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Formula 1: Way-too-early 2021 driver lineup prediction

By Asher Fair

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 17: Valtteri Bottas driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 leads Alexander Albon of Thailand driving the (23) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB15 and Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR14 Honda at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 17, 2019 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 17: Valtteri Bottas driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 leads Alexander Albon of Thailand driving the (23) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB15 and Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR14 Honda at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 17, 2019 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 12: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Rokit Williams Racing FW42 Mercedes and Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy driving the (99) Alfa Romeo Racing C38 Ferrari (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 12: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Rokit Williams Racing FW42 Mercedes and Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy driving the (99) Alfa Romeo Racing C38 Ferrari (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /

Alfa Romeo Racing

Antonio Giovinazzi

Even after a rough start to his rookie season in 2019, Ferrari kept their faith in Antonio Giovinazzi, and they backed him to return to Alfa Romeo Racing in 2020 because of the improvements he made throughout the year. If he can build upon that progress in 2020, he should be back for a third year with the team.

Sebastian Vettel

After another incident-filled season in 2019, Sebastian Vettel needs to get with the program in 2020, as it is a contract year for him. Unfortunately for him, that doesn’t seem likely. Assuming he doesn’t retire after 2020, Alfa Romeo Racing seems like the most likely destination for him, likely as the replacement for Kimi Raikkonen, who could retire after 2020. If Vettel does retire, don’t be surprised to see current Formula 2 driver and Ferrari Driver Academy member Mick Schumacher end up here, perhaps even as Giovinazzi’s replacement if Raikkonen sticks around.

Haas

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Kevin Magnussen

Kevin Magnussen should again prove to be the better of the two Haas drivers in 2020, and that should result in another contract extension.

Nico Hulkenberg

Haas could find themselves in a position to admit that they made a mistake by retaining Romain Grosjean for another season, and they can do so by signing Nico Hulkenberg, who they nearly signed before extending the contract of their long-time driver for 2020. Then again, Grosjean’s poor performance hasn’t resulted in his removal from the team so far, so what he needs to do to return is unclear.

Williams

George Russell

Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams, in response to rumors that Mercedes junior driver George Russell would drive for Mercedes in 2021, stated that he is tied to the Grove-based team runs through 2021. While he is technically not considered to be under contract with the team, as Mercedes are believed to be able to pry him away if need be, Mercedes’ driver situation suggests that yes, he will be back with Williams again in 2021.

Nicholas Latifi

Robert Kubica was whitewashed by George Russell in 2019, failing to outqualify him in any of the 2021 races. Nicholas Latifi certainly looks poised for more success than that in his rookie year in 2020, and that coupled with his financial backing should be enough to keep him at Williams in 2021.

Next. Top 10 Formula 1 drivers of all-time. dark

Will this 2021 Formula 1 driver lineup prediction look anything like that actual 2021 driver lineup? The 2020 season hasn’t even started yet, and it isn’t scheduled to do so for almost two months, with the Australian Grand Prix scheduled to kick things off at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia on Sunday, March 15.

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