Formula 1: 2021 lineup taking shape, but much remains unknown

Take a look at the updated 2021 Formula 1 driver lineup following Williams’ double confirmation of George Russell and Nicholas Latifi for next year.

Just two races into the 2020 Formula 1 season, Williams teammates George Russell, a second-year driver, and rookie Nicholas Latifi confirmed that they are set to return to the Grove-based team for the 2021 season, as both are currently competing under “multi-year” contracts.

This confirmation made Williams the fourth of 10 teams to confirm their entire driver lineup for next year. Where does that leave the 2021 driver lineup?

The other three teams that have confirmed their driver lineups for the 2021 season are Ferrari, McLaren and Renault. These three teams already had Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and Esteban Ocon, respectively, under contract for next season.

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Set to join these three drivers are Carlos Sainz Jr. (from McLaren), Daniel Ricciardo (from Renault), and Fernando Alonso (from retirement). These moves leave Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel without a confirmed seat for next year.

Two of the other six teams have one driver under contract for next year, with those two teams being Red Bull and Racing Point (set to become Aston Martin). Max Verstappen is under contract with the former while Sergio Perez is under contract with the latter, although recent speculation suggests that Perez could still be replaced in favor of Vettel. Red Bull’s other driver is Alexander Albon.

Aston Martin’s other driver is Lance Stroll, the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, hence the speculation that Vettel would replace Perez and not Stroll.

As for the rest of the grid, four teams have not confirmed anything for next year. Those four teams are Mercedes, AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo and Haas.

It is all but confirmed that Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will return to the Silver Arrows next year, especially with Russell, a Mercedes junior driver, out of the picture for a seat at the works team.

As for the other three teams, it’s anybody’s guess. AlphaTauri’s current drivers are Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly, two former Red Bull drivers who were demoted to the sister team, while Alfa Romeo’s current drivers are Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi and Haas’ current drivers are Kevin Magnuseen and Romain Grosjean.

There has been speculation linking Vettel to each of these three teams should the rumored move to Aston Martin not work out.

If that move does come to fruition, we could see Perez or Stroll end up with one of these three organizations. Haas have already hinted that they may go with a pay driver next year instead of retaining the same duo for five straight seasons. If not Haas, Alfa Romeo Racing would appear to the option.

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So even with four teams having completely confirmed their driver lineups for the 2021 Formula 1 season, up from zero just over two months ago, there are plenty of seats which have not yet been confirmed for next year.

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