August was not without news in the world of Formula 1as the summer holidays drew to a close and drivers moved from the beach to the race track again . }
It all started with the shocking announcement that Fernando Alonso would take over the seat of Aston Martin's near-retirement Sebastian VettelStill, an acclaimed test driver It's easy to simply promote Oscar Piastri to the top table, isn't it? Very dramatic and solid no.
The Australian, who was announced as Alpine's driver for 2023,has not signed any contracts and has said he does not intend to race for the team next year. Rumors about where he will end up next have made an alleging statement and sparked a series of riots.
McLarenWilliams. What does that mean for the future of Daniel Ricciardo and Nicholas Latifi? And while Alpine claims the deal with Piastri is still in effect, what about the current state of play where the waters are most definitely murky.
With F1 returning to Spa next week and a 'silly season' in full swing, the current Constructors' Rankings The Independent looks at the current driver market as a grid. increase. 2023 begins to take shape.
Red Bull
Max Verstappen – Contractually safest driver on the grid. The 24-year-old signed a new contract worth around £40million a year until the end of 2028 before the start of this season.
Christian Horner is to blame for tying up the Belgian-Dutch superstar for his decade.
Sergio Perez – The Mexican, who joined last year to replace Alex Albon, has extended his leader's contract with the Constructors this year after winning the Monaco Grand Prix in May. .
The 32-year-old is under contract with the team until the end of the 2024 season, which would take him to his 14th consecutive season in Formula 1.
2023 Verdict: Final
Ferrari
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His Maranello commitment to his project is unwavering, with his contract running until the end of 2024, ending his first season with the team, when he signed for 2019.
Carlos Sainz – The Spaniard, who replaced Vettel in 2021, signed a new two-year contract with him in April, which was extended until 2024. increase.
The former Toro Rosso, Renault and McLaren driver capped this off with a number of impressive performances, including his first win in his 150th race at the British Grand Prix in July. I back it up.
2023 Verdict: Confirmed
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz both stay Ferrari until 2024
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton – The seven-time world champion, who is under contract until the end of next season, achieved his 300th Grand Prix mark in France last month. Opposite.
The 37-year-old is likely to follow Fernando Alonso into his 40s in Formula 1. However, it will not come this year.
George Russell – Hamilton's new teammate has shined with consistency in this top five this season, signing a 'long-term deal' with his Arrows at Silver. Year 2023.
With his maiden pole in Hungary, his next goal is clearly to win his first race.
2023 Verdict: Confirmed
Alpine
Fernando Alonso – Summer Impact. The 41-year-old, his two-time world champion, will surprisingly join Aston next year as he signs a 'multi-year deal' with Martin and Alpine no longer gets his driver for 2023. .
takes us to the Piastri saga. With Alpine believing they have a deal and Piastri saying there is no deal, the story is likely to play out at the FIA's contract approval committee over the next few weeks.
The Australian is believed to be in talks or already under contract with McLaren as his driver to race or test in 2023. Daniel Ricciardo's contract issues are also mixed in. Candidates for Alpine if Piastri does not sign include Ricciardo himself, Pierre Gasly and Mick Schumacher.
Esteban Ocon – After his first win in Hungary last year, the Frenchman has signed his three-year deal until the end of 2024.
Alpine is very reassuring that at least one spot is secured.
2023 Verdict: Skyward
Oscar Piastri insists he won't race at Alpine next year This suggests that he has an agreed contract elsewhere
(Getty Images)
McLaren
Lando Norris – The 22-year-old, in his fourth season at McLaren, has extended his contract until the end of the 2025 season before the start of the current season.
But the decision that Norris commits to the next three-and-a-half years as McLaren has not given 'Best of the Rest' Norris a car to regularly challenge for the podium Some people question
Daniel Ricardo – This is where things get interesting. After a disappointing season, Ricciardo issued a statement last month claiming his McLaren contract would last (at least) until the end of next season and that he "will not be away from the sport".
However, there are rumors that Piastri is under contract with McLaren. Speculation is rife that Ricciardo, who was said to be committed to a deal with Piastri by McLaren, is asking for $21 million to end his contract early.
Already one scenario for him is that in 2023 he will be signed by Piastri as a test driver, knowing a race seat will materialize in a year's time. But sacrificing a debut year in Formula 1 for a team currently four points behind Alpine in the constructors' standings seems like an odd choice.
2023 Verdict: Floating in the Air
(AFP via Getty Images)
Alfa Romeo
Valtteri Bottas – After five years at Mercedes, the Finnish driver joined Alfa earlier this year and is believed to be on a 'multi-year deal' with the team until 2024. I'm here.
His 32-year-old, with a guaranteed long-term future, looks to be succeeding in getting the burden of being Hamilton's teammate off his shoulders.
Zhou Guanyu – The rookie scored points in his first race in Bahrain, his only one since then, though at the British Grand Prix. I experienced an almighty crash.
Technically, the Chinese driver is only under contract for the rest of the season. However, at least his 2023 extension is likely, and was hinted as such last month by Alfa's managing his director, Frederick Vasser.
2023 verdict: almost certain
Haas
Kevin Magnussen – Turns around for Dane. Relegated to Haas at the end of 2020, he was given a lifeline earlier this season when the team unloaded Nikita his Mazepin following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
He started the season in his 5th place excellent, and in his ranking of drivers he is 11th.
Mick Schumacher – The German's contract now expires at the end of this season, although his contract is expected to be extended.
The son of F1 legend Michael scored his first points finish at Silverstone, a significant step up from last year. That said, the longer it goes without agreement, the more uncertain the solution.He has also been mentioned as a long-odds candidate for the reserve slot for Alpine.
2023 Verdict: Middling
Mick Schumacher Still Signing Contract Extension at Haas No
(AFP via Getty Images)
AlphaTauri
Pierre Gasly – Frenchman signed a new deal with Red Bull's sister team in June, extending his stay until the end of 2023.
would be a logical move for the 26-year-old and not his second chance at Red Bull. However, he could be an option for Alpine.
Tsuonda Yuki – In his second season with AlphaTauri, the Japanese driver has shown good pace this season, especially in qualifying, just five points behind his teammate. is showing.
But his contract expires at the end of this year - whether the enthusiastic 22-year-old has done enough to deserve his third season at the top of his table. I don't know yet.
2023 Verdict: Uncertain
Aston Martin
Sebastian Vettel – The four-time world champion retired at the end of this season, withAlonso already announced as his replacement for 2023 as a surprise.
Lance Stroll – There was no separate announcement regarding the Canadian's deal, but news of Alonso confirmed that the Spaniard will race alongside Stroll next year. rice field.
Team Stroll, son of his owner Lawrence, will race in Formula 1 for his seventh consecutive season next year.
2023 Verdict: Final
Fernando Alonso has decided to join Aston Martin
(PA)
Williams
Alex Albon – The former Red Bull driver is an F1 driver who recently signed a new contract, which will be renewed for "2023 onwards".
He enjoyed being the number one driver and in the worst car on the grid he scored three points.
Nicholas Latifi – The future of Canadians is highly uncertain. He has not scored points this year and in Formula 1 he has only scored points twice in three years. Racer Logan Sargent. Piastri could also be a last resort after McLaren and Alpine.
