Nearly all the Formula 1 seats for the 2024 season are spoken for.
Talking to Sky Deutschland at Monza, Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher, rumoured for a possible move to Williams in place of struggling rookie Logan Sargeant, said, “not much is happening at the moment” regarding any shifts in the driver lineup.
Both Mercedes and Aston Martin have recently confirmed their current drivers for the upcoming season.
Chinese driver Guanyu Zhou, who has been facing issues with his sponsors back home, remains uncertain as Sauber, currently racing as Alfa Romeo, considers its roadmap to becoming a factory Audi team by 2026.
Valtteri Bottas, who already has a contract for next year, thinks Zhou should remain in the sport.
“I think he’s made progress from last year,” the Finn stated.
“He’s made a big step in performance but also confidence and technical knowledge and I think he really deserves a place in Formula 1. And he’s a nice guy as well.
“Really good guy to work with.”
Red Bull’s sister team, Alpha Tauri, has a 2024 slot open that could go to Daniel Ricciardo, but his recent hand injury at Zandvoort has added complexity as fill-in driver Liam Lawson is already showing promise.
“The baptism of fire is over,” Dr. Helmut Marko told Kleine Zeitung. “Now he’s spent time in the simulator and that should help him.
“He has proven impressively that he is suitable for Formula 1,” said Marko, speaking about the 21-year-old New Zealander. “Now he has to confirm that in these next races.”
The Austrian added that Ricciardo, 33, is in “good spirits” while he recovers from hand surgery, though he will miss a few weeks of action.
“Singapore will also be difficult because it’s so physically demanding,” Marko continued, acknowledging that the following week at Suzuka will also be challenging for Ricciardo’s return.
As for Alpha Tauri’s other seat, it appears Yuki Tsunoda is on track for a fourth consecutive season.
“I definitely see Yuki in the team next year,” said outgoing team principal Franz Tost. “That’s more or less already fixed.”
