The 2022 F1 season is set to be the start of a new era. A completely different set of rules intended to ensure closer races. A new world champion in Max Verstappen and of course the anger after the finale at the Abu Dhabi GP last season make the new season even more interesting.
At the same time, however, several driver contracts will inevitably expire at the end of the 2022 F1 season, which should at least lead to movement on the driver market. The possibility of riders changing teams makes the summer slump interesting, and in this article we’re predicting the top three rider moves we’ll see this season.
#1 Pierre Gasly replaces Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin
As the year draws to a close, we take the time to look back on our return to the #F1 grid.
From taking the AMR21 onto the track for the first time, to capturing that first F1 podium, it has been an honor to share every moment with you.
As the year draws to a close, we take the time to look back on our return to the #F1 grid. From taking the AMR21 onto the track for the first time, to capturing a maiden F1 podium, it’s been all one Honor to share every moment with you 
Pierre Gasly is stuck at Alpha Tauri. The French rider has raced at a very high level whenever there is no hint of his promotion to Red Bull. It seems that the dream of driving for Red Bull’s senior squad, which Gasly was able to fulfill in his second F1 season, may have worked against him for the time being.
However, as the door of the senior Red Bull team closes, a door appears to be opening for the French driver and that’s the one at Aston Martin. Sebastian Vettel’s contract expires at the end of the season. The German has received positive feedback from the team but his overall performance last season wasn’t his best.
Nearing the end of his career, Vettel may not be the best option for Aston Martin at the moment and with Gasly available for the 2023 F1 season, the team could opt for the Frenchman as a future driver.
#2 Oscar Piastri replaces Fernando Alonso at Alpine
Fernando Alonso is in the last year of his contract with Alpine. Although the Spanish driver has shown he hasn’t lost any of his talents or skills to drive an F1 car at the age of 40, Alonso isn’t in F1 just to even out the numbers. He’s in F1 to fight for pole positions, wins and championships.
Still, Alpine doesn’t appear to be a team capable of producing a championship car at this time. The team just got rid of Marcin Budkowski and with so much instability at the top, it’s hard to imagine Alpine being a championship contender for the 2022 season.
With that in mind, we could look to Alonso, who will be racing in Formula 1 for the last time in his career, as the Spaniard would be retiring from the sport for good due to lack of competitive machines at his disposal.
With Oscar Piastri waiting in the wings at Alpine, the Australian will be a straight swap for the Spaniard as the grid will unfortunately lose the F1 legend.
#3 Lewis Hamilton leaves Mercedes and retires from F1
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Our predictions assume George Russell will be more than a match for Lewis Hamilton. With Mercedes eyeing the future, George Russell will get some much-needed support from the German team and Lewis Hamilton, finding less and less support from the team, would eventually leave the German team and retire.
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