THE Formula One grid in 2024 could look hugely different to what it does now.
There are a number of teams who have drivers with expiring contracts.
It is also not out of the realms of possibility for a team to pick up a driver from an underperforming team.
So with that in mind, how might the grid look by the start of the 2024 season?
Red Bull – Verstappen and Tsunoda
The first big shock would come at Red Bull, where Max Verstappen could be joined by a surprise new team-mate in Yuki Tsunoda.
A recent report suggested Christian Horner was considering promoting Tsunoda from sister team AlphaTauri.
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This would naturally lead to Perez’s departure, despite having a contract running to 2024.
The current relationship between Verstappen and Perez has grown increasingly tense, with the latest from it seeing Verstappen snatch the fastest lap point away from an unhappy Perez in Saudi Arabia.
Mercedes – Russell and Norris
In the event Lewis Hamilton decides he has had enough of F1 and decides to allow his contract to expire at the end of the season, Mercedes will need some very capable hands to take his seat.
There are fewer drivers more capable than McLaren’s Lando Norris, and with his team’s current underperformance, he may be tempted to try and grab a more competitive seat.
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Indeed, despite being in an inferior car, Norris was the only driver outside of Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari to score a podium in 2022 and break the 100-point mark.
Despite reports suggesting his contract extension with McLaren could pose difficulties, with Norris the Brackley-based team would keep their all-British line-up as he partners George Russell.
Ferrari – Leclerc and Sainz
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have contracts which run until 2024 and both are performing well despite the team’s performance and reliability issues.
It is difficult to see any changes coming for the Scuderia before next season.
Aston Martin – Alonso and Stroll
In a similar sense to Ferrari, both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are unlikely to leave Aston Martin.
Alonso has scored three back-to-back podiums this season, and Stroll’s dad Lawrence is the owner of the team. And he is desperate to give his son a car capable of winning titles.
McLaren – Piastri and Perez
With Norris gone, McLaren chief Zak Brown could bring Perez back to McLaren for a chance at redemption.
Perez replaced Hamilton in 2013, but flopped as he was slammed by team-mate Jenson Button for his “unnecessary” aggressiveness.
However, with a more mature mindset and far more experience under his belt, Perez could be brought back to ensure McLaren maintains a competitive edge over the rest of the midfield.
Perez was always a consistent performer when with midfield teams as well.
Alpine – Ocon and Gasly
Despite having a less-than-desirable relationship in the past, both Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly will likely remain at Alpin for the 2024 season.
Both have contracts running until 2024, and a French team with two French drivers would be expected to keep the line up barring an exceptional change in stance between now and the season’s end.
Haas – Hulkenberg and Ricciardo
Despite rejecting a seat with the team for this year, team principal Guenther Steiner has remained optimistic about potentially landing Daniel Ricciardo.
He previously said: “Everybody is wanting to speak with Danny after a year off.”
Ricciardo would be partnering former Renault team-mate Nico Hulkenberg – with the pair shooting to fame on Drive to Survive – as Kevin Magnussen’s replacement.
The Dane has one year left on his current deal and could be in line for an extension if he performs well, but a big name like Ricciardo may be too tempting to turn down for Haas.
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Alfa Romeo – Bottas and Pouchaire
If Alfa Romeo opts to drop out-of-contract Zhou Guanyu at the end of the season then their likely replacement will be Theo Pourchaire.
The Frenchman was second in the F2 championship last year, and is once again sitting in second in the junior formula this year.
The 19-year-old would represent the natural next choice given how he is already the team’s current reserve driver.
Valtteri Bottas has a deal running until 2025, so the Finn is not likely to be moving on anytime soon.
AlphaTauri – De Vries and Iwasa
Japanese driver Ayumu Iwasa currently leads the F2 championship and is next in line to be given an F1 nod by Red Bull.
This is likely to see him head to AlphaTauri, where Red Bull send their up-and-coming stars to give them handy experience before potentially making the step up to the main team, as seen with Alex Albon and Gasly.
Nyck de Vries has a contract running until 2024.
Therefore, like Bottas he is unlikely to be heading elsewhere before next season.
Williams – Albon and Schumacher
Albon could have ANOTHER new team-mate at Williams by the start of 2024 with Mick Schumacher making his return to the F1 grid.
Schumacher is the current reserve driver at Mercedes, and with Williams using the Mercedes engine it may give them a way to strengthen their relationship further.
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Schumacher was dropped by Haas after a poor showing in his first two seasons. And in a similar sense the same may happen to rookie Logan Sargeant.
The American has a one-year contract at the team and unless he performs well he could be cut in favour of Schumacher, who has said it is his “goal” to return to the grid in 2024.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
