The 2024 Formula 1 silly season – where rumours swirl around the paddock concerning driver’s futures – is set to be a dramatic one with more than half the grid on expiring deals.
The likes of Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are all on long-term deals and Lance Stroll’s future seems assured as long as his father is in place as team owner at Aston Martin.
Alex Albon and George Russell are contracted through 2025 at Williams and Mercedes respectively and after Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster switch to Ferrari was announced, the seven-time World Champion’s future is also determined.
Hamilton’s shock switch to Ferrari has set the wheels in motion for silly season ahead of any racing action in 2024 and leaves a dozen drivers with their futures in the balance, including the likes of Daniel Ricciardo, Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg and Zhou Guanyu who all gave their thoughts on the matter during a press conference on the first day of pre-season testing last Wednesday.
Hulkenberg, a name floated on Audi’s radar ahead of the German marque’s arrival in 2026, said; “It’s no secret that there’s a lot of contracts expiring at the end of this year. But it’s kind of a natural process, once we start the season and then see where we’re at, how well you can perform, that obviously has a big impact on that too.
“But things just happen unfold, you know, a lot of us are experienced and it’s not the first time we go through this process and cycle. So personally, I’m fairly relaxed about it, just focused on optimizing and maximizing what I have with my team and then see what opportunities come my way or not.”
Ricciardo meanwhile will surely have designs on claiming Perez’s seat at Red Bull for 2025 and no doubt the Mexican wants to prove he can extend his stay in Milton Keynes to a fifth season.
Both drivers, like Hulkenberg, admit for now the best thing to do is leave your talking for out on the track.
“I think on track, obviously you make life easier for yourself,” said Ricciardo.
“And so that’s really where the focus is. I think, you know, [we’ve] seen a lot happen the last few weeks.
“It was nice to not be involved in anything. Obviously I’ve been a part of some silly seasons before, so I was enjoying a more quiet time off.”
Perez added, “I think the main focus, especially starting a new season, for me is just to perform on track.
“I think if we’re able to do that, the rest always takes care of itself. So it’s such a long year.
“The main priority is to get the season started, start with the right foot and then the rest will take care of itself.”
Zhou, who has yet to secure a long-term deal throughout his brief F1 career at Sauber, reiterated the thoughts of his peers, “If you perform well, there will be opportunities open.
“So yeah, right now, just focus on, you know, get the season starting in a good way.”
