With Lando Norris’ contract extension, McLaren has already secured two drivers for 2022. In a year when the rules, and with them the cars, will completely change, stability in your team is a good thing. The Silly Season has started, so it’s time to take a look at the other teams.
Mercedes
Everything is still open at Mercedes. The contracts of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas both expire, and the contracts of the Mercedes juniors Esteban Ocon and George Russell also expire at the end of 2021. So Toto Wolff has a wide range of choices, but doesn’t want to change much. New rules come and the best way to attack them is with drivers who know the car.
From all sides, Ocon doesn’t seem like a likely candidate for Mercedes. Wolff initially let him negotiate with Alpine. Despite all rumors, Hamilton will be the number one candidate for Mercedes to remain the front runner. The second man is the most interesting story.
This fight is between Bottas and Russell. Bottas has been a loyal second fiddle for years, but cracks appear. Bottas did not let Hamilton overtake in Spain, and Bottas fell short in Imola. Russell seems to have more potential but often misses Sundays when there is a chance for points. Wolff is not taking any chances, which suggests he will put Bottas back next to Hamilton in 2022.
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Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull Racing is running out, and with the current package, Verstappen will not want to leave Red Bull any time soon. The team is completely built around him and with a completely new engine department the future looks bright. All you need is the ideal teammate.
On paper, Sergio Perez could be that ideal team-mate. He’s got the speed and experience, and he’s already shown that. Perez can take it to the next level. Pierre Gasly has too many ups and downs so Red Bull won’t be taking him back anytime soon. Yuki Tsunoda also turned out to be far too few to be considered for a promotion.
McLaren
McLaren is the only team that is absolutely certain of having two drivers in 2022. Daniel Ricciardo signed a three-year deal with his new employer last year and Lando Norris recently signed a multi-year deal with the team where he made his F1 debut. A strong line-up for McLaren for years to come.
Aston Martin
No big surprises are to be expected at Aston Martin either. As long as Lawrence Stroll is the owner of the team, there will be a place for his son Lance, and Sebastian Vettel is the team’s figurehead. After a difficult start, Vettel now seems to have found his rhythm. Aston Martin will not part with him anytime soon, a farewell only seems likely if Vettel is no longer interested. Substitute driver Nico Hulkenberg would like to take his place.
alpine
At Alpine they have a two-year contract with Fernando Alonso. If the Spaniard continues to stall, the partnership could end prematurely, but that’s not in his nature. He will do everything he can to help the team develop a great car for 2022 and will be only too happy to be part of it.
Esteban Ocon’s place was up for debate ahead of the season, but the Frenchman is currently the team’s best driver. It seems unlikely that the team will want to replace him. Pierre Gasly is a name that is often mentioned in connection with Alpine and as a French it is not very surprising, but if Alonso is not going and Ocon continues to do so well, as Alpine you have to ask yourself if you want to change that?
Ferrari also seems to be sure of two drivers in 2022. We cannot give one hundred percent certainty about Carlos Sainz’s contract that he will also be active in 2022, but his performance in 2021 does entitle him to a second year. Charles Leclerc still has a contract for the next season, so Ferrari can fully concentrate on 2022.
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AlphaTauri
At AlphaTauri there is always a coming and going of drivers, so it’s always difficult to predict who will be in the car next year. Yuki Tsunoda was considered a great talent and showed it in Bahrain. After that, however, he had a lot of mediocre performances, so that he is under pressure again.
Pierre Gasly is a certainty for AlphaTauri and with the rule changes coming, he could be the man AlphaTauri needs to keep to design the new car. The question is whether Gasly wants to stay with no prospect of a move to Red Bull himself or whether there are other teams who want the French.
With Jehan Daruvala, Juri Vips and Liam Lawson, Red Bull has three Formula 2 drivers who are hoping to switch to Formula 1. Young Lawson is most likely to do so in Bahrain after his win and third place on the first race weekend. Lawson will also drive in the DTM with Alexander Albon in 2021. A good test for the New Zealander to show that he has the speed.
Alexander Albon would be a good replacement for Pierre Gasly if he leaves. Albon knows the car well, will test a lot this year and has one and a half years of experience with Red Bull Racing. A stable group that might be able to support a younger talent.
Alfa Romeo
Everything is still open at Alfa Romeo. The contracts of Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi expire at the end of 2021. Giovinazzi has got off to a good start in 2021 and is increasingly becoming the front runner at Alfa Romeo. With his Italian passport and connection to Ferrari, it seems only logical for Alfa Romeo to keep him for 2022. Especially if he manages to continue this performance.
Kimi Raikkonen has been written off for several years, so let’s not do that too quickly for 2022. Even so, Kimi will be 42 this year, and maybe it’s time for some fresh blood? Raikkonen himself would like to retire at some point. With Kimi, however, you never know, and chances are Fred Vasseur gives him the choice.
The question is who will replace Raikkonen? Callum Ilott has tested for the team and would like to switch. That would make the team a Ferrari B-Team, but Vasseur would give it more money. The same applies to a possible arrival of Robert Shwartzman. There are also more experienced options like Nico Hulkenberg and possibly an Alexander Albon who are now on the sidelines. Alfa Romeo will probably wait a very long time to see whether another driver might become available on the market. Do you think of Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas or Esteban Ocon if they don’t get a new contract?
Haas
For Haas, it seems pretty certain that Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will also be active for the team in 2022. It was a long-term project the team started and it would be strange if either of them got dumped right away. Schumacher also has a multi-year contract and Mazepin’s father is the team’s main sponsor.
Williams is the unknown starter for 2022. The team has lagged behind in recent years, but with the new owners and big investments, the team wants to find its way back to the front. There is also talk of talented drivers. They are supposed to help the team to get ahead, in contrast to the pay drivers in recent years.
In that regard, it seems like a simple equation that Nicholas Latifi will leave by the end of the year. The Canadian has been behind Russell for over a year now and won’t be the driver to quickly score points for the team. Williams will search the market for new talent to fill this position.
Williams would like to keep George Russell. The Briton gives the maximum amount in the car on Saturday and gets better and better on Sunday. However, his fate is in the hands of Mercedes. If Mercedes gets it, Valtteri Bottas will be available. He has raced for Williams in the past and could see opportunities to build that team and submit to his will.
In addition to Bottas, there are many drivers who are interesting for Williams. Just like Alfa Romeo, Williams will wait for developments from other teams. Ocon, Hulkenberg and Perez could also be interesting options for Williams.
Prediction of the Formula 1 starting field in 2022
Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton / Valtteri Bottas
Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen / Sergio Perez
McLaren: Daniel Ricciardo / Lando Norris
Aston Martin: Sebastian Vettel / Lance Stroll
alpine: Fernando Alonso / Esteban Ocon
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc / Carlos Sainz
AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly / Yuki Tsunoda
Alfa Romeo: Antonio Giovinazzi / Robert Shwartzman
Haas: Mick Schumacher / Nikita Mazepin
Williams: George Russell / Nico Hulkenberg
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