More and more Formula 1 seats for next year are occupied. View here who will (possibly) drive for which team in 2023 in the premier class of motorsport.
Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton: The seven-time world champion extended his contract with the German racing stable last summer until the end of 2023.
George Russell: The Briton is one of the few drivers on the grid whose contract is unknown. In September last year he signed a multi-year contract with Mercedes, which means that he is still sure of a seat next year.
Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen: Prior to this season, the 24-year-old Dutchman signed a contract with Red Bull Racing until the end of 2028. It is the longest-running contract in Formula 1.
Sergio Perez: ‘Checo’ will remain Verstappen’s teammate with the Austrian team until at least the end of 2024.
Ferrari
Charles Leclerc: Leclerc’s contract with Ferrari runs until the end of 2024.
Carlos Sainz: Sainz is also in possession of a contract with the Italian racing stable that runs for another two years.
Max Verstappen is in possession of the longest-term contract in Formula 1 at Red Bull Racing.
Max Verstappen is in possession of the longest-term contract in Formula 1 at Red Bull Racing. Photo: Getty Images
McLaren
Lando Norris: The 22-year-old Briton has a contract with the team from Woking until the end of 2025.
Daniel Ricciardo (?): In principle, Ricciardo’s contract with McLaren will expire at the end of next year. However, it is not certain that the Australian will actually continue to drive for the British team.
Due to disappointing performances, Ricciardo’s position is under considerable pressure. In July of this year, he tried to quell rumors of a possible departure by stating that he has a permanent contract and will therefore be driving for McLaren next year anyway.
Since then, the rumors surrounding Ricciardo have only grown. According to British media, super talent Oscar Piastric signed a pre-contract with McLaren. Piastri was announced at Alpine in early August but denied signing a contract less than two hours later. As a result, it seems that Piastri has indeed found his salvation elsewhere, and that may be at McLaren.
alpine
Esteban Ocon: The Frenchman’s contract with Alpine runs until the end of 2024.
So there is a lot to do around the second chair at Alpine. Team boss Otmar Szafnauer already announced at the beginning of August that he does not intend to piastry, who has been part of Alpine’s talent program for years, to leave for a competitor. Moreover, according to Szafnauer, Piastri simply has a contract with Alpine.
It is questionable to what extent Piastri’s contract will hold up legally. If he has indeed signed a pre-contract with McLaren and will replace Ricciardo there, a return of Ricciardo obvious at Alpine.
The former Red Bull driver was already employed by Alpine in 2019 and 2020, which was then still the Renault works team. Ricciardo did not make himself popular with team boss Cyril Abiteboul at the time by exchanging Renault for McLaren. But since Abiteboul has also had to clear the field, the way seems clear for Ricciardo to return.
AlphaTauri
Pierre Gasly: The Frenchman extended his contract with AlphaTauri earlier this year until the end of 2023.
As for the second seat, it is likely that the contract of Yuki Tsunoda is extended. The Japanese is in his second season in Formula 1, but is not yet making a convincing impression.
Should AlphaTauri go for another option, then Mick Schumacher possibly a serious candidate. The German is still part of Ferrari’s talent program, but in the long term may have more future at Red Bull than at the Italian racing stable.
Due to the upcoming deal between Porsche and Red Bull, a German driver is by definition interesting for the energy drink giant, especially if his name is Schumacher. Red Bull CEO Helmut Marko has also never made it a secret that he is charmed by the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.
Will Mick Schumacher drive for AlphaTauri next year?
Will Mick Schumacher drive for AlphaTauri next year? Photo: Getty Images
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso: The 41-year-old Spaniard will be the successor of the retiring Sebastian Vettel. He signed a multi-year contract with the British team in early August.
Lance Stroll: The son of owner Lawrence Stroll is sure of a seat at Aston Martin as long as his father is in charge there.
Williams
Alexander Albon: The British Thai’s contract with Williams was extended for several seasons at the beginning of August.
Possibly driving with Nyck de Vries next year another Dutchman in Formula 1. The driver from Sneek is affiliated with Mercedes and already completed a Friday session earlier this year on behalf of Williams, which uses Mercedes engines.
At Williams, De Vries has competition from current driver, among others Nicholas Latific. The wealthy Canadian is in his third season in Formula 1, but still can’t break any pots. The question is to what extent Williams still needs Latifi’s millions, since the team was acquired at the end of 2020 by the American investment company Dorilton Capital.
Also Formula 2 driver Logan Sargeant hopes for a race contract with the racing stable from Grove next year. The 21-year-old American will already take free practice on behalf of Williams later this year in Austin. He thus becomes the first American driver since 2015 to participate in a Formula 1 weekend.
Nyck de Vries already drove a free practice for Williams earlier this year.
Nyck de Vries already drove a free practice for Williams earlier this year. Photo: Getty Images
Alfa Romeo
Valtteri Bottas: The former Mercedes driver has a contract with Alfa Romeo until the end of 2025.
It is obvious that Alfa Romeo will sign the contract of Zhou Guanyu will extend. The Chinese is experiencing a changeable season, but with his millions brought with him, it does have great financial value for the Swiss team.
Hare F1
Kevin Magnussen: The contract of the Dane, who made a surprising return to the American racing stable at the beginning of this season, will expire at the end of next year.
Whether the second seat becomes available at Haas depends mainly on what Schumacher going to do. If Marko doesn’t make the effort to bring him to AlphaTauri, a new season at Haas seems the most logical option.
If Schumacher does leave and Ricciardo To make way at McLaren, Haas is probably the only place the Australian can keep his Formula 1 career alive. In that case, Ricciardo – one of the big earners on the grid – must be prepared to hand in a lot of salary.