This morning, a seat is now available at Ferrari. This sort of reminds me of 2018, when one thing changed everything. This may just be it. So before anything else, comes out, it is time to predict what I think will happen.
There are a few drivers, who you can expect not to move (apart from one but I will explain) because they are in contract. That is Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Esteban and Ocon George Russell.
So there are a few drivers, who will more than likely stay put. But let's start, from the back of the grid.
ROKiT Williams Racing:
This team, have had real troubles, their lineup has change, with at least one driver since 2017. It has been a hard time and their car has not performed at all.
So, first of all. George Russell, he may be in contract but I cannot see him at Williams next season. I will of course explain the obvious move later.
So that leaves a seat at the team. Nicholas Latifi, will more than likely stay, he has his dad's backing with money but also he is a pretty good driver. It is unknown, how he will perform this season, as it is yet to start. But there is a high chance with Williams needing the money, he will stay.
As for Russell's replacement. Williams have a number of junior drivers, Jamie Chadwick, Dan Ticktum and Jack Aitken. From those, the one with the most experience is Aitken. He was with Renault and their academy for several years. He has constantly performed in GP3/F3 and Formula 2. For him, he has the points to progress to F1, and has the talent and experience.
Where as Chadwick, may have to little experience and not enough license points and Tiktum is extremely controversial due to the attitude he has portrayed. He also likely does not have the points or experience. So Aitken seems logical and understandable
LINE UP: Nicholas Latifi and Jack Aitken
Haas F1 Team:
With Haas, they have had some slight trouble in the last year. The car just wasn't there last year and very big drama with Rich Energy, just being them.
However, they have not changed their line up in several years. They just may next season. Magnussen, is more than likely to stay. He has proven himself, more of a mature driver than anyone expected and he has shown the talent that McLaren saw, but he has just been put in a not great car last year. I do expect him to stay.
But, it is probably time for Grosjean to leave. He has not been there as a driver and there are drivers who can get the points for Haas without a drive. So I think it's time for him to leave Haas and most likely not have a seat in F1.
Even though, there was a moment between Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg. I think, they can get past it, they have been teammates before. So, it can work for them. Hulkenberg, is talented and can easily score points. I can't see why Haas wouldn't want to recruit him. So for me, he has to join the team.
LINE UP: Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg
Alfa Romeo Racing:
This might, just be the year Kimi Raikkonen finally chooses to retire. I think it will be (but I totally said that in 2018 too). So that leaves a seat available.
I think Antonio Giovinazzi, has been doing a good job in his role. But I think it is too early for him to go to Ferrari. Which is why, I believe he will remain at the team for a second season. He would be a good number two option for Ferrari but I don't think he is the right one at this point. But he will remain on the grid with the team.
His teammate, well the Ferrari Driver Academy is where to look. There are so many options for the team to have. But, there is one which stands out. Mick Schumacher. His name is partly the reason for the choice, his dad but Schumacher has clear talent. He may not have been a stand out in Formula 2 last season, but there was a lot of pressure and additionally his stats say he performs better in his second season, due to knowledge that he'd acquired.
He'd likely fit well and it would allow Ferrari to have a few of their young drivers in the grid.
LINE UP: Antonio Giovinazzi and Mick Schumacher
BWT Racing Point F1 Team/Aston Martin:
The team who are set to become a factory team, Aston Martin. Their lineup, it will not change. Lance Stroll is set in stone as a driver at the team for the next how ever many years due to his dad's (Lawrence Stroll) position in the team, as a part owner.
Sergio Perez has explained he plans to stay and the team for a number of years, and as he has a good relationship with the team, I cannot see him axing him from the British outlet.
LINE UP: Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez
AlphaTauri Honda:
Anything could happen with this team. There is a few youngsters waiting for their call up with Red Bull. One of those is Jüri Vips, now he is a very good driver, who has proven himself in several series. A bonus for his desire of being in F1 is that he is with Red Bull, because they love to rush drivers through. So highly likely he will make his debut.
But there is Daniil Kvyat still at the team and he has been performing well. However, he seems to be Marko's favourite person to demote, so a young guys who is talented is a qyick choice for them to make.
Gasly will more than likely stay, he has been doing well and proving himself as a driver. Maybe he won't go to Red Bull again but at AlphaTauri he has been doing a good job.
So, it's a hard pick really on this team until the season starts with F2 and seeing how Vips performs and how Kvyat does in Formula 1. But I feel for now, Vips maybe the option they are looking at with Gasly.
