This is the Formula 1 transfer market: many doubts to be clarified and rumours

In the middle of F1’s summer break, which returns next week Zandvoort (August 25-27), the majority of drivers in the highest category of the motorsport world championship must be working on closing their future. There are a total of 12 drivers out of the 20 that make up the current F1 grid who have a contract for next year with their respective teams, however, in the ‘Great Circus’ nothing is guaranteed and everything remains to be seen. At the moment, the F1 transfer market is largely dependent on a renewal of Hamilton being granted and we also need to be very aware of what will happen in Alfa Romeo, Haas, Alpha Tauri and Williams. Meanwhile at Ferrarithe doubt is more than 2025.

Pilots ending contract:

Of the 20 drivers that make up the current F1 grid, up to 8 are not guaranteed places for the 2023 Formula 1 season. These are the F1 drivers who will be out of contract in 2023:

1. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
2. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)
3. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)
4. Logan Sargent (Williams)
5. Daniel Ricciardo (on loan from Red Bull to AlphaTauri)
6. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri)
7. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, close to agreement)
8. George Russell (Mercedes, close to two-year deal)

F1 drivers with contracts for 2024 or beyond:

There are a total of 13 pilots with valid contracts. They are as follows:

1. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo, until 2024)
2. Alex Albon (AlphaTauri, until 2024)
3. Pierre Gasly (Alpine, until 2025)
4. Esteban Ocon (Alpine, until 2024)
5. Lando Norris (McLaren, until 2025)
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren, until 2024)
7. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari, until 2024)
8. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari, until 2024)
9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin, until 2024)
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin, owner’s son)
11. Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez (Red Bull, until 2024)
12. Max Verstappen (Red Bull, until 2028)

Hamilton and Russell in Mercedes

For a bombshell or a major change of important pieces to occur in this 2024 F1 grid market, one must move. But it doesn’t seem like it will be like that. Some have suggested that Lewis Hamilton could leave Mercedes, something that could leave a welcome opening at Mercedes for other big names to move from their current teams. But as Hamilton himself and the head of Mercedes, Toto Wolff, reiterated, everything is ready for the renewal of the Englishman. In fact, the delayed signing may be more of a direct negotiation with Mercedes on issues related to Hamilton’s role as ambassador once he is no longer an F1 driver.

For his part, George Russell also ended his contract with Mercedes this year, per se it is assumed that the young Briton will renew with the stars for two more courses

Daniel Ricciardo and ‘Checo’ Pérez

The fact that there is no movement at Mercedes prevents other drivers from moving from their current teams. The rest of the majors have no expected changes. Although everything is possible.

At Red Bull there is a lot of talk about the possibility that ‘Checo’ Pérez will not continue, but the energy drink group has ratified the Mexican on several occasions. The Milton Keynes team’s aim is to continue with Verstappen, their great leader, and Pérez by their side. Many thought that Ricciardo could take the place from the Mexican in 2024, but Red Bull made it clear that this idea is only possible in 2025. At Red Bull, anything can happen and they have already shown that they can change their mind in the middle .of course, but if nothing unexpected happens, ‘Checo’ should continue as stated in his contract. For his part, it will be necessary to see if Ricciardo, who is currently on loan at AlphaTauri, will continue to drive for the Faenza team or if he will return to his duties as a test driver awaiting a new opportunity with Red Bull in 2025.

Another team that is thinking more about 2025 than 2024 in terms of its drivers is Ferrari. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are under contract until the end of 2024. Sainz has shown his desire to renew as soon as possible, but Ferrari is in no rush. In addition, the international press indicates that Audi (now Alfa Romeo) is very interested in Sainz to lead its F1 project with a long-term contract. As for Charles Leclerc, it is not clear that the Monegasque wants to give Ferrari more of a chance from 2025. He has been waiting for a winning car for a long time and the question is whether Leclerc is confident that they will deliver that champion car once and for all all in all. Of course, there are no free slots at the moment in the champion teams.

Alonso and Lance walk in the Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso has secured his position as full leader of Aston Martin in 2024 and his bosses have already shown their interest in the Spaniard who continues to show his quality beyond 2024 at the helm of the green team. For his part, Lance Stroll must improve his performance against the Spaniards. He is the son of the owner of Aston Martin and his position should not be compromised.

Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas has a contract until 2024 and Zhou Guanyu should be close to signing his renewal. Alfa Romeo is always in favor of continuing with its current driver training for 2024, waiting to find out if they will try to sign Carlos Sainz in the future, thinking of the arrival of the Audi project, which will start in 2026.

What will happen to Logan Sargeant at Williams?

At Williams, Alex Albon is performing at a high level, surpassing Logan Sargean. To replace the young American, Mick Schumacher sounded, with a possible return to the grid of the German, who is currently a test driver for Mercedes.

Tsunoda must continue. And Ricardo?

In AlphaTauri, the good level shown by Yuki Tsunoda was enough to win the renewal for 2024. The question is whether Red Bull will give Daniel Ricciardo to AlphaTauri again in 2024 or if they will bet on a young talent. Alex Palou also sounded for that position, but the Catalan must continue with Chip Ganassi in IndyCar while waiting for a better offer from F1 in the future.

If Ricciardo fails to live up to expectations on his recent return to F1 in place of Nyck De Vries, the Australian driver could be replaced by a young talent from the Red Bull academy, with Liam Lawson on pole.