In Formula 1, almost no driver has a contract for 2021. Rumors of changes about Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are abundant. An overview.
Formula 1 is also facing a charged 2020 season off the track and not only because all teams have to prepare for the new cars of 2021. The driver market is almost completely open, hardly anyone has a contract – this also applies to big names like Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen. The rumor mill was recently fueled by Ferrari and Hamilton – Motorsport-Magazin.com summarizes the transfer stories here.
Ferrari 2021: What is Sebastian Vettel doing?
With Charles Leclerc, Ferrari has at least one driver set for 2021, more precisely even until 2024. Question marks only hang over Sebastian Vettel. However, it seems clear to him that he still wants to achieve his big dream – the Formula One title with Scuderia Ferrari. Seb always clearly denied any questions of retirement. A better conclusion of the season (2nd half) has also pleased the Maranello team, as Ferrari now wants to start contract discussions (with Seb) in the winter, according to Motorsport-Magazin.com.
But at the same time, Scuderia Ferrari still has to keep looking for other options. Lewis Hamilton is at the front, because his contract also ends. Both parties are cryptic: Most recently, a meeting between Hamilton and Ferrari CEO John Elkann was confirmed, but was only an informal event. But if Lewis Hamilton is on the market, it would of course be negligent for the Italian side not to at least stick out its feelers. Aside from Hamilton, Scuderia Ferrari’s side remains silent on a Sebastian Vettel replacement. They rejected Max Verstappen, and Verstappen did the same.
Alfa Romeo 2021: Ferrari’s offspring is waiting
One team with manufacturer involvement is Alfa Romeo. The team currently names one driver (Kimi Raikkonen), while one (Antonio Giovinazzi) is a Ferrari Junior. The future here is still speculation. Kimi Raikkonen’s whereabouts depend on whether he retires, after all he would be 41 in 2021. Antonio Giovinazzi’s whereabouts depend on his performance compared to the Ferrari junior team.
It is lurking in Formula 2. It is the second year for Mick Schumacher, Callum Ilott and Giuliano Alesi, but none of them has been convincing so far. The rookies Robert Shwartzman (F3 champion) and Marcus Armstrong (F3 runner-up) promoted from Formula 3 to Formula 2 should clarify who really has F1 potential here.
And Giovinazzi? If he presents himself solidly, in the event of a Sebastian Vettel departure he can at least make chances for the second Ferrari place next to Charles Leclerc. Should Ferrari be looking for a number two driver, it is almost a clear case.
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