The world of Formula 1 is constantly changing, and one of the most exciting parts of each season is seeing which drivers will be staying with their teams and which ones will be moving on. As the 2023 season gets underway, fans and experts alike are already looking ahead to the end of the year, when a number of big-name drivers will be out of contract. Will they stay with their current teams, or will they move on to new challenges? In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some of the drivers who are facing uncertain futures and speculate on what might be next for them.
Number 1. Lewis Hamilton
Initially, it seemed like Lewis Hamilton’s contract renewal with Mercedes for the 2024 season would be a smooth process, with many indications pointing towards an agreement being reached before the start of the season. However, as a few months have passed, it has become apparent that the situation may not be as straightforward as initially assumed. Hamilton will have to contend with a problematic Mercedes car that does not appear to provide him with the opportunity to compete for his eighth World Championship title. While there is little reason to be concerned about Hamilton’s future with the team, his recent criticism of Mercedes after the Bahrain Grand Prix may only add fuel to the rumors surrounding his potential retirement.
Number 2. Nyck de Vries
De Vries’ impressive stand-in performance for Albon at Williams during last year’s Monza race earned him not only his debut points in Formula 1 but also a full-time drive with AlphaTauri, the sister team of Red Bull. At 27 years old, De Vries has already won titles in multiple racing categories including World Karting, Formula Renault, Formula 2, and Formula E. It will be intriguing to witness how his impressive resume holds up on the biggest stage of motorsports, Formula 1.
Number 3. Yuki Tsunoda
Tsunoda expressed his surprise at being offered a second season in Formula 1 after a rocky start to his debut year in 2021. However, Tsunoda’s progress in conjunction with Pierre Gasly at AlphaTauri resulted in him receiving a crucial third season in F1 2023, which could be the defining moment of his career.
Franz Tost, the team principal who has supervised the development of many drivers in Red Bull’s junior program, recognizes that Tsunoda’s performance in the upcoming season is entirely up to him.
Number 4. Logan Sargeant
After an eight-year hiatus, the United States will finally have another driver on the F1 grid, as Logan Sargeant steps up to replace Nicholas Latifi as Alex Albon’s teammate in 2023. Sargeant will have an opportunity to make a name for himself, particularly in his home country, by demonstrating improvement and competitiveness against his experienced teammate. If he does so, James Vowles, the team’s chief strategist, will have a straightforward decision to make for the 2024 season. However, if Sargeant fails to impress, there will be no shortage of other drivers vying for his spot.
Number 5. Kevin Magnussen
Making a return to Formula 1 in 2022, Kevin Magnussen put on an impressive performance in Bahrain, securing fifth place in what Guenther Steiner called a “f***ing Viking comeback”. He joined Haas on a multi-year deal as a replacement for Nikita Mazepin, who was sacked. With one more year left on his contract, Magnussen will be striving to showcase his talents and secure his place with the team for whom he has already competed for five years in Formula 1.
Number 6. Nico Hulkenberg
After making a few cameos as Aston Martin’s reserve driver, Hulkenberg secured a permanent spot in the team, edging out Mick Schumacher to partner Magnussen in F1 2023. Although the duo had some disagreements in the past, they will form one of the most seasoned driver line-ups on the grid.
Number 7. Zhou Guanyu
Last season, Guanyu Zhou made an impressive debut for Alfa Romeo by scoring points in his first race. This achievement solidified his potential as a driver who had recently graduated from Formula 2. Zhou’s performance alongside his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, was impressive enough to earn him another year with the team for the upcoming F1 2023 season. However, with highly-rated Sauber youngster Théo Pourchaire and German driver Mick Schumacher potentially waiting in the wings, Zhou will need to prove his worth and consistency if he is to remain with the team. This will be crucial as Sauber/Alfa Romeo makes its transition towards becoming an Audi factory team. It will be an exciting season to see whether Zhou can meet the expectations placed on him, especially with the highly-rated young drivers waiting in the wings.
