Silly season 2022: Who is guaranteed a seat next season?

So far there are eleven drivers on the grid with a contract for next year. You could add Lance Stroll and George Russell to that, as it is very certain that the two will race for Aston Martin and Mercedes or Williams respectively.

Mercedes

Mercedes has committed one driver so far: Lewis Hamilton. The Briton signed a two-year contract a few weeks ago and will still be behind the wheel of the Mercedes in 2023. Who his teammate will be is not yet known, but it will be between Valtteri Bottas and Russell. Bottas needs to show his worth to drive for Mercedes for a sixth season while Russell wants to make the step from Williams to a top team.

Red Bull Racing

Red Bull at least knows that Max Verstappen will drive for the team in 2022. Sergio Perez has signed a contract for 2021 only, but if his performance on track is good and he can help Verstappen to the world title his place doesn't seem to be in much danger. Dangerous outsiders who could potentially take his spot are Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon.

McLaren

McLaren is one of the four teams who already know what the lineup will look like next season. The British team will keep Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo.

Aston Martin

Sebastian Vettel has a contract for 2022, but Stroll officially doesn't yet. Though it seems only a matter of time before it's official that the Canadian will drive for the team his father Lawrence Stroll owns.

Alpine

Just like McLaren, Alpine will keep both drivers. Fernando Alonso was brought back this year to the team he won the world title with in 2005 and 2006 and will also drive for them in 2022. Esteban Ocon recently signed a contract extension which will keep him with the team until 2024.

Ferrari

Ferrari also saw no reason to change the lineup. Leclerc, like Ocon, has a contract through 2024, while Carlos Sainz will still drive for the Scuderia at least through 2022.

AlphaTauri

Pierre Gasly is having an excellent season and team principal Franz Tost would like to see the Frenchman driving for AlphaTauri when the new regulations come into effect, but nothing has been signed yet. Yuki Tsunoda had a difficult start to his F1 career but is unlikely to be relegated after one season. Up-and-coming Red Bull juniors Juri Vips, Liam Lawson and Jehan Daruvala are not yet ready to make the switch to F1.

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo has a luxury position. The team currently has two drivers who have been with the team for three years. But neither of them are under contract for 2022. Kimi Raikkonen could be driving his last year but has not yet given any clarity on his future. Antonio Giovinazzi would love to stay with the team. Other options are: Bottas, if he has to leave Mercedes, Mick Schumacher, although he is under contract at Haas and a host of Ferrari juniors or drivers looking to get back on the grid.

Haas F1

Basically, both Nikita Mazepin and Schumacher are under contract with the American team. But recent rumours suggest that Schumacher could be in talks with Alfa Romeo should he wish to make the switch.

Williams

At Williams, it will mainly depend on what George Russell does. The Briton is in the hot seat at Mercedes and could well make the switch. Should that happen it is an option for Williams to bring Bottas back to the team. Nicholas Latifi would like to stay with the team, but his future is still uncertain. Other drivers like Nico Hulkenberg and Nyck de Vries also seem to have a chance at a seat with the British team.

 

 

 

 

 

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