LINE UP: Pierre Gasly and Jüri Vips
Renault Sport F1 Team:
Esteban Ocon, is in contract with Renault, I think the chances of him leaving are very low. So he will more than likely stick with the team, who he will make his debut with this year. Plus, it is unknown but believed he has left the Mercedes Young Driver Programme. So the seat at Mercedes is slightly out of question.
His teammate though? I don't think it will be Daniel Riccardo. Riccardo took a risk going to Renault, one that may have not panned out the way he thought it would. I think he will be made a lot offers, as Ferrari is now and open slot but I'll get to it.
Time to bring in, Valtteri Bottas. He has constantly had one year deals with Mercedes, and this one could be his last because Mercedes seems to be leaning to someone else, at least I believe so.
Bottas has talent and is a good driver, he's won multiple Grand Prix for a reason. He's formed a good relationship with his past and present teammates, so he's a good fit a most teams. I think he will take up the free spot at Renault, he will be hoping for them to be better than they have been. But he may not have as big a choice as expected. I do think he can work well with Ocon ad well, so for 2021 it will be those two.
LINE UP: Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas
McLaren F1 Team:
This is a team who seem to be on their way back but it is a unknown with the midfield. They'll change engine suppliers for 2021 to Mercedes, which was a very well known relationship which worked. With this they bought on board Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz Jr, for 2019. The dynamic worked well and saw them take fourth place but I can't see this staying for 2021.
Lando Norris, will more than likely stay. He's been with them for such a long time and seems to have a good relationship with the team.
But Carlos Sainz Jr, there's another opportunity for him that's likely coming. So, his seat is available. Cue Daniel Riccardo, if McLaren want someone to lead their team back to success find someone who has done it and is still not that old. He's a proven winner and with a good car and a Mercedes engine I think Riccardo could do something. So him moving here isn't out of the realms of possibility.
LINE UP: Daniel Riccardo and Lando Norris
Red Bull Racing Honda:
Red Bull, Max Verstappen is still in contract and they will want to keep him for as long as they can.
If I am honest, I cannot see much change at Red Bull, it seems they may stay put with Alex Albon and Max Verstappen because they seem to be working well and Albon will get a chance to prove himself fully this season for sure.
LINE UP: Max Verstappen and Alex Albon
Scuderia Ferrari:
So this morning, what I expected was confirmed. Vettel is leaving Ferrari, a current unknown destination. As you can all see, i have not put him anywhere new. As, I believe he will retire. In his statement with Ferrari, he talked about reflection that has happened during this time. He's known for being a family person, he has a young family. I think he may have decided that is what he wants. Thats where I see him.
But, of course Charles Leclerc, will stay at the team. He is the clear future of the team. He beat Vettel last season and put a marker down showcasing he was the new number 1 at the team.
There is now so many rumours of who will replace Vettel. I have had this in my mind for a while. It has to be Carlos Sainz Jr. His pervious season at McLaren in 2019 was good, he performed brilliantly and helped produce, finally, a good season for McLaren.
Also this is a number two role, Riccardo is too good to be in a number two role and when he may have started to be in one. He left. I am not saying Sainz should be in a number two role but it would be easier to recruit him as a number two than Riccardo.
It would not be awful if he stayed with McLaren. But when Ferrari come around, it is hard to pass up. I think he would work well with the team. Plus it allows Ferrari to bring youth and something interesting to the team, for sure.
LINE UP: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr.
Mercedes AMG Petronas:
It is sort of clear who I am placing and bidding to go to Mercedes. Even though the news, broke this morning that there a seat at Ferrari. I cannot see Hamilton moving from Mercedes.
With the regulations, being moved to 2022, I think for Hamilton to take all the records, his best option is still Mercedes, they are just a powerhouse in these current regulations. Also, can you really see Hamilton playing number two, to Leclerc?
So his teammate? Let's introduce George Russell. Wolff, has said he wants Russell to be teammates with Hamilton. He's a young driver, involved in Mercedes' Young Driver Programme, which of course they want to be successful, so he is easily a clear option. Russell, is talented and unfortunately, he's in an awful car. He beat both Albon and Norris in Formula 2, and his talent was showcased highly.
The dynamic of Russell and Hamilton, would be interesting, two Brits at Mercedes. But a young driver, the heir to the Mercedes Throne if you like. With Hamilton, the guy who could totally be the statistically the greatest of all time. So it would be interesting and exciting to watch, maybe Hamilton would understand how Alonso felt.
LINE UP: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Of course, these are all predictions. Vettel seems to have just done what Riccardo did in 2018. He's unlocked chaos and a good old silly season.
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