Available seats 2022

Back in April, I done a blog post regarding the drivers market, this post is about available seats as we’ve had a couple of signings already and there is quite a lot of speculation for certain seats left for the 2022 season!

Mercedes- Now we all know Lewis has re-signed! But the focus is now onto who will join the 7 time world champ as his teammate? Will it be Bottas or Russell? Well Mercedes have said they will make a decision over the summer break… So we really don’t have long to wait! I personally want George in that seat, I think his had his time at Williams now and his proved himself time and time again and this is the next step for him!

Red Bull- Max is contracted for Red Bull till 2023 so no changes there… However, the second seat this is a difficult one just like last year. Helmet Marko has came forward and said their not entirely happy with Sergio Perez… So if he improves in the second half of the season then he will more than likely get the seat but if he doesn’t, Red Bull could look at possibly getting Pierre Gasly back or maybe Alex Albon? Or possibly junior drivers, Liam Lawson or Juri Vips. I feel like this second seat won’t be decided until the end of the season, just like last year…

AlphaTauri- Both drivers contract are up this year, there is a part of me which thinks that maybe they won’t change it but part of me is thinking that Pierre may get a chance at Red Bull which means Alpha Tauri have a spot to fill… I 100% think Yuki will re-sign, I think it’d be silly to let him go but if Pierre does leave then who are the options? Well, possibly Juri Vips or Liam Lawson.

Alfa Romeo- Again, both drivers contract are up this year, however there are many options for Alfa Romeo! The first one would be keep to both drivers but I don’t think they will, I think Kimi will leave at the end of the season. So who could fill the seat? First up is Ferrari Academy driver and Reserve driver for Alfa Romeo Callum Illot, that would seem the most sensible option. But there is a list! Maybe Bottas if he doesn’t get a Mercedes seat? Shwartzman who is another Ferrari Academy driver and currently competing in F2. We also have Mick Schumacher whose currently at Haas. Personally I think they will sign Antonio Giovannazi and Callum Illot…

Haas- Mazepin has a contract sorted for 2022 as he signed a multi year contract in 2020 for the 2021 season onwards. To be honest I don’t see Mick moving teams yet so I think Haas will keep their line up for 2022.

Williams- Both driver contracts are up this year, and there’s lots of speculation on who gets the seats. First up I think Williams will re-sign Latfi, his only in his second season of F1 so his still got lots too prove. But this second seat is like hot cakes! It won’t be available for long… if George does leave to go to Mercedes, there is a queue of people waiting to jump into the seat. The most obvious one is Valtteri Bottas, it would mean going back to an old team and taking a step down into a less competitive car but the team are improving unlike a few years ago. Nico Hulkenberg is an option, he use to drive for the team back in 2010 and is currently Aston Martins reserve this year, this could be a very good option for the team. Williams also have the option of Daniil Kyvat, he no longer has any Red Bill ties and is currently a reserve for Alpine. Personally I know who I want in the Williams seat and he is quite a popular choice and that would be Nyck de Vries, F2 champion in 2019 and Formula E champion 2020-2021. He is also one of the reserve drivers for Mercedes and got the opportunity to be in the Young Drivers test last year. I think this would be the best option for Williams in my opinion!

Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine, Aston Martin all have pretty set driver line ups for the next season so I don’t see any changes happening there!