Seat changes - a round-up of all the driver changes across the F1 landscape
Seat changes - a round-up of all the driver changes across the F1 landscape, with just one driver yet to be confirmed
By Oli Dickson Jefford
Another year, another F1 driver merry-go-round.
Every season brings intrigue about which drivers may leave the sport, who may or may not keep their place at the team, and who will move elsewhere.
While seven teams have decided to retain their 2021 driver line-up, three teams have made changes...
The Finnish line: Bottas replaces retiring Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo were likely to change at least one driver, and they were the first team to confirm a new face with Valtteri Bottas joining the team.
Bottas is replacing fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who confirmed he is calling time on his F1 career following months of rumours.
A ten-time Grand Prix winner, 32-year-old Bottas brings an experience to Alfa Romeo that will be crucial as the team look to build a more competitive car.
His move left a gap at Mercedes, and many people’s dreams came true when it was announced who was joining the very next day…
Georgeous driving: Russell forms all-Brit line-up at Mercedes
There was never that much doubt that one day George Russell would be a Mercedes driver, with the Brit impressing when deputising for Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain last year.
One of the brightest talents of his generation, the 23-year-old has impressed during his time at Williams.
In a car that was at times the worst on the grid, Russell has overperformed and regularly made Q2 and at times Q3 this season, and has achieved top ten finishes in the car.
Many people hoped to see him move to Mercedes, especially after Bottas’ poor start to the season, and after weeks of rumours it was finally made official.
Several drivers have struggled when moving to a new team, but Russell shows the signs of someone who will be more than comfortable at Mercedes.
With Hamilton as his teammate he will not find it easy but he will surely embrace the challenge and could well contend for the title.
His highly-anticipated move left a gap at Williams, which was filled by a familiar face…
Albon to be wild: Alex back from the wilderness
Alex Albon was a fan favourite during his time in the sport, but it is not unfair to say his 2020 campaign at Red Bull didn’t go to plan.
While teammate Max Verstappen was regularly performing well, Albon was often lagging way behind and ended up as a victim of a classic Horner/Marko shake-up.
After an impressive season at Racing Point, Sergio Perez joined Red Bull and with no seats left elsewhere Albon found himself stuck as a test driver.
As rumours of him moving elsewhere picked up pace, it was confirmed he would join Nicolas Latifi at Williams as Russell’s replacement.
Williams traditionally have closer ties with Mercedes, meaning the move from Red Bull raised one or two eyebrows.
With the Williams car looking much improved recently and likely to improve further ahead of 2022, it could be the perfect opportunity for Albon to revitalise his career.
Which leaves just one thing up in the air…
Alfa Rome-who
Bottas will replace Raikkonen, but the fate of the second seat remains up in the air at Alfa Romeo.
The team are keen on F2 star Theo Pourchaire, but with that move not likely until the 2023 campaign uncertainty remains around 2022..
Antonio Giovinazzi is currently in that seat, but there have been no signs of the team either confirming he’ll stay or leave.
It’s a tricky situation; if Pourchaire is arriving for 2023, who would want to commit for just one year? We’ll have to wait and see...
Photo Credit: Getty Images