F1 Talk: Predicting the 2021 driver line-up

Next year’s Formula 1 grid is going to look very different. Already we know that Fernando Alonso will return, Carlos Sainz will join Ferrari, Daniel Ricciardo is moving to McLaren and Sebastian Vettel will not be at Ferrari.

After Max Verstappen renewed his contract at Red Bull many were not expecting a shake-up of this magnitude.

With Vettel leaving Ferrari, I am certain he will not retire and he will be on the grid. Where that is will dictate what happens to the driver market.

Below is a confirmation of which drivers will be with which teams in 2021 including the length of their contracts as well as my predictions for those who have yet to be announced.

Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton – Valtteri Bottas

As of writing neither Lewis Hamilton or Valtteri Bottas have been announced to stay on the grid. In fact, Mercedes themselves have not committed to Formula 1 and there is sill talk of them pulling out of the sport, although this is more likely to happen after next season.

This is the dream team right now and there is no reason to change the driver line-up. Hamilton is still the bets driver on the grid over a championship season and Bottas is there to pick up wins and pole positions when Hamilton is not quite on it.

With George Russell remaining at Williams, Bottas will almost certainly remain alongside Hamilton at Mercedes in 2021.

The thing to watch out for is the length of the contracts when they get announced. Should either driver get a multi-year deal then we can expect Mercedes to remain in F1 for a few more years.

Red Bull

Max Verstappen (Contracted until 2023) – Sebastian Vettel

This is the big talking point. Verstappen stays but who will be his teammate next year.

Alexander Albon is too far off the pace for me which is why Red Bull will need to replace him.

I highly doubt Red Bull will put Pierre Gasly back into the senior team so bringing back Vettel for a year or two could work very well and Vettel still has the speed which could trouble Verstappen at times.I’ve gone for Vettel.

Vettel will either be at Racing Point (becoming Aston Martin in 2021) or Red Bull. I’m 50/50 as to where he will go but I’ve had a punt and gone with Red Bull.

I feel Vettel knows he has a good relationship with Red Bull, he may feel he owes them after their incredible success last decade.

Racing Point (Aston Martin from 2021)

Lance Stroll (2021) – Sergio Perez (2022)

You make things that it is strange that there is so much talk of Vettel to Racing Point when both Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll have a contract for 2021.

But, every contract has exit clauses and it is rumoured that Perez can be released from his contract if an agreement is reached before 31 July. Would Racing Point be willing to pay out Perez and then pay even more to bring in Vettel? I don’t think so.

Perez helped save the team when it was Force India, he has been instrumental in their underdog success and it would be incredibly harsh if he is kicked out of the team after what he has done for Racing Point.

I do not see Lawrence Stroll getting rid of his son Lance so if one has to go its Perez. But, after all the rumours I think Racing Point will stick with what they have even if some senior management want Vettel in the team.

Ferrari

Charles Leclerc (2024) – Carlos Sainz (2022)

Ferrari’s youngest line-up for over 50 years but really its the car that Ferrari have to be worried about and not the drivers.

Sainz to Ferrari was a small surprise to me mainly because of the timing and due to the move being announced weeks before the season even began.

Young Sainz has shown his brilliance in the last 2-3 years and deserves the seat. Even though Ferrari are now in the midfield, its the team that every driver dreams about and Ferrari could retain this partnership for a while.

McLaren

Lando Norris (2022) – Daniel Ricciardo (2022)

McLaren will be very happy with their line-up too as Daniel Ricciardo joins the team in what will definitely be a popular driver pairing.

So far in 2020, Norris has shown his class too and it will be fascinating as to which driver will come out on top. If one can beat the other, their stock will rise significantly.

With a Mercedes engine in the back of the car, McLaren 2021 could be a massive year for McLaren.

Renault

Fernando Alonso (2022) – Esteban Ocon (2021)

Who would have thought Fernando Alonso would be back in F1? I certainly did not but I am glad he is.

He still has the speed having beat Stoffel Vandoorne in 2018 21-0 in the qualifying head to head, back to back Le Mans wins, and one of the greatest sportscar stints at the Daytona 24 Hours last year to win the great race.

If ESports is anything to go by, Alonso had some simply stunning performances there too.

We will find out in a few weeks how he fare’s at the Indy 500 but even at the age of 40 next year, I think Alonso will silence any doubters that he should not be back in F1 and he will show why Renault have brought him back to the team where he won his two world titles.

As for Ocon, it could be a big year for him as the pressure will be on to not get beat by a much older Alonso. A make or break year for the Frenchman.

Alpha Tauri

Pierre Gasly – Alexander Albon

With Vettel returning to Red Bull, I can see Helmut Marko wanting to see who can come out on top out of Pierre Gasly and Albon.

Daniil Kvyat looks like he will be out of the sport once again as he just does not quite have the speed of Gasly. Other options for Alpha Tauri could be Juri Vips who will race in Super Formula this year and if he can impress he could replace Kvyat should Albon stay at Red Bull.

Yuki Tsunoda is competing in Formula 2 and Honda would love to see him in F1. Whether he can do enough to impress is what I question, the same goes with Vips.

Alfa Romeo

Kimi Raikkonen – Mick Schumcaher

Kimi Raikkonen is set to become the most experienced Formula 1 driver ever this year and the big question is, will he finally retire?

Another bold prediction has seen me go with no. Raikkonen is adored by the fans and is still one of the most marketable drivers on the grid.

On the track, he has had the better of Antonio Giovinazzi despite being 40-years-old.

With Giovinazzi underperforming I have gone with Mick Schumacher to make his Formula 1 debut.

Schumacher has shown speed in F2 and has had his fair share of bad luck. Even if he does not win the title, Ferrari will want him in Formula 1 as soon as possible for obvious reasons.

It would be quite something to see Raikkonen racing with Schumacher for the second time in his career.

Haas

Kevin Magnussen – Robert Shwartzman

Haas have had the same driver line-up for four consecutive seasons and for quite a while many believe that Romain Grosjean has not done enough to keep his seat.

Nevertheless, Grosjean has been a big part of Haas but surely at the end of this year it is time for a change and if Haas has (excuse the pun) to get rid of one of their drivers Grosjean will likely fall by the wayside.

Magnussen has the edge on Grosjean in qualifying and the race as well as a few years in age. Its time for a change at Haas and this is how Robert Shwartzman comes in.

Shwartzman was a revolution last year in Formula 3 and he has continued to impress so far in F2, leading the championship after three rounds.

Gunther Steiner has said he is interested in Shwartzman and if Haas decide to stay on the grid, a young driver who has bags of talent is the way forward for the team.

Another scenario that could play out at Haas is Perez joining the team should Vettel join Racing Point. Perez will bring money and sponsors which is a key factor for Haas.

Williams

George Russell (2021) – Nicholas Latifi (2022)

Finally Williams. They’re current line-up of George Russell and Nicholas Latifi will not change for 2021, that was confirmed prior to the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Not much to say on Williams’ drivers other than George Russell must continue what he’s doing right now before jumping ship to Mercedes in 2022 or another top team because he cannot afford to spend too many years racing at the back.

Summary

So here is what I predict will change from this year to next season (that has not been confirmed already).

• Vettel joins Red Bull
• Albon goes back to Alpha Tauri
• Shwartzman and Schumacher make their F1 debuts at Haas and Alfa Romeo respectively
• Kvyat and Grosjean are out of F1

What do you think will happen? Let us know!