Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes contract leaves four F1 stars with uncertain futures
One of Formula 1's most open secrets is now out, with Lewis Hamilton officially extending his contract with Mercedes.
The multiple world champion has officially agreed a two-year extension, keeping him with the team until the end of the 2025 season. This is despite a challenging 2023 season, without a single race victory for Hamilton or for Mercedes as a team.
With Hamilton sticking around, there are still some more Formula 1 drivers with uncertain futures just months from the end of the current season. Four men involved in the 2023 season are not assured of a drive next term, and Mirror Sport has taken a closer look at all four.
Yuki Tsunoda
Tsunoda hasn't picked up many points for AlphaTauri this season, with just three top-10 finishes. However, he has impressed enough to likely earn a new deal.
Red Bull's Helmut Marko spoke about the Japanese driver in August. Marko has influence on AlphaTauri's line-up, and his comments will be reassuring for Tsunoda.
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"Of course that depends on the further results," Marko told Kleine Zeitung. "But there are already discussions with our partner Honda. You can assume that it will happen if you take this year's performances."
What changes are you anticipating in F1 this year? Have your say in the comments section
Yuki Tsunoda is not yet guaranteed a 2024 drive (AFP via Getty Images)Daniel Ricciardo
Ricciardo returned to F1 duty earlier this season, replacing Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri. The Australian raced in Hungary and Belgium, but a broken metacarpal kept him out of the Dutch Grand Prix.
"It went well, it was successful," Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said of Ricciardo's hand surgery. "The bone was broken in multiple places but it was a fairly straightforward procedure.
"So now it's all about recovery. We'll see. For a normal being, that would be a couple of months. For a Grand Prix driver it's probably much shorter."
Daniel Ricciardo raced twice with AlphaTauri before injury struck (HOCH ZWEI/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)Ricciardo will also sit out the Italian Grand Prix, with Liam Lawson continuing to deputise. Ricciardo still looks more likely than not to continue in 2024, but New Zealander Lawson has a chance to stake a claim of his own.
Zhou Guanyu
Chinese driver Zhou has four points in 2023, courtesy of a pair of ninth-place finishes. The second of those came back in June, in the Spanish Grand Prix, and he appeared quietly confident of continuing with Alfa Romeo.
"I want to have a clear picture before the summer ends, that's for sure, and we have to see what to do to make everything happen on paper," Zhou said earlier this year. "My manager is discussing with the team, so we have to see. This time last year I was more worried than right now because I feel like the team is quite happy with the job we were able to do. I'm just continuing to work as I did.
Zhou Guanyu is waiting to discover his Alfa Romeo future (Diogo Cardoso/DeFodi Images/REX/Shutterstock)"I think things will come but it takes a bit of time to figure out. I feel reasonably happy with the scenario and also with the people I've been working for, so obviously very happy to continue for the future. My priority is trying to stay here. After two years I really feel I'm settled well within the team."
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Logan Sargeant
Sargeant has yet to pick up a point in his debut F1 season. However, the Williams driver is expected to continue with the team next term.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Sport earlier this month, Williams chief James Vowles confirmed no active conversations were going on with other drivers. This is good news for the 22-year-old, though a new deal has yet to be confirmed.
Logan Sargeant is still waiting for his first points (Federico Basile/IPA/REX/Shutterstock)"My Plan A is investing in Logan and making sure we get the absolute most out of him," Vowles said. "We keep forgetting that these guys and girls are in their young 20s. That's it. They're composed, educated individuals who know they are going to have to deliver.
"In Logan's case, he knows this is a meritocracy and he knows he needs to perform. But there's a no-blame culture. If you take someone and say, 'You're not doing a good enough job', what happens? It doesn't particularly help the situation. What he needs to know is that he has tremendous potential in him and he knows that. He knows that we tried to accelerate his journey into the sport one year too early, but it was the right decision at the time.
"What he needs now is an environment where he's able to take all that learning and use it to good effect, not worry about issues or mistakes but learning to build on them week in, week out. And that's the environment we're creating around him at the moment. It will take time."
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