As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt worldwide, it remains impossible to say with certainty when the new Formula 1 season will finally begin. Drivers are doing all they can to keep sharp and stay fit for whenever the season is able to start, putting in the hours in their home gyms and taking part in sim racing events to get their racing fix.
But with so much time to kill while in self-isolation, all 20 drivers will surely be giving thought to what their future in F1 may look like. For the majority of the grid, it is a question that needed answering this year anyway.
The driver market heading into 2021 was set to be one of the most volatile in years. Just four drivers had firm contracts sewn up. Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen penned long-term contracts to remain with Ferrari and Red Bull respectively during the off-season. Sergio Perez agreed a three-year deal with Racing Point last August, while Esteban Ocon is set at Renault for the next two seasons.