signed a new one-year contract extension.


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Valtteri Bottas (left) and Zhou Guanyu

AlphaTauri

The driver situation at AlphaTauri was an interesting one. Gasly had already been signed, confirmed and confirmed again to the Red Bull program until the end of 2023. Then, Helmut Marko suddenly had a change of heart and said it was okay if he left, but only if AlphaTauri could find the right driver to replace him.

They did that, signing 2022 Italian Grand Prix points-scoring debutant Nyck de Vries, the driver confirmed as Gasly’s replacement moments after Alpine announced they’d signed the Frenchman.

De Vries’ teammate had already been confirmed, AT keeping faith with Yuki Tsunoda for a third season. But, as Franz Tost has already pointed out, a driver should be given three seasons to prove himself, and 2023 will be Tsunoda’s third.

Nyck de Vries: Signed what looks to be a one-year deal for 2023.

Yuki Tsunoda: Handed a third season with Red Bull’s junior team.


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Nyck de Vries

Williams

Alex Albon has been confirmed for a second season with Williams, given a multi-year contract after scoring all of the team’s points before the summer break in 2022.

Nicholas Latifi has largely played second fiddle to Albon, and the Canadian’s F1 journey will now come to an end following the conclusion of the 2022 campaign.

Williams Academy driver Logan Sargeant is set to replace Latifi for 2023, with team boss Jost Capito confirming his seat if he secures the required Super License points from the end of the current Formula 2 season.

Alex Albon: Signed on a multi-year contract from 2023 onwards.

Logan Sargeant: To make F1 debut if he gains sufficient FIA Super License points.


Logan Sargeant, williams, f1, formula 1, formula one

Logan Sargeant

haas

Kevin Magnussen was drafted back into F1 after the abrupt sacking of Nikita Mazepin before the start of the season, and he slotted seamlessly back into the sport. His future is secure beyond the end of the year.

He’ll have a new teammate next season as Haas announced they wouldn’t be renewing Mick Schumacher’s contract and have instead signed the “solid, reliable racer” that is Nico Hulkenberg. After three seasons without a full-time race seat, he’ll be on the 2023 grid.

Kevin Magussen: Re-joined Haas on a “multi-year deal” in 2022.

Nico Hulkenberg: He’s back on the F1 grid for 2023.


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Nico Hulkenberg