The summer break is approaching in Formula 1, which means that drivers who do not yet have a contract for next year can talk to the teams to find a seat. GPblog gives an overview of all drivers who have already secured a starting place.
So far, eleven drivers have signed a contract for the next year. Then there are Lance Stroll and George Russell, because it is very certain that the two will start for Aston Martin, Mercedes and Williams.
Mercedes
Mercedes has hired a driver so far: Lewis Hamilton. The Briton signed a two-year contract a few weeks ago and will still be behind the wheel of the Mercedes in 2023. It is not yet clear who his teammate will be, but it will be between Valtteri Bottas and Russell. Bottas has to show what he can to drive a sixth season for Mercedes, while Russell wants to take Williams’ step into a top team.
Red Bull at least knows that Max Verstappen will drive for the team in 2022. Sergio Perez has only signed one contract for 2021, but if his performance on the track is good and he can help Verstappen win the world title, his place doesn’t seem to be in great danger. Dangerous outsiders who could potentially take his place are Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon.
McLaren is one of four teams that already know what the line-up will look like for the next season. The British team will keep Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo.
Aston Martin
Sebastian Vettel has a contract for 2022, Stroll officially not yet. Though it’s only a matter of time before it’s official that the Canadian will ride for the team his father Lawrence Stroll owns.
alpine
Just like McLaren, Alpine will keep both drivers. Fernando Alonso has been brought back to the team with which he won the world championship in 2005 and 2006 and will continue to drive for them in 2022. Esteban Ocon recently signed a contract extension that will keep him on the team until 2024.
Ferrari also saw no reason to change the line-up. Like Ocon, Leclerc has a contract until 2024, Carlos Sainz will continue to drive for Scuderia at least until 2022.
AlphaTauri
Pierre Gasly is having an excellent season and team principal Franz Tost would love to see the Frenchman when the new regulations come into effect when the new regulations come into effect, but nothing has been signed yet. Yuki Tsunoda had a difficult start to his F1 career but is unlikely to be relegated after one season. Up-and-coming Red Bull Juniors Juri Vips, Liam Lawson and Jehan Daruvala are not yet ready to move to F1.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo has a luxury position. The team currently consists of two drivers who have been with the team for three years. But neither is under contract for 2022. Kimi Raikkonen could drive his last year, but has not yet given any clarity about his future. Antonio Giovinazzi would like to stay on the team. Other options are: Bottas, if he has to leave Mercedes, Mick Schumacher, although he is under contract with Haas, and a large number of Ferrari juniors or drivers who want to get back on the starting line-up.
Basically, both Nikita Mazepin and Schumacher are under contract with the American team. However, recent rumors suggest that Schumacher may be in talks with Alfa Romeo if he wants to make the move.
Williams
At Williams, it will mostly depend on what George Russell is doing. The Briton is in the hot seat at Mercedes and could well make the change. Should that happen, it is an option for Williams to bring Bottas back to the team. Nicholas Latifi would like to stay on the team, but his future is still uncertain. Other drivers like Nico Hülkenberg and Nyck de Vries also seem to have a chance of a seat on the British team.
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