Continuing from the previous blog about this season's drivers and teams. In this post, we will look at Haas, Ferrari, Red Bull, Williams but we will kick off with Mercedes...
Valtteri Bottas (77) and TBC
Bottas has one but the only seat available in the 2021 lineup belongs to the Silver Arrows. Lewis Hamilton, at the time of writing, has not put pen to paper on a new Mercedes deal. Toto Wolff has now committed the next three years of his life to the team based in Brackley. Will he do a Nico Rosberg and retire at the top? I don't think so. Hamilton still has a fire in his belly and wants that eighth world title to place him as the man with the most world titles in the history of the sport.
Nikita Mazepin (9) and Mick Schumacher (47)
Haas has completely gone in a different direction by signing two rookie drivers from Formula 2. Nikita Mazepin and Ferrari junior and F2 champion Mick Schumacher join the ranks at the American team. I believe they are planning for the 2022 rules overhaul.
Charles Leclerc (16) and Carlos Sainz Jr. (55)
Leclerc and new signing Sainz Jr. have two of the best drivers of F1's new generation. Charles pushed Vettel as the Maranello's number one driver over the past two seasons and Carlos, a fast and accomplished performer in his own right, will provide a fresh, new, and exciting challenge.
Max Verstappen (33) and Sergio Perez (11)
The rumour mill went into overdrive as there were reports that Mercedes were courting the Dutch driver away from red Bull but they were quashed when Verstappen signed a three-year extension keeping him in Milton Keynes till at least 2023.
Christian Hornor, team principal, and his team are known for being ruthless when axing drivers. Just ask Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly! However, an astute signing of Sergio Perez could be a stroke of luck. His form at the back end of last season warranted a chance to become the latest driver to take on the intimidating task of being team-mates to Max.
Nicholas Latifi (6) and George Russell (63)
After a storming drive at the Sakhir Grand Prix, Russell could have been thinking that this was his chance to be in a Mercedes car full time this season. It was not meant to be. However, George is coming to the last twelve months of his contract with Williams and is hoping to be knocking on the door of Mercedes to sign him up. Nicholas Latifi remains for a second term when both drivers and the famous team will be bidding to turn 2020 progress back into points in the first full year of its new ownership era.
That is your confirmed driver line-ups for the 2021 season. What do you think? Will Lewis sign that contract? Comment below and let us know your thoughts.
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