2023 Driver Speculation

[Chrill]

Yup. It is time.

Oracle Red Bull Racing:
1. Max Verstappen (link) - until end of 2028
11. Sergio Perez (link) - until end of 2024

Scuderia Ferrari:
16. Charles Leclerc (link) - until end of 2024
55. Carlos Sainz (link) - until end of 2024

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team:
44. Lewis Hamilton (link) - until end of 2023
63. George Russell (link) - until end of 2023

BWT Alpine F1 Team:
10. Pierre Gasly (link) - until end of 2024
31. Esteban Ocon (link) - until end of 2024

McLaren F1 Team:
4. Lando Norris (link) - until end of 2025
?. Oscar Piastri (link) - until end of 2024

Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen:
24. Guanyu Zhou (link) - until end of 2023
77. Valtteri Bottas (link) - until end of 2024

Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team:
14. Fernando Alonso (link) - until end of 2024
18. Lance Stroll (link) - until end of 2023

Haas F1 Team:
20. Kevin Magnussen (link) - until end of 2023
27. Nico Hülkenberg (link) - until end of 2023

Scuderia AlphaTauri:
22. Yuki Tsunoda (link) - until end of 2023
?. Nyck de Vries (link) - until end of 2024

Williams Racing:
23. Alexander Albon (link) - until end of 2023
?. Logan Sargeant (link) - pending valid FIA superlicence

Confirmed Retirement:
5. Sebastian Vettel (link)

Confirmed leaving:
3. Daniel Ricciardo (link) - linked to Red Bull as 3rd driver/Ambassador
6. Nicolas Latifi (link) - linked to IndyCar
47. Mick Schumacher (link) - linked to Mercedes as 3rd driver/Ambassador

[Chrill]

Let's get started, huh?

Schumacher to Aston Martin as a potential replacement for Vettel, who looks set to retire:
https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/111516/schumacher-top-of-aston-martin-s-list-to-succeed-vettel.html

Another young talent, Alonso, could also be a potential successor for Vettel, if the German veteran retires:
https://www.planetf1.com/news/fernano-alonso-linked-aston-martin/

This in turn would make room at Alpine for Piastri, who honestly must be in F1 next season. Piastri is linked to Alpine, of course, but also to Williams:
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/alpine-expects-alonso-piastri-2023-decision-around-british-gp-time/10305368/

[Chrill]

With Ericsson winning the Indy 500, I saw several people immediately pitching him as a replacement for Latifi at Williams, Zhou at Alfa Romeo, or Ricciardo at McLaren.

Ericsson is firmly shutting speculation down in Swedish media today:
https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/a/G37PEl/marcus-ericsson-efter-indy-500-aldrig-mer-formel-1
(Translated version here)

When asked about an F1 return:
"- No, I love this. Everyone asks that question, but I've lived in Indianapolis for 3.5 years now and I want to stay as long as possible."

[Chrill]

Perez stays with Red Bull for another two years (end of 2024):
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/perez-signs-two-year-extension-to-red-bull-f1-contract/10314403/

[Chrill]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/szafnauer-confident-piastri-will-race-in-f1-next-year-amid-williams-links/10324491/

Oscar Piastri likely to slot into Williams for 2023, perhaps with a new engine deal included?



https://the-race.com/formula-1/gasly-100-staying-with-alphatauri-for-2023-f1-season/

Gasly definitely staying with AlphaTauri, says AlphaTauri man.

[Chrill]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/gasly-alphatauri-f1-signs-2023-season/10327358/

And now, formal confirmation for Gasly to remain over 2023.

[Chrill]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/aston-martin-keen-for-vettel-to-stay-long-term-as-f1-talks-loom/10328135/

I pretty much assumed Vettel was definitely retiring after this season, but Aston Martin just opened up about hoping for a long-term extension.

[Chrill]

Not only is Herta being connected to a drive with McLaren, BBC journalist Andrew Benson points to both Alex Albon and Sebastian Vettel as potential replacements for the Aussie.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/62119600

[Penfold]

Vettel as a one-year stop gap if Ricciardo leaves at end of '22, I can see the logic in that for McLaren and Seb, but I can't say the same holds for Albon... so then is he doing enough to earn a longer placement? Anyway, sounds like Herta is first choice if testing goes well

[Chrill]

If I was Zak Brown, I'd go for Vettel. Norris+Vettel, perfect mix of youth and experience. He could do 2 years, then retire. By which time someone like Gasly, Sainz, or Schumacher could be on the market.

[Chrill]

Sebastian Vettel is retiring at the end of this season!
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-four-time-champion-sebastian-vettel-to-retire-from-formula-1-at-the.65j625XK4FPq6qf2Qn5gb5.html

We've been sort of expecting it for a bit, but it has now been confirmed. Who will take his seat at Aston Martin?

Alonso and Schumacher have been flouted as potential options. I could also see De Vries, Piastri, Albon, Gasly, or even Ricciardo.

[Chrill]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fernando-alonso-switches-to-aston-martin-f1-team-from-2023/10347079/

Huh. Alonso confirmed at Aston Martin on a multi-year deal (likely 2 seasons, no?). This will definitely put Piastri in the car for Alpine in 2023.

[Chrill]

https://www.facebook.com/AstonMartinF1Team/videos/424000859691760/

And they posted this video in social media of Alonso and Lance Stroll embracing, with the caption "Your 2023 Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team lineup. 💚". I consider this confirmation of Stroll also.

[Chrill]

It seems Piastri had a deal in place to race for McLaren in 2023, but Alpine now claims Piastri as theirs for 2023 (and 2024 if option is triggered). Are we getting our own Palou mess in F1?

McLaren poaches promising young driver from rival, without having an open seat. The driver's name begins with P. It's all too familiar

Alpine seems to say "Piastri will be racing for us in 2023" but also acknowledging "Piastri seems to want to go to McLaren". What a mess.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/alpine-piastri-cant-leave-us-for-mclaren-f1-seat-in-wake-of-shock-alonso-exit-10347648/10347648/

[Chrill]

Piastri says no. This is very Palou-esque:
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/alpine-oscar-piastri-denies-signed-to-race-f1-2023/10347905/

"This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year."

Strong words.

---

Otmar, who lost both Alonso and Piastri in a matter of what feels like minutes, is already flirting with Ricciardo:

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/szafnauer-no-issue-in-bringing-ricciardo-back-to-alpine-f1-team/10348009/

So I guess Piastri to McLaren, Ricciardo to Alpine?