![]() ![]() ![]() Who else is in the frame for Helmut Marko, who oversees Red Bull’s driver choices? Engine partner Honda would love to see a Japanese driver in one of their cars and Yuki Tsunoda, currently lying fourth in this year’s Formula 2 championship, certainly fits the bill. The Russian has already been dropped by both Red Bull teams during his F1 career and trails the head-to-head this year against Gasly. The current driver most in danger of losing his seat in the Red Bull family is probably Daniil Kvyat. In contrast, Albon made a positive start for Red Bull in the latter part of the 2019 season but has been struggling in both qualifying and the races this season against Verstappen. Alexander Albon and Pierre Gasly are also likely to retain a seat for 2021, but in which team? Racing alongside Max Verstappen is clearly a difficult job in a team increasingly centered around the Dutchman Gasly was out of his depth in the early part of 2019 but has since found excellent form with Toro Rosso/Alpha Tauri. At the start of the year, the 9-time winner signed a contract that will keep him at Red Bull until the end of 2023. At present, the only driver from the Red Bull stable with a confirmed contract for 2021 is star driver Max Verstappen. Given that the two teams share the same ownership – and have been known to swap drivers around – it makes sense to consider Red Bull and Alpha Tauri’s driver prospects together. What next for Vettel? Retirement is clearly an option for a driver who has nothing left to prove, though he may yet find a home elsewhere on the grid in 2021 – see below. After a dismal start to this season, many insiders are even questioning whether Vettel will see out the year in a team where he is increasingly unhappy. Vettel’s place will be taken by current McLaren driver Carlos Sainz, who has impressed with a string of solid results of late and been rewarded with an initial 2-year contract at Ferrari. ![]() In contrast, 4-time World Champion Vettel will be leaving the team at the end of this year after not being offered a new contract. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas has signed a 1-year extension to remain at Mercedes until at least the end of 2021, ensuring stability on the driver front at one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history.Īfter joining Ferrari in just his second season in Formula 1, Charles Leclerc’s giant-killing performances against his much more experienced teammate Sebastian Vettel last year earned him a new 5-year contract that will see him stay at Maranello until at least the end of 2024. Earlier this month, Hamilton stressed that he was not talking to other teams and was keen to continue with Mercedes but felt uncomfortable negotiating “a big contract” in the current economic climate. Lewis Hamilton is yet to agree terms on an extension of his contract at Mercedes, which ends at the end of this season, though it seems highly unlikely that the 6-time World Champion won’t sign on for at least one or two more years. Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton & Valtteri Bottas Key moves have already been announced in the 2021 Formula 1 drivers’ market, but many seats are still yet to be filled on next year’s grid and the plans of a certain 4-time World Champion are still up in the air. Sainz to Ferrari, Ricciardo to McLaren, Alonso to Renault. ![]()
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