Update on the 2020 Formula 1 grid

Saying end of season means fewer free seats. Indeed, the tradition in Formula 1 is to confirm drivers after the summer break. We are 2 Grand Prix from the end of the season and there are officially only 3 spots available on the 2020 grid. The big loser this year is Nico Hülkenberg, not retained by Renault and still without a drive for next year.

A brief overview of Formula 1 drivers in 2020:

Mercedes

The German firm has its two drivers for the next season. With Lewis Hamilton under contract until the end of 2020, there was uncertainty regarding the choice of his teammate. Toto Wolff decided to renew Valtteri Bottas before the Spa-Francorchamps round. The choice of stability was made by favoring the Finnish driver over Mercedes’ young protégé, Esteban Ocon.

Ferrari

The Ferrari driver duo will remain unchanged for 2020. Charles Leclerc is tied to the Italian brand until 2022. Rumors of retirement or team change have surfaced some time ago in the paddock regarding Sébastian Vettel’s future. However, his contract runs until the end of next season with Scuderia. The four-time Formula 1 world champion will indeed drive a red car next season.

Red Bull

Max Verstappen will still be a Red Bull driver next season. As for Alexander Albon, he does not officially have a seat with Red Bull next year. However, given his performances since joining the Austrian team and the low probability of Pierre Gasly’s return, he is on the right track to keep his seat.

McLaren

The English team is the first to have officially announced its line-up for next season. It has decided to retain Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris. The two drivers have very good relationships on and off the track.

Renault

Daniel Ricciardo, who joined the French team this year, still has one year left on his contract with the brand with the diamond logo. He will therefore be a Renault driver in 2020.

The big move comes from Esteban Ocon, the young French driver, protected by Mercedes, who has been recruited by Renault for 2 years with an additional optional year as a bonus.

Racing Point

The two current drivers are being retained for next season. Sergio Perez signed a contract extension until 2022 during the Belgian Grand Prix. As for Lance Stroll, he remains a driver on the team owned by his father Lawrence Stroll.

Toro Rosso

The Red Bull satellite team will probably be called AlphaTauri next season. Helmut Marko, the sports advisor for Red Bull Racing, confirmed in Singapore that Daniil Kvyat will be in the AlphaTauri car next year.

Pierre Gasly is under contract until 2020 with the energy drink brand. He is officially in the running for the second seat at Red Bull, but this seems unlikely given Alexander Albon’s satisfactory performances. The young Frenchman is expected to be retained at AlphaTauri next season.

Alfa Romeo

Kimi Räikkönen has a seat for 2020. The news comes from his teammate Antonio Giovinazzi, who just signed his contract extension a few days ago. The Italian will indeed continue alongside Räikkönen despite fairly disappointing performances this year (4 points, compared to 31 for the Finn).

Haas

Like many teams this season, Haas has relied on stability for 2020 by retaining its driver duo. After much uncertainty about Romain Grosjean’s presence in the American team next season in favor of Nico Hülkenberg, the choice was indeed to keep the French driver within the Haas team alongside Magnussen. The Danish driver is still under contract.

Williams

George Russell will be in the Grove seat next season. After the announcement of Robert Kubica’s departure, no driver has been officially confirmed, and the seat remains vacant for now. Nicholas Latifi is highly anticipated to replace him. The 24-year-old Canadian, son of the co-owner of McLaren, is currently second in the F2 championship.

Brief summary of transfers for the upcoming season: