Formula 1: 2021 lineup update after Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari mayhem

Following Sebastian Vettel’s announcement that he will be leaving Ferrari and the mayhem that ensued, here is an updated look at the 2021 Formula 1 driver lineup.

The 2020 Formula 1 season still has not gotten underway as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped 2021 Silly Season from getting started, perhaps even earlier than it would have had the season gotten underway as planned back on Sunday, March 15 with the Australian Grand Prix.

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel opened things up last week by announcing that he and Ferrari could not come to terms on a new agreement and that he will be walking away from the team following the 2020 season.

Shortly thereafter, Carlos Sainz Jr. was tipped to make the move from McLaren to replace Vettel, and Daniel Ricciardo, who had been seen as another frontrunner to replace the 32-year-old German, was tipped to make the move from Renault to replace Sainz.

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Both moves have since been confirmed.

But that doesn’t mean that Silly Season is over, or even close to being over, although Vettel’s Ferrari seat had admittedly been the one that many fans had their eyes on for the last several months with speculation building that the day would come when it would be confirmed that he wouldn’t be back next year.

There are just eight drivers under contract for the 2021 season following this week of mayhem. Here is a look at how things stack up for next year, as well as what is still uncertain.

2021 confirmed

Ferrari

• Charles Leclerc (through 2024)
• Carlos Sainz Jr. (from McLaren; through 2022)

Red Bull Racing

• Max Verstappen (through 2023)

McLaren

• Lando Norris (through 2022)
• Daniel Ricciardo (from Renault; through 2022)

Renault

• Esteban Ocon (through 2021)

Aston Martin

• Sergio Perez (through 2022)

Williams

• George Russell* (through 2021)

* = believed to have out clause in his contract due to ties to Mercedes

2020 confirmed, not under contract for 2021

Mercedes

• Lewis Hamilton
• Valtteri Bottas

Ferrari

• Sebastian Vettel (won’t return to Ferrari)

Red Bull Racing

• Alexander Albon

Aston Martin (Racing Point)

• Lance Stroll

AlphaTauri

• Daniil Kvyat
• Pierre Gasly

Alfa Romeo Racing

• Kimi Raikkonen
• Antonio Giovinazzi

Haas

• Kevin Magnussen
• Romain Grosjean

Williams

• Nicholas Latifi

The 2020 Formula 1 season is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, July 5 at the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix, although that situation remains fluid as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It is unknown how many races will be contested this year, and at which venues on which dates.