The drivers’ carousel stoppage will coincide with the conclusion of the F1 2020 season, and several teams, including Red Bull, are yet to firm up their pairing for next year.
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As it stands, the teams that have confirmed or are mostly settled with their line-ups for 2021 are – Mercedes, Ferrari, Racing Point, McLaren, Renault, and Williams.
But what about the rest of the teams? We predict the 2021 driver line-ups for the remaining seats in F1:
Red Bull
Despite the ongoing rumors about Red Bull placing Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez as options on their shortlist, it seems like Alex Albon could retain his seat after all.
The Anglo-Thai driver clearly has the talent and the potential to cut it at the very top but is currently lacking confidence.
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Eifel Grand Prix – Nurburgring, Nurburg, Germany – Red Bull’s Alexander Albon in the pits FIA/Handout via REUTERS
His podium finish at Mugello and several points finishes will not be forgotten that easily. And with some more experience, it is possible that Albon puts his best foot forward for 2021.
Alfa Romeo
If Kimi Raikkonen extends his stay at the team for another year, it will be a straight toss-up between Antonio Giovinazzi and Mick Schumacher. The latter has done well in the F2 Championship and is on course to win that title.
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Eifel Grand Prix – Nurburgring, Nurburg, Germany Alfa Romeo’s Mick Schumacher on the circuit wearing a protective face mask with his team ahead of the Grand Prix REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay
And although Giovinazzi has done decently in his time with Alfa Romeo, the team management might look to shake things up. Mick and Raikkonen would certainly make for a very good pairing.
Haas
This is perhaps the only team on the grid which is uncertain about both its drivers. In that context, Sergio Perez is too good to be left out in the cold without a drive for 2021, and could thus occupy one of the Haas seats.
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Tuscan Grand Prix – Mugello, Scarperia e San Piero, Italy – Racing Point’s Sergio Perez ahead of the Tuscan Grand Prix REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
As for the second seat, it could be a fresh face in current F2 racer Nikita Mazepin. His father, Dmitry Mazepin, has been reportedly interested in buying Haas, which could then see his son installed in one of the team’s cockpits.
READ MORE- Haas Boss Steiner Confirms Mazepin Interest in F1 Seat For 2021
AlphaTauri
Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri will most certainly retain star driver Pierre Gasly for 2021. But the debate lies about who will occupy the second seat, come winter testing time.
It is likely that Yuki Tsunoda will replace Daniil Kvyat, with the Honda-backed driver due for a test in Imola. The Japanese driver is quite fast, and so his first exposure in F1 could come thanks to Scuderia AlphaTauri.