Formula 1 2021: These are the driver changes for 2021

Rarely did the Silly Season get underway so early in Formula 1 as it did last year. No race had been run in 2020 and the first major changes were already made.

Early Silly Season

It all started with Ferrari announcing that the team would not continue with Sebastian Vettel and chose Carlos Sainz. as his replacement. Daniel Ricciardo then saw his chance to move from Renault to McLaren.

For a long time Vettel's future was up in the air. Would he go back to Red Bull? Or would he go to Renault? Eventually, Aston Martin found a loophole in Sergio Perez's contract and the German was chosen to replace him. Fernando Alonso was brought back by Alpine after two years of absence to replace Ricciardo.

Red Bull's choices

With all these shifts, the grid for 2021 was already largely determined, but at Red Bull and AlphaTauri it remained unclear for a long time. Only Max Verstappen's spot was certain. At Alpha Tauri Pierre Gasly was allowed to stay, but Alexander Albon had to leave the field after disappointing results. Eventually Perez was hired as Verstappen's new teammate.

These drivers are leaving Formula 1

Besides Alexander Albon, another Red Bull driver will have to find a new employer: Daniil Kvyat. The Russian has driven for Alpha Tauri and Red Bull Racing since 2014, but was no longer able to convince the team management. At Haas, both drivers had to leave the team. Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen were long-time team favorites, but have to make way for young talent.

These are the new guys we will get this season

Three drivers will (probably) make their Formula 1 debut in Bahrain. For Alpha Tauri it is the young Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda. Helmut Marko expects a lot from him. Tsunoda drove in Formula 2 last year and finished third in the championship with three victories.

The other two rookies are at Haas. Firstly, in the form of Mick Schumacher a big name returns to Formula 1. The son of seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher became Formula 2 champion last season and will hope to one day achieve the same in Formula 1. His teammate is Nikita Mazepin. The Russian is a controversial figure but brings a huge financial backing with him.

The complete line-up for 2021

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 Jr.
AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly / Yuki Tsunoda
Alfa Romeo : Kimi Raikkonen / Antonio Giovinazzi
Haas: Mick Schumacher / Nikita Mazepin
Williams Racing: George Russell / Nicholas Latifi

* Hamilton has yet to officially sign with Mercedes