Which driver transfers are still possible for next season in F1?
With the various announcements from Renault and Mercedes made this Thursday, the 2020 season line-up seems increasingly clear. Here's a brief overview.
Red Bull has already started hostilities during this summer break by swapping the seats of Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon for the end of the season. The French driver finds himself with Toro Rosso, while Alex Albon will drive for the rest of the season with Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen.
Mercedes, leading the constructors’ championships with a more balanced lineup this year than last, has just confirmed the contract extension of Valtteri Bottas for the 2020 season. The possibilities offered by Mercedes, instead of Bottas, were to promote Esteban Ocon. The French driver ultimately makes a return to Formula 1 in 2020 but with the Renault F1 team, replacing Nico Hülkenberg. The information was officially announced yesterday by Renault.
The remaining spots are therefore not so numerous for 2020. So what transfers are still possible for the 2020 season?
Ferrari
The two current drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, will defend the colors of the Scuderia, although some rumors suggested an early retirement for the four-time world champion.
Confirmed: **Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc**
Red Bull
Verstappen confirmed, it will be interesting to follow Alex Albon’s progression until the end of the season. The Danill Kyvat option should not be ruled out for 2020 if the Thai driver fails to convince. He is performing quite well this season and is currently in 9th place in the drivers’ standings with 27 points. He has gained a lot of maturity this season, and his performances are convincing, with even a podium finish at the German Grand Prix a few weeks ago.
Confirmed: Max Verstappen
Probable: Alexander Albon
Possible: Daniil Kvyat, Pierre Gasly or Nico Hülkenberg
McLaren
No changes are expected for 2020 regarding the lineup of its drivers. Carlos Sainz, the best of the rest, in 7th place in the drivers’ standings with 58 points, is performing well this season. His teammate, 19-year-old British rookie Lando Norris, is having a good start in F1 with 24 points for 10th place in the drivers’ standings. The team has therefore already announced that it will keep them next year.
Confirmed: Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris
Toro Rosso
Everything will depend on Albon’s performances with Red Bull until the end of the calendar. Kvyat remains an insurance policy for Red Bull looking towards 2020. As for Pierre Gasly, it’s a return to his roots to come back stronger in the coming years. He is still young but already knows he can no longer afford to make mistakes.
Confirmed: –
Possible: Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly
Alfa Romeo
There should also be no change in 2020 for Alfa Romeo. Kimi Räikkönen, an experienced driver ranked 8th among drivers with 31 points, and the Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi, who is in his first full F1 season. Additionally, the German driver, Mick Schumacher, will need another season in F2 before making the jump to F1. The Alfa Romeo option could be an interesting avenue in 2021 since Schumacher is part of the Ferrari Academy.
Confirmed: Kimi Räikkönen
Probable: Antonio Giovinazzi
Possible: Mick Schumacher
Racing Point
The Canadian driver Lance Stroll is in 12th place in the drivers’ standings with 18 points and will surely defend the team’s colors for the coming years since it belongs to his father. As for Sergio Perez, he remains uncertain, although his performance has been superior to his teammate in qualifying. His significant financial backing should help him stay with the Silverstone-based team.
Confirmed: Lance Stroll
Probable: Sergio Pérez
Haas
Kevin Magnussen, 13th in the drivers’ standings with 18 points, is under contract for 2020 with the American team.
9th in the Constructors’ Championship, with 26 points but with a significant lack of consistency.
The battle between Magnussen and Grosjean on the track could give the team director, Gûnther Steiner, a headache. He might therefore part ways with Romain Grosjean, who is in his last year of contract, to take advantage of Nico Hülkenberg’s availability.
Confirmed: Kevin Magnussen
Probables: Romain Grosjean or Nico Hülkenberg
Williams
Rookie driver George Russell, former F2 champion in 2018, will be on board in 2020. He dominated his returning Formula 1 teammate, Robert Kubica. The latter is expected to give up his seat in 2020, and rumors suggest the arrival of Canadian driver Nicholas Latifi, who is racing this season in F2 and has conducted tests with Williams, including this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.
Confirmed: George Russell
Probable: Nicholas Latifi
