Who are the drivers who will drive the Formula 1 2023 races and who will have to leave?
It’s one of fall’s biggest debates
Before the start of the race in the Netherlands, it was clear that Oscar Piastre would take the driver’s seat at McLaren in 2023, but the AlphaTuri is nonetheless missing a driver, just like Haas, Alfa Romeo and Williams. Another big talking point is Mick Schwamscher, there has been talk that his time at the Ferrari Drivers Academy is over and that he will find it difficult to keep his place at Haas.
But in an interview with German TZ, team manager Gunther Steiner opened the contract extension.
Everything is open, says Steiner.
– It’s about performance.
Will Mick Schumacher lead in the Formula 1 2023 race?
Over the weekend in Italy, he also made it clear that while Ferrari cannot say which driver will drive to Haas in 2023, Mattia Binotto is happy to make a recommendation. Ferrari is still the engine supplier to Haas and several former Ferrari employees work for the American team. The decision on who will be Kevin Magnussen’s teammate in 2023 will be made by Steiner with team owner Gene Haas.
– We talk about it when he comes to Europe after the Italian Grand Prix.
In other words, there will be no announcement on this until mid-September at the earliest.
Alongside Mick Schumacher, there is talk of German Nico Hulkenberg, who has a solid career in Formula One but was a reserve driver for Aston Martin last season, as well as Antonio Giovannazzi. The Italian left F1 after last season, competing in Formula E, as well as driving for Haas during Friday’s practice session. Another option is Robert Schwarzman, a Ferrari simulator driver who drives with an Israeli license. He will lead training on Friday for Ferrari in the United States.
What drivers will drive F1 2023?
Below is a summary of the drivers who will drive F1 2023 and the length of their contracts.
Red Bull
Sergio Perez – contract until 2024
Max Verstappen – Contract to 2028
Suspension: Pre-season, Max Verstappen signed a dream contract worth SEK 500 million a year before the season. Sergio Perez extended his contract earlier this year.
Ferrari
Carlos Sainz – Contract until 2024
Charles Lecerc – Contract to 2024
Suspension: Ferrari tied their drivers until 2024, Sainz signed his contract earlier this year. When does Ferrari want to start negotiations with Charles Leclerc over the future? And how much time does he want to commit to Ferrari? It’s been a bit messy this year.
mercedes
George Russell – Contract to 2023
Lewis Hamilton – Contract until 2023
Suspension: Will Hamilton retire after 2023? It probably depends on what Mercedes can offer. The Briton will turn 38 next year, but dreams of his eighth World Cup title before he wants to do anything else. Russell a contract over several years, and there is talk of two years. There is talk that Daniel Ricciardo could become a reserve driver on the team in 2023 and then compete for Mercedes in 2024.
McLaren
Lando Norris – contract until 2025.
Oscar Piastre – contract until 2024.
Suspension: The team terminated the contract with Daniel Ricciardo who, during his two years with McLaren, had been underperforming and failed to score the points the teams needed to compete for the constructors’ championship lead. Is Oscar Bistre a better option? He has not yet driven Formula 1, but has won Formula 3 and Formula 2 in his debut seasons. A contract dispute between Piastri, Alpine, and McLaren made big headlines during the fall.
Alps
Esteban Ocon – Contract to 2024
?
Suspension: When Fernando Alonso left the team, Oscar Biastri was introduced, but Biastri did not have a valid contract with the team. Now the question is who will take the place next to Ocon. Pierre Gasly is an option, but he has a contract with Alpha Tauri and also doesn’t get along well with fellow countryman Esteban Ocon. It is likely that Daniel Ricciardo will return to the team he drove for before moving to McLaren (but then the team competed under the Renault name). Esteban Ocon has said several times that he would like to see Mick Schumacher as a teammate. Another option is Jack Doohan, as motorcycle legend Mick Doohan, an Alpinejunior.
Alpha Tour
Pierre Gasly – Contract to 2024?
Yuki Tsunaida – 2022
Suspension: Engine consultant Helmut Marko has made it clear that the team will not stop Pierre Gasly if it really wants to leave this year, provided the team reaches an agreement. This becomes convenient because Alpine lacks a driver alongside Esteban Ocon and French Pierre Gasly. Two French drivers in a French stable would be fine of course, but the problem here is that Gasly and Ocon don’t get along well. Marko also explains that the only drivers who can be considered for the AlphaTauri program are Red Bull Academy drivers, such as Liam Lawson and Dennis Hauger. At the same time, AlphaTauri team principal Frans Tost explained that the only driver they want is American Colton Herta, but he does not yet have a super licence.
Alfa Romeo
Valtteri Bottas – Contract to 2023
?
Suspension: Bottas signed a two-year contract already last year, but it is not yet clear who will join him. Zho has good support from China, which is an important market. Alfa Romeo extended its cooperation with the main team Sauber for another season, but left Formula 1.
Aston Martin
Lance Stroll – Contract As Long As My Dad Owns The Team
Fernando Alonso – Contract until 2024
Suspension: Alonso replaces Sebastian Vettel who is ending his career after this year’s season. Alonso has signed a multi-year contract and there is talk of two, with an option for three. The double champion has turned 41 and will not be in Formula 1 forever.
Hass
Kevin Magnussen – Contract to 2024
?
Suspension: Mick Schumacher is still relevant, and his good qualification at Zandvoort doesn’t seem to have dampened his chances. The decision was made by stable director Gunter Steiner and stable director Gene Haas, and they expect to have a conversation about this before mid-September. Steiner wants to see results and performance from Schumacher for the contract extension.
Williams
Alexander Albon – Contract with
?
Suspension: Nicholas Latifi hasn’t scored any World Cup points yet in 2022, but he wants to stay with Williams in Formula 1. He’s competed on the stable for three years without performing, but his father contributes significantly to the stable’s finances. The question is whether Williams benefits more from having Latifi’s father as a patron and driver who destroys more cars than he scores – or a driver who gets more points and may have a smaller financial contribution. Nick de Vries led his team at the Italian Grand Prix and the former Formula E winner is an option. Another is Mick Schumacher.