SERGIO PEREZ is one of 14 F1 drivers out of contract in 2024.
The sport is on course for a chaotic summer next season as drivers are dropped and change teams in a major shake-up.
With six races remaining in 2023, Max Verstappen looks set to win his third straight world title.
However, the contract situation of more than half the drivers means next year is looking far less certain.
Whilst Verstappen is tied down to a long-term deal with Red Bull, his team-mate Perez is out of contract in 2024.
Perez’s situation is expected to impact on much of what happens with other drivers.
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The Mexican is reportedly unlikely to sign a new deal with Red Bull and could prompt them to secure his replacement early.
Although McLaren and Mercedes have their drivers contracted beyond the end of next season, the rest of the spots on the grid are seemingly up in the air.
Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are yet to pen new contracts but are both expected to commit to extensions.
Fernando Alonso’s future with Aston Martin is not yet finalised, with the constructor hoping their project is enough to keep hold of him.
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Although the Spaniard has had a good season, Aston Martin’s performances have regressed, causing doubts he will extend his deal.
Lance Stroll is expected to renew his contract with Mike Krack’s team, though.
Pierre Gasly is understood to have done enough to earn a new deal with Alpine, but Esteban Ocon could depart.
The Frenchman has been tipped as a potential replacement for Lando Norris at McLaren if he is snapped up by Red Bull to replace Perez.
Williams are hopeful they can retain Alex Albon beyond the end of 2024 but he has yet to put pen to paper on an extension.
His team-mate Logan Sargeant is expected to stay on for 2024, but the rookie will only be handed a one-year renewal, leaving his long-term future up in the air.
A decision from Haas on their drivers could be one of the last, with both Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg handed one-year extensions for next year.
It is currently believed that the duo will be retained for 2025, however, with few valuable alternatives available to Haas.
Formula 2 star Oliver Bearman has been suggested as a potential arrival if Guenther Steiner decides to shuffle his pack.
AlphaTauri are another team who could be impacted by Perez’s contract situaton.
Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda have been announced as their 2024 line-up and will both be hoping to replace Checo at Red Bull.
If one of them can earn that goal then AlphaTauri will join the list of constructors looking for replacements, with reserve driver Liam Lawson a potential target.
Finally, Alfa Romeo face considerable uncertainty ahead of their 2026 rebrand under Audi.
Zhou Guanyu is at risk of losing his place on the grid after a cycle of one-year renewals.
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F2 prospect Theo Pourchaire has been lined up as a possible replacement for the Chinese driver.
Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas has under-performed since signing from Mercedes and may also slip off the grid if he does not improve.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
