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F1 Overview 2021: What are the chances of Albon, Hulkenberg and Kvyat returning?
We will not see these five names on the Formula 1 grid next year: Alexander Albon, Daniil Kvyat, Romain Grosjean, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg. All men may be hoping for a return to the top class of motorsport, so GPblog took a closer look at the contract situations among the teams. Who has the best chance of returning to Formula 1 in 2022?
Albon saw Sergio Perez take his place at Red Bull Racing, while Kvyat sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda make his debut at AlphaTauri next year. At Haas F1 we ​​see a completely new driver duo with Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin in 2021. Nico Hulkenberg performed excellently at Silverstone as a replacement for Sergio Perez, but a permanent place has not yet secured him.
Free spots at Mercedes and Red Bull?
Then the situation with the teams. At Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton seems to be renewing for several seasons, but Bottas is not yet assured of a place for 2022. Chances are that the Finn will be replaced if he does not get close to the world title. The biggest contender for this is George Russell. That would mean that a spot would become available at Williams. It seems unlikely that Bottas will move that way, but you may also wonder which other drivers are willing to take up the challenge. The advantage is that the new regulations then enter Formula 1.
Everyone wants to drive at Red Bull Racing and in 2021 Sergio Perez will be the lucky one. He has signed a one-year contract so he will have to do his best. The other main contenders for 2022 at the Austrian racing team are Albon and Pierre Gasly. A spot may become available at AlphaTauri if Gasly is transferred again, allowing Albon to return. Red Bull may be able to make an attempt for Lando Norris because he has an expiring contract with McLaren.
It would be a doom scenario for the Woking formation, as Norris has been with McLaren for a long time. The likelihood that the contract will be extended therefore seems very great. Should Norris nevertheless leave, only Albon and possibly Hulkenberg seem to have a chance of a spot next to Daniel Ricciardo.
Are Renault holding on to Ocon?
Nothing will change at Ferrari, Haas F1 or Racing Point for the 2022 season. That is different from Renault because Esteban Ocon still has to secure a spot there. The first year for Ocon was nothing to write home about. If Ocon does not perform properly next season, that may open the doors for Gasly. The 24-year-old driver will probably aim higher than racing for AlphaTauri, but a place at Red Bull is certainly not a certainty.
Of the names who had to miss out on 2021 seats, only Albon and Hulkenberg are likely to be eligible for Renault, but after 2019 the German was sent away by Cyril Abiteboul. Grosjean, Magnussen and Kvyat will have to hope for a spot at Alfa Romeo or at least Williams when Russell heads for Mercedes.
Departures should focus on Haas F1
With the team of Frederic Vasseur, the contracts of Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi both expire. Raikkonen will be 42 by that time and it doesn't seem very likely that the Finn will still be driving in Formula 1 at the age of 43. Giovinazzi will have to improve himself again compared to 2020. He will have another year of opportunity, but it is not all very impressive what the Italian showed, although of course that also has to do with the car.
Hulkenberg knows Vasseur very well and still maintains warm ties with the team boss. Kvyat, Grosjean and Magnussen would also be open to a step to Alfa Romeo Racing. Only Albon can be doubted whether he would accept a contract offer.
Overview of contracts of the drivers in Formula 1
Mercedes:
Lewis Hamilton - unknown
Valtteri Bottas - until 2021
Red Bull Racing:
Max Verstappen - until 2023
Sergio Perez - through 2021
Ferrari:
Charles Leclerc - until 2024
Carlos Sainz - through 2022
McLaren:
Daniel Ricciardo - through 2022
Lando Norris - until 2021
Racing Point:
Sebastian Vettel - unknown (signed multi-year contract)
Lance Stroll - unknown
Renault:
Fernando Alonso - through 2022
Esteban Ocon - through 2021
AlphaTauri:
Yuki Tsunoda - through 2021
Pierre Gasly - until 2021
Haas F1:
Mick Schumacher - presumably through 2022
Nikita Mazepin - unknown (signed a multi-year contract)
Alfa Romeo Racing:
Kimi Raikkonen - through 2021
Antonio Giovinazzi - through 2021
Williams:
George Russell - through 2021
Nicholas Latifi - through 2022
This article was written and originally published by Corwin on the Dutch edition of GPblog.com.