Stay or sack - Could these drivers lose their seat before the end of 2024?
General
- Ludo van Denderen
The halfway point of the '24 season is getting closer and closer. A year ago, the halfway point was when AlphaTauri sidelined Nyck de Vries and replaced him with Daniel Ricciardo. Several drivers are under enormous pressure this season. Will they be allowed to finish the season or be sacked before the end of the year?
Logan Sargeant
At the Canadian Grand Prix, Sargeant put his car into the wall, not for the first time in his F1 career. Another pointless and costly result. Likely, the American won't be driving at Williams next year for a third season. Team boss James Vowles wants to bring in Carlos Sainz at all costs, he confirmed in Montreal.
Sargeant may not see out the end of the season with Williams. It is rumoured in the paddock that the American drove his last race for the British team in Canada. It is possible but seems unrealistic. Especially as there is no (temporary) successor ready. Mercedes's young starlet Andrea Kimi Antonelli would be an option, but because of his age, the Italian does not have a super licence. He will turn 18 in August.
Esteban Ocon
The upcoming separation has already been announced for the end of the 2024 season. Esteban Ocon and Alpine may decide to end the partnership earlier. In Monaco, there was already the incident with teammate Pierre Gasly and then a falling out with furious team boss Bruno Famin, who told Ocon there would be consequences.
In Montreal, there was another issue. The Frenchman complained afterwards that he had to let Gasly pass him and thus crossed the line behind his compatriot. Famin, meanwhile, responded that 'Esteban was holding everyone up' and therefore risked passing both Alpines. In other words, Ocon was too slow according to his team. boss.
In the case of Ocon and Alpine, an early farewell really seems like the best thing for all parties. Reserve driver Jack Doohan is waiting in the wings to take over from Ocon.
Daniel Ricciardo
His performance in the Canadian Grand Prix was fine, yet Daniel Ricciardo's place is by no means secure. Overall, the Australian has been outclassed by his younger teammate Yuki Tsunoda in the VCARB, who now has a new contract for '25. Ricciardo and Liam Lawson are in the running: will it be the experienced man or the talent from New Zealand who takes the seat?
A year ago, Helmut Marko told us that Lawson would be given a few races in '24. Nobody's talking about that anymore, but with Ricciardo being very inconsistent, what's to stop VCARB from indeed testing Lawson for a few races? Probably after such a period, a measured choice could be made as to which of the two drivers would get the permanent spot with Red Bull's sister team in '25.