F1 Updated Driver Market 2022: Question Marks Remain After Hamilton’s Extension

With Lewis Hamilton securing two years at Mercedes that he will see him on the grid till 2023, it’s time to see the other drivers whose future holds a mystery in F1.

The world of Formula One is very uncertain and can change as quickly as the eye can blink. So, we might see a few switches in the paddock and a few exits as well when the new season dawns on us.

What more can happen in the F1 driver market?

Let’s start at the top with Mercedes, who, just today, have announced that Hamilton will be on the grid for two more years. While this made the biggest news in recent times, it also led to one of the biggest questions related to driver lineups – who will take the coveted second seat at the Silver Arrows?

As Lewis‘ teammate Valtteri Bottas runs out of contract at the end of this season, there is growing speculation that Williams’s George Russell will get his seat; he is a part of Mercedes’ junior driver program and also runs out of contract at the end of the year.

Similar to the Stuttgart outfit, Red Bull, too, have their star driver, Max Verstappen, staying with them till 2023. His new teammate, Sergio Perez, who joined this year, has been exceptional and is likely to get a contract extension.

McLaren need not worry as Lando Norris recently signed a multi-year deal, and Daniel Ricciardo has his future tied to the Woking-based outfit till 2023.

At Aston Martin, Sebastian Vettel is enjoying his time with the Silverstone-based team and his podium in Baku will certainly get him a new deal. In the other side of the garage, Lance Stroll runs out of a contract this season. However, being the son of the owner, Lawrence Stroll, it’s hard to see him being let go by the team.

Alpine have ensured that Frenchman Esteban Ocon will stay at the team will 2024. The two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, on the other hand, is expected to renew his deal, as he brings years of experience to Alpine.

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How’s the rest of the grid doing?

Ferrari don’t have any tensions related to contracts as Charles Leclerc has a deal with the Scuderia till 2024. And Carlos Sainz, who just signed this year, has a contract till 2023.

Down at AlphaTauri, rookie driver Yuki Tsunoda has a deal till 2021 and is likely to get a new deal at the end of the season. His teammate, Pierre Gasly, also runs out of a contract at the end of the season and is rumored be in talks with other teams on the grid.

This might give a chance to Alex Albon to make a comeback in F1 with Red Bull’s sister team.

At Alfa Romeo both Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi run out of contract at the end of this season. There are rumors that this might be the Finn’s last season in F1, and his teammate’s seat is also shrouded by a cloud of uncertainty. The key players who might be given this seat are Callum Illot, Guanyu Zhou, Nico Hulkenberg, or even Mick Schumacher, who is a Ferrari junior.

Haas have two rookies driving for them this season, with Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin. Both have their contracts up at the end of the season, but it is likely that Schumacher and Mazepin extend their stay to get more experience in the sport.

Lastly, Williams, both Russell and Nicholas Latifi have their deals ending at the end of the season. However, Russell does have an option to join Mercedes, who haven’t confirmed their second driver yet. Meanwhile, Latifi might get a new deal and potentially drive alongside the likes of Jack Aitken or Hulkenberg.

Read More: Did Aston Martin Tease Contract Announcement for Vettel After Hamilton’s Mercedes F1 Extension?