Overview: How is the F1 2023 driver market shaping up?

Formula 1 2023 is still over half a year but where does the upcoming ‘silly season’ stand at its current stage?

Mercedes: George Russell joined on a long-term deal for 2022 after spending several years affiliated to the manufacturer. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton signed a two-year deal, covering 2022 and 2023, in mid-2021.

Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen signed a six-year extension to his existing deal off the back of his 2021 title triumph, securing him to the team through 2028. Sergio Perez agreed a two-year deal, covering 2023 and 2024, after his Monaco Grand Prix win.

Ferrari: Charles Leclerc signed a long-term deal through 2024 following his first season in red in 2019, making 2022 year three of five, while Carlos Sainz agreed a two-year extension through 2024 earlier this season.

McLaren: Daniel Ricciardo signed a three-year deal when joining the team for 2021 though CEO Zak Brown has indicated there may be mechanisms in place for 2023. Lando Norris penned a fresh multi-year contract through 2025 to remain with the squad he joined as a junior in 2017.  

Alpine: Esteban Ocon is contracted through 2024 but the team ostensibly has a vacancy for 2023. Two-time champion Fernando Alonso is in year two of his two-year deal while highly-rated F2 champion Oscar Piastri is spending 2022 as a fully-integrated reserve with an extensive testing programme in the 2021 car.

AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly has been confirmed for the 2023 season, however the identity of his team-mate is yet to be announced. Yuki Tsunoda currently races alongside the Frenchman, with Gasly having initially joined in late 2017, while Tsunoda is in his sophomore season. Red Bull also has a spread of juniors in Formula 2, including Jehan Daruvala and Liam Lawson.

Aston Martin: The team recruited Sebastian Vettel on a multi-year deal from 2021, meaning a 2023 stay is entirely plausible, while Lance Stroll has a relatively safe seat at the squad owned and controlled by his father.

Williams: Alexander Albon joined for 2022 and CEO Jost Capito has indicated that he regards the Red Bull-supported driver as a long-term proposition. Nicholas Latifi’s future is more unclear owing to subdued performances. Nyck de Vries tested for Williams in Spain while junior Logan Sargeant has had an encouraging start to his Formula 2 career, where he is expected to remain from 2023.

Alfa Romeo: Valtteri Bottas joined for 2022 on a multi-year deal believed to cover three seasons. Sole rookie Zhou Guanyu is contracted only for 2022. Alfa Romeo is also keeping tabs on Formula 2 title contender Theo Pourchaire, who it supports through its Sauber Motorsport arm.

Haas: Kevin Magnussen’s surprise last-minute deal came with a multi-year deal but Mick Schumacher’s future is less clear. The Ferrari-supported driver is in year two but has so far struggled, while his predicament has not been aided by a couple of large accidents.