Five Formula 1 drivers whose futures with their team remains uncertain

There are some Formula 1 drivers who are more uncertain about their futures than others. Here, we look at five racers whose future is not yet decided.

Mercedes are set to launch their 2022 car soon. (Image: Mercedes F1 team's Twitter)
By Shayne Dias | Aug 24, 2021 | 4 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The Formula 1 driver line-up for 2022 is, by the sport’s usual standards, pretty well set for the most part. Almost all drivers are tied to their current teams on multi-year deals and there’s little speculation in terms of seat shuffling. The modern era has seen most teams opt for stability in the long run, meaning drivers too have more job security. However, it wouldn’t be F1 without at least a little ‘silly season’ speculation. And, given the sport is making a long-awaited return from the summer break this weekend, the talks of who drives where next season will only intensify.

However, there are some drivers who are more uncertain about their futures than others. Here, we look at five racers whose future with their team is uncertain.

Valtteri Bottas

The second seat at Mercedes has been under intense scrutiny ever since Lewis Hamilton signed a two-year deal earlier this year. However, there is no clarity on whether or not Bottas will be part of the team in the coming season. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitted that the choice is between him and Mercedes junior George Russell.

Russell, for his part, has impressed in a Williams team struggling at the backend of the grid. He also did well for the team at the Sakhir Grand Prix in 2020, filling in for Hamilton who contracted COVID-19. All of this has been enough to force him into the conversation.

It helps, of course, that Bottas has had his word year at Mercedes thus far this season. Wolff said the driver line-up would be decided during the summer break. But, as things stand, we know nothing more than we did before the break.

Sergio Perez

This one might come as a surprise, given Perez has actually been decent as Red Bull’s second driver. However, the Mexican only signed a one-year deal and there has been no talks of an extension just yet. And while he’s actually done well enough to warrant a seat, there is a reason his future is under speculation.

Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s director of the driver programme, has publicly stated he is looking at drivers in F2 and F3 this season. Again, if this happened, it would be a shock, given Formula 1 is braced for major regulation changes next season.

But Red Bull have been notoriously trigger-happy with their drivers since 2016. The next man on our list would know something about that…

Pierre Gasly

Gasly was, of course, demoted back to Red Bull in 2019 after failing to live up to expectations. He’s since gone on a stellar run at AlphaTauri, winning a race and even managing a podium finish besides regularly scoring points. However, the end goal of any driver in Red Bull’s B-team is to drive for the A-team.

Gasly has made no secret of his desire to be back in the hot seat. Neither has he been shy in vocalising his frustrations at the Red Bull system. This has naturally led to speculation that he would take up a chance to drive for another team.

However, as things stand he is contracted till 2022, with Marko revealing they will take a decision on Gasly only then. That is unless, of course, he takes the decision for them.

Antonio Giovinazzi

Giovinazzi is a bit of a strange case. The Italian clearly possesses speed but his reliability as a driver remains a work in progress. That has led to him consistently outshining Alfa Romeo teammate Kimi Raikkonen in qualifying but struggling in the race.

Giovinazzi was almost replaced in 2020, but kept his seat because the driver the team wanted ended up choosing another team. However, should that driver become available, there is no certainty that Giovinazzi, a Ferrari academy driver, will be part of Alfa Romeo next season.

And just who is this driver in question? Well…

Mick Schumacher

The son of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, Mick has endured a tough rookie year at Haas. That’s not necessarily down to him; the 2021 Haas is ridiculously uncompetitive and easily the slowest car on the grid. This is down to the team choosing to focus more on the new 2022 car, thus leaving this season’s model underdeveloped.

Schumacher jr. has done about as well as expected in this machinery, even outperforming his teammate Nikita Mazepin. Not that that’s saying much. Nevertheless, there is renewed speculation that Schumacher might join Alfa Romeo next season.

If he does, he would most likely replace Giovinazzi, unless of course Raikkonen decides to retire after this season. Still, the Alfa Romeo seat is definitely up for grabs – even Bottas has been linked to the side.