Driver Market: My predictions

It's that time of the season, summer break. Not even a day after break started we had Fernando Alonso reveal he signed a multi-year contract with Aston Martin. he would be replacing Vettel who announced during the race weekend that after this season he would be retiring from the sport. Then came the Oscar Piastri drama with Alpine announcing that he would be joining them next season. Oscar responded with a direct message saying that the news was false and that he would not be racing for them next year. Whether that is because he has his eyes set on another team or he has already signed with someone else we are set to find out soon. Then came Alex Albon's news that he is extending his contract with Williams. So as of now, there are "open" seats at AlphaTauri, McLaren, Alpine, Williams, Haas, Aston Martin, and Alfa Romeo. That is 7/10 teams, quite the lot. Here are my predictions for the driver lineup for 2023.

Ferrari - Carlos Sainz and Charles LeClerc

This one is set in stone, it's no doubt that Ferrari has one of the best driver pairings at the moment. Both drivers' contracts also cover them through the next few years.

RedBull - Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen

RedBull has spent their sweet time trying to find Max's partner in Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly and they seem to have found the one in Sergio Perez. Earlier in the season when it became clear he was consistent they signed him onto a multi-year contract. Max as we all know has no intention of leaving and the team has signed him until 2028.

Mercedes - Lewis Hamilton and George Russel

Both drivers at Mercedes are signed until 2023. Mercedes see the future in George and he has shown that he has the talent. In my opinion, if anyone is to leave it will be Lewis who would be retiring. Though I think that won't happen until he wins that 8th championship.

McLaren - Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

Oh the controversy on this one, although I am well aware that Daniel is signed until 2023, I don't doubt that Zak and the team will try to do the best they can for themselves. Whether or not that means leaving Ricciardo. Oscar is currently a reserve for Alpine and McLaren and ever since he rejected Alpine I have a feeling he's waiting for McLaren. I went back and forth on whether he would stay full-time reserve next year and then get the seat in 2024 but I'm going bold. The 2nd season is set to go to Lando who is staying in papaya until 2025.

Alpine - Esteban Ocon and Daniel Ricciardo

This one is hard, Esteban is set in and it seems that no one wants to be his partner. There are quite a few people in contention for this seat, and Alpine is currently the 4th best car on the grid, not shabby in the least. The reason I chose Daniel Ricciardo to race for Alpine is that I don't see him leaving the sport. Well, I do but I don't want to believe it. He's a well-seasoned driver and had a good time back at Renault. The question is 1) Is Daniel staying at McLaren? 2) If not, does Alpine want to try out a rookie?

Williams - Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant

Alex Albon is set with Williams as he just announced his contract extension. So why Logan? I think it's more than clear why Latifi needs to leave. Williams has put a lot of fate in Logan by putting him into F2, and he's done a fairly good job. Maybe they'll give him a shot.

Alfa Romeo - Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou

Guanyu Zhou is currently the only rookie on the grid, and he's had a relatively good season. I am a firm believer that once a driver reaches F1 they should have at least 2 seasons to showcase their talent. Bottas has signed a multi-year contract, so I expect the team to stay the same.

Haas - Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher

This is one I've debated for a while, KMag deserves to stay no doubt, and has the contract, but Mick? Ferrari gets to choose one of Haas's seats, and for now, they have Mick. Mick is great, he's managed the Haas beautifully, yet his first year he had a terrible car and now with a good car, his teammate is consistently beating him. Even though KMag wasn't racing last year. Yet the surname Schumacher does get him some leeway, and I expect him to do at least a season at Ferrari, so I'm keeping the lineup the same.

AlphaTauri - Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson

This is another one of my bold predictions. Pierre has signed a longer contract with the team, securing his future for a while. Now onto Yuki, I love his personality I really do it cracks me up, but the driving? Not the best, after 2 years I expected more, and knowing Franz's attitude I don't see him giving Yuki another season. So Liam, another one of our current F2 drivers, and to be fair he's done good, and deserves a shot. How about Daruvala? I don't see it, he works in F2 but I don't see him making it to F1. Out of the RB academy Liam I think is RB's best shot.

Aston Martin - Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll

Following Sebastian Vettel's departure from the team, this news was followed by Alonso's move from Alpine to the team on a multi-year deal. Lance as we all know is only in F1 because of his dad, so there's no chance of him leaving.

That's it! All 10 teams for 2023. Some of these teams aren't likely but are the ones I want to happen. Let's see if my predictions come true. See you soon.