Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

2022 Formula 1 Driver Market Confirmed: Which drivers are going where?

F1 silly season is upon us, but what does it look like? Find out which drivers are confirmed, and which drivers could be driving in Formula 1 in 2022, here.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M, and the rest of the field at the start

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M, and the rest of the field at the start

Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

While multiple Formula 1 driver deals have been confirmed for 2022, only a handful of race seats still need to be officially filled. Here’s how next year’s grid is shaping up.

Mercedes

Mercedes, arguably, has been the team with the most attention on its driver line-up. Rumours of Mercedes young driver George Russell getting the call up have surrounded it for years, though so far Valtteri Bottas has managed to bat them away with single-year contracts. Russell’s outstanding performance as replacement for Hamilton in the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix gained him further praise and tipped him as a future Mercedes driver.

Confirmed 2022 drivers:

George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 and Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-AMG F1

George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 and Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-AMG F1

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

Red Bull

Red Bull are in a similar position to Mercedes: stuck with the unenviable task of finding a team-mate to match a mercurial talent. While Verstappen is tied to the team for at least two more seasons, the infamous second seat at Red Bull had been more open, but the team as opted to stick with current driver Sergio Perez.

Confirmed 2022 drivers:

  • Driver 1: Max Verstappen – Verstappen’s current Red Bull contract, agreed in January 2020, runs into the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
  • Driver 2: Sergio Perez - The Mexican was signed on a one-year deal for the 2021 season, however after an impressive start partnering Verstappen, his contract was extended for 2022 ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

McLaren

McLaren already has drivers in both of its seats, with both Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo likely staying until at least 2023. This consistency in its driver line-up could help it continue the improvements the team has been making over the recent years.

Confirmed 2022 drivers:

Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren MCL35M, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M

Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren MCL35M, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Aston Martin

Aston Martin has also confirmed its driver line-up with both Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll heading up the Silverstone-based team.

Confirmed 2022 drivers:

  • Driver 1: Sebastian Vettel – The former world champion’s contract with Aston Martin runs into next season, and there is talk of an extension.
  • Driver 2: Lance Stroll – Stroll’s place at Aston Martin, owned by his father Lawrence, is secure for the foreseeable future.

Alpine

Alpine has retained both drivers for 2022. Esteban Ocon has secured a new contract which runs until the end of the 2024 season, while Fernando Alonso has agreed to the second year option on his current deal.

Confirmed 2022 drivers:

Fernando Alonso, Alpine F1, celebrates with Esteban Ocon, Alpine F1, 1st position, in Parc Ferme

Fernando Alonso, Alpine F1, celebrates with Esteban Ocon, Alpine F1, 1st position, in Parc Ferme

Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images

Ferrari

Ferrari also has a full complement of drivers heading into the 2022 season, despite its burgeoning young driver programme including current F1 drivers Antonio Giovinazzi and Mick Schumacher.

Confirmed 2022 drivers:

AlphaTauri

AlphaTauri's current line-up of Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda will retain their seats for 2022 despite a wide range of options within the Red Bull junior programme.

Confirmed 2022 drivers:

  • Driver 1: Pierre Gasly - The young Frenchman is on a long-term Red Bull contract until the end of 2023 and, following some impressive results in 2021, he's retained his AlphaTauri seat for at least one more year.
  • Driver 2: Yuki Tsunoda - Tsunoda is confirmed to be keeping his seat at AlphaTauri for 2022 despite a turbulent year thus far, giving him more chance to improve and show his true pace.
Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri AT02

Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri AT02

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo has a tough choice on its hands, and the team might be the only one to enter 2022 with two new drivers. Kimi Raikkonen has confirmed he will retire from F1 at the end of 2021, opening the door for Valtteri Bottas to replace him. Antonio Giovinazzi's current contract expires at the end of 2021, and rumours around his place at the team have been flying.

Confirmed 2022 drivers:

Haas

Haas will stick with an unchanged line-up for next year with Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin. The two rookies have been learning the ropes so far in 2021, and the sponsorship attached to both of them helps them continue in 2022.

Confirmed 2022 drivers:

  • Driver 1: Nikita Mazepin - Mazepin signed a multi-year deal for the 2021 season and beyond.
  • Driver 2: Mick Schumacher - The German will stay for a second season with Haas after finalising his contract.

Williams

Along with Mercedes, the drivers at Williams for 2022 are hotly anticipated. With George Russell being promoted up to Mercedes, the team has called on current Red Bull F1 reserve driver Alex Albon for 2022, while also retaining Nicholas Latifi for a third season. Following the 2020 sale of the William team to Dorilton Capital the firm have had a new influx of cash, reducing the need for pay drivers.

Confirmed 2022 drivers:

Nicholas Latifi, Williams FW43B , George Russell, Williams FW43B

Nicholas Latifi, Williams FW43B , George Russell, Williams FW43B

Photo by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Images

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation

Related video

Previous article Masi denies favouring Red Bull in F1 rear wing changes
Next article Giovinazzi: When money rules F1 can be "ruthless"

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe