F1 Silly Season | Perez, Hamilton and Sainz hold the keys

Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen - contract until 2028

Sergio Perez - contract until 2024

At Red Bull Racing, with two drivers under contract for 2024, there seems to be no problem. As a two-time world champion, Max Verstappen is the ideal frontrunner for Red Bull, and with Sergio Perez, there is a good second driver on board who will provide enough points to win the world title in the constructors. Yet things are rumbling. Perez often blames the team when he cannot keep up with Verstappen and there is plenty of speculation in the Mexican media that Verstappen would be favoured. Red Bull will also know where these rumours are coming from, while in addition it is busy trying to boost Perez's confidence. Should Perez want or need to leave, Red Bull has the ideal replacement behind it with Daniel Ricciardo. Ricciardo himself already expressed his desire to finish his career at Red Bull. Another option is Alexander Albon, who shows at Williams that he has matured a lot.

Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton- contract until 2023

George Russell - contract until 2024

All indications are that Mercedes wants to extend Lewis Hamilton's contract and that Hamilton also thinks this is the best option. For a while there was talk of a switch to Ferrari, but those rumours seem to have been nipped in the bud. George Russell still has an ongoing contract and does not seem intent on leaving the German racing stable anytime soon.

Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso - contract until 2024

Lance Stroll - unknown

Fernando Alonso made the switch from Alpine to Aston Martin because the Spaniard did get offered a multi-year deal at the British racing stable. The 41-year-old driver is said to want to continue in F1 even after this deal, and given Aston Martin's performance, this is not surprising. Nothing has been communicated about Stroll's contract by Aston Martin, but considering his father Lawrence is the owner of the team, that spot too seems to be fixed.

Ferrari

Charles Leclerc - contract until 2024

Carlos Sainz - contract through 2024

At Ferrari, both drivers are fixed for 2024, but internally things are rumbling. With the arrival of Frederic Vasseur, much has changed within the team, although a technical head has still not been recruited. This will also create uncertainty among (potential) drivers. Charles Leclerc is still in good standing with Vasseur and Ferrari, and in all likelihood will even extend his contract. The contrast is great with Carlos Sainz, who is said to be dissatisfied since Vasseur's arrival. The Spaniard wants to be number one and could well become that at Audi, where with Andreas Seidl and James Key two acquaintances of his work. In addition, Audi was already successful with Sainz senior. Sainz junior still has a contract with Ferrari, but that too can be bought out.

Alpine

Esteban Ocon - contract until 2024

Pierre Gasly - contract until 2024

A lot of fireworks were expected between the two French drivers beforehand, but Alpine has managed to manage it pretty well between Gasly and Ocon so far. Alpine is not yet fast enough to attack the top and you can also question whether it has the drivers to attack the top, but with two ongoing contracts, it seems unreal that Alpine will be looking for a new driver before 2024.

McLaren

Lando Norris - contract through 2025

Oscar Piastri - contract through 2024

At McLaren, both drivers are fixed for next season and they do not seem to be leaving anytime soon either. Piastri just needs to prove himself in F1 first, while Norris will be looking at his options. Seats at the top teams will not be vacant any time soon, and certainly not to become a front-runner there. With ambitions to become world champion, the Brit will be aiming for that. With Andreas Seidl and James Key, Audi is an interesting project for the future, but given Alfa Romeo's current position and the fact that Audi will not enter F1 until 2026, it seems more logical for Norris to sit out his contract at McLaren and decide where his future lies at the end of that period.

Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas- contract until 2025

Guanyu Zhou - contract until 2023

Alfa Romeo will leave as title sponsor of F1 team Sauber at the end of 2023, which will partner Audi from 2026. That future prospect also sees big names being linked to the brand. Sainz in particular is being linked with a switch, especially considering he is said to be very unhappy at Ferrari. Sainz could step in as a front-runner to the team and steer the racing stable in the right direction towards 2026. Zhou seems a logical casualty given his expiring contract, but the Chinese does bring a lot of Chinese sponsors with him and has also been performing better this year. And are therefore question marks over Bottas' future, but with a contract through 2025, Sauber will then have to invest a lot to break that contract. Besides Sainz, Norris is also mentioned, but the Briton is still fixed until 2025. Norris, if he comes at all, is unlikely to make the switch until 2026. Theo Pourchaire still has Sauber in its Junior Academy, but the Frenchman has been too inconsistent even in his third F2 season. That he will make the move to F1 now seems unlikely.

Haas

Kevin Magnussen - contract until 2023

Nico Hulkenberg - contract until 2024

At Haas, they are very happy with the current line-up and that is not surprising. Whereas in 2022 Magnussen had to pull the cart alone, with Hulkenberg he now has an experienced force alongside him who also picks up the points. Hulkenberg is faster than Magnussen this season, which is remarkable. With his contract expiring, that is not the ideal moment to start losing your duel. On the other hand, Haas is finally at peace and there are not many other candidates for that seat. So it seems likely that Magnussen will be able to extend his contract.

Williams

Alexander Albon - contract until 2024

Logan Sargeant - contract until 2023

With Alexander Albon, Williams has the ideal front-runner in house and it is to be hoped for the Grove-based racing stable that they can retain him. The Thai has an ongoing contract, but his performances have also caught the eye of the bigger teams. Sargeant has not yet proved capable of taking over that role anytime soon. The American still makes too many mistakes and is far away from his teammate in qualifying and races. However, given his potential and the American sponsors he brings with him, his deal can be expected to be extended. Should Albon leave, Mick Schumacher is an interesting option. Like Albon, Schumacher also fell by the wayside one year and could spend a year with a top team as a reserve driver. Toto Wolff could additionally put in a good word for Mick, because with James Vowles, an old acquaintance is now the team boss at Williams.

AlphaTauri

Yuki Tsunoda - contract through 2023

Nyck de Vries - 'multi-year contract'

At AlphaTauri, drivers have to prove themselves every year and so deals are often only for one year. Still, it came out that Nyck de Vries' deal would be a multi-year one, but given the pressure he was under after just a few races, you might still wonder how much that is worth. The Dutchman is not yet equivalent to Tsunoda in 2023 and will probably have to show more to keep his spot for 2024. Tsunoda's contract is expiring, but the Japanese has shown an upward trend again this season. He is taking the team in tow and has still managed to collect some points with the AT04. His contract will most likely be extended. Should a spot become available at AlphaTauri, Liam Lawson and Ayumu Iwasa are first on the list from the Red Bull Junior Team. Lawson is doing good business in Japan where he is second in the Super Formula championship and Iwasa is third in the F2 championship. They will want to pull out all the stops to prove they are worthy of F1.