Silly Season for the 2020 Formula 1 season is set to heat up in the coming weeks. Here is a way-too-early driver lineup prediction.
Nine of the 21 races on the 2019 Formula 1 schedule have been completed, and with mid-July being upon us and the halfway point of the season being just a few weeks away, Silly Season is really set to heat up in the very near future.
Several of the 20 active drivers do not have contracts to continue driving in Formula 1 for the 2020 season, and even some who do face uncertain futures due to potentially triggering clauses in their contracts to opt out.
Before Silly Season really starts to get rolling and driver confirmations for the 2020 season start being made on a fairly regular basis, here is a brief way-too-early brief driver lineup prediction for next year.
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport
Lewis Hamilton is under contract with Mercedes through the 2020 season and has shown no signs of slowing down, nor has he hinted of retirement. (no change)
Valtteri Bottas is in another contract year with the Silver Arrows, marking three consecutive contract years for the 29-year-old Finn, but they have no need to rush a youngster into his seat to effectively try to fix what isn’t broken when he is performing at the highest level of his Formula 1 career. (no change)
Scuderia Ferrari
While there have been retirement rumors surrounding Sebastian Vettel, he is under contract with Ferrari through the 2020 season and the rumors are nothing more than that at this point — rumors. (no change)
Charles Leclerc is in only his first season driving for Ferrari and is under contract with the team through at least the 2022 season. (no change)
Aston Martin Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen is perhaps the most discussed driver as far as a potential move to Mercedes to replace Valtteri Bottas, but he is still under contract with Red Bull Racing through the 2020 season and should not consider triggering a clause or clauses in his contract to leave given the success the team have had in their first season using Honda engines after ending their 12-year partnership with Renault.
Red Bull Racing were willing to give Daniil Kvyat another chance with Toro Rosso this season after Toro Rosso released him during the 2017 season, and he has done a solid job so far in 2019. The former Red Bull Racing driver has several years of experience in Formula 1 and did a lot better of a job during his first stint at the Milton Keynes-based team than he is typically given credit for, so don’t be surprised if he gets a true second chance. (from Toro Rosso)
McLaren
Carlos Sainz Jr. signed a multi-year contract with McLaren ahead of the 2019 season, and given the fact that he is the current “best of the rest” driver in seventh place in the driver standings behind the six Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull Racing drivers as well as the fact that McLaren have had their best season in several years, he had no reason to get out of that deal even before McLaren recently confirmed him for the 2020 season. (no change)
Lando Norris also signed a multi-year contract with McLaren ahead of the 2019 season, and he trails only Sainz Jr. for the unofficial “best of the rest” title in the driver standings. McLaren have previously blocked moves that would have sent the 19-year-old Briton elsewhere, and he is set to return the Woking-based team next year after signing a contract to remain there through the 2022 season. (no change)
Renault
Daniel Ricciardo is under contract with Renault through the 2020 season, and after he gave up his ride at Red Bull Racing to join the French manufacturer, there is no reason to believe that he will walk away after just the first season. (no change)
Nico Hulkenberg is in a contract year driving for Renault, but his performance over the last few seasons should be enough to warrant a contract extension. Team managing director Cyril Abiteboul seemed optimistic about retaining the 32-year-old German for the 2020 season. (no change)
SportPesa Racing Point
Sergio Perez hasn’t lost a teammate battle since his first season driving for Racing Point (then Force India) back in the 2014 season. Why try to replace the face of the team? (no change)
Lawrence Stroll led a consortium that purchased Racing Point last August and Lance is reportedly a key part of the team’s future after signing with them ahead of the 2019 season. (no change)
Alfa Romeo Racing
Kimi Raikkonen is under contract with Alfa Romeo Racing through the 2020 season and has no plans to retire early. (no change)
Antonio Giovinazzi has not been as good as Raikkonen throughout his first season driving for Alfa Romeo Racing, but his progression throughout the season thus far is quite clear. Expect him back with the team next year. (no change)
Rich Energy Haas
Haas have struggled in the 2019 season, but Kevin Magnussen has still managed to record two top seven finishes, both as the “best of the rest” driver. The sport’s lone American team have no reason to replace him unless they start to improve and he cannot show that improvement on the track. (no change)
Romain Grosjean saved himself from being released by Haas after last season with a strong second half, and he is on the hot seat once again. He will need a strong second half to the 2019 season as well to keep pace with Magnussen, but given Haas’ struggles so far this year, a poor second half may not completely do him in as far as his future with the team is concerned. (no change)
Scuderia Toro Rosso
Pierre Gasly was simply rushed to Red Bull Racing after just one season driving for Toro Rosso, and his lackluster performances have shown it. He could benefit from at least another season at the Red Bull Racing junior team. (from Red Bull Racing)
While Alexander Albon has been impressive in his rookie season, Red Bull Racing should look to avoid making the same mistake they made with Gasly with him by rushing him to Red Bull Racing. Expect them to keep him at Toro Rosso for a second season. (no change)
ROKiT Williams Racing
George Russell has gotten the most of a disastrous situation at Williams in his rookie season, and Mercedes believe that the current Mercedes junior driver can be of their future drivers. Expect them to back his entry with the Grove-based team once again in 2020. (no change)
Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff wants Esteban Ocon in Formula 1, and if there is no space at the factory Mercedes team and Renault refuse to sign him, he could end up as the teammate to fellow Mercedes junior driver Russell at Williams. (from not in Formula 1)
Driving in 2019, missing from 2020 driver lineup prediction
More from Formula One
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- Formula 1 awaiting key confirmation for 2024 season
- Formula 1: The ‘championship’ Max Verstappen only leads by 3 points
Robert Kubica has struggled in his first Formula 1 season since 2010, only managing to beat Russell in one qualifying session or race so far this season (French Grand Prix race). It is hard to see Williams bringing him back for a second season. (from Williams)
Conclusion
After an offseason during which six of Formula 1’s 20 drivers left the sport and six of the 14 drivers who remained change teams, this year’s offseason is shaping up to be slightly less chaotic. That said, there is still quite a bit of variability with some of these possibilities, and there is typically a lot more that goes into most of these decisions than it might appear on the surface.
What are your predictions for how the 2020 Formula 1 driver lineup will look?