F1's Driver Transfer for 2021 grid

F1 driver transfer market: the state of the 2021 grid

With eight seats still officially open on the grid next season, where are the final places heading in F1 2021?

Mercedes

Confirmed: Valtteri Bottas

Likely: Lewis Hamilton

The dazzling still-open seat on the 2020 Formula 1 grid remains F1's most prized, and Lewis Hamilton has yet to sign an extended contract with Mercedes.

Despite the relative delay of the process (the world champion had never signed up before for the next F1 season after September), everything indicates that it is a question of when not the F1 world champion and the team sit down to negotiate. a new deal, so Hamilton. joins Valtteri Bottas, whose own deal was renewed last month, for 2021.

Red Bull

Confirmed: Max Verstappen

Likely: Alex Albon

Having tied Max Verstappen to a new multi-year deal last winter, the only question regarding Red Bull's lineup in 2021 has surrounded Alex Albon.

But the team has insisted that speculation throughout the season that they might consider a trade with fit Pierre Gasly, or even change their tried-and-tested recruiting approach by looking for their own stable in Sergio Perez or Nico Hulkenberg, it has been promoted by the media and not by them.

Albon's maiden podium and a good weekend at Mugello are likely to have further consolidated that position.

Mclaren

Confirmed: Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris

Announced as early as May on the lockdown carousel involving three teams, Daniel Ricciardo will replace Carlos Sainz, who will head to Ferrari, alongside Lando Norris next year. Simple.

Racing Point (Aston Martin in 2021)

Confirmed: Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll

The move the sport had been anticipating was finally confirmed on the eve of the last Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel joins in to replace Sergio Perez as the high-profile signing for the full return of the Aston Martin name to the grid.

Lance Stroll is staying for the third season and will face a world champion for the first time in his short career.

Renault (Alpine in 2021)

Confirmed: Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon

After two years competing in other racing disciplines, Fernando Alonso returns to F1 with the team that made him a household name and double world champion in the mid-2000s. Esteban Ocon will be in the second year of his contract with the team, which from next season will be known as Alpine.

Ferrari

Confirmed: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz

A new youth era for the Scuderia was confirmed when they decided to dispense with the services of four-time champion Vettel for 2021 during the lockdown, with Sainz joining the now-established Leclerc in Maranello.

AlphaTauri

Confirmed: None

Likely: Pierre Gasly

In the frame: Daniil Kvyat, Yuki Tsunoda

The first of the teams with two technically open slots for 2020, although Pierre Gasly's position is almost assured unless the Red Bull senior team suddenly changes their mind on Albon. However, Daniil Kvyat's seat looks considerably more vulnerable as Yuki Tsunoda, a Honda-backed Red Bull junior, wins races in F2.

Alfa Romeo

Confirmed: None

In the frame: Kimi Raikkonen, Antonio Giovinazzi, Mick Schumacher, Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg, Robert Shwartzman, Callum Ilott

Two seats and, on paper, countless potential combinations for them. The expected wisdom is that the Swiss team will once again pair an experienced hand with a younger teammate, backed by Ferrari. The team's recently improved form may have been timely for discussions with former world champion Kimi Raikkonen, but 2021 free agents and former Sauber drivers Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg may also feature.

Antonio Giovinazzi could be vulnerable to one of three junior Ferraris vying for the title in F2, where Mick Schumacher now leads the way.

Haas

Confirmed: None

In the frame: Romain Grosjean, Kevin Magnussen, Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg, Robert Shwartzman, Callum Ilott

With team boss Guenther Steiner who recently told Sky F1 that it made sense that any driver signing for 2021 would also have to be on board for the 2022 rule changes, it's no surprise that Haas is taking his time to consider your options. Like Alfa Romeo, there seem to be plenty of them at both ends of the experience scale.

Williams

Confirmed: George Russell and Nicholas Latifi

Significant changes in team ownership and management, but the drivers will remain on board for the next season, when George Russell enters the final year of his three-year contract and Nicholas Latifi begins the second year of his contract.