Will Russell be announced at Silverstone as a Mercedes driver for 2022?

Where the first races of the season it was often the youngsters who made an impression with strong performances, like Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly, the race in Baku was one where the old guard once again made their presence felt. Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel were respectively on the first and second step of the podium and Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen had strong races.

Silly season

So it seems most drivers are still strongly in the saddle before the annual silly season of the driver's market erupts. Joe Saward gives his own blog a look at his expectations. "Sergio Perez's victory in Baku will no doubt have secured his place at Red Bull Racing in 2022 and Pierre Gasly and, presumably, Yuki Tsunoda are under contract to Scuderia AlphaTauri for next year."

Saward also foresees few free spots elsewhere: "Esteban Ocon will stay where he is and we can expect an announcement to that effect at Paul Ricard, while little seems to be changing at Alfa Romeo at the moment either."

Bottas out?

Still, there is one team where a seat will most likely become available, and that is one of the interesting teams: "It may take a bit longer for Mercedes to make a decision. For now it looks like Lewis Hamilton will return, probably for another one-year contract in 2022 and it is a matter of public speculation as to who will take the other Mercedes. I have a feeling there could be some wild celebrations during the British GP weekend."