More news during the silly season/break of F1.
It is reported that McLaren had already told Ricciardo he is being given the boot even when he is still under contract for 2023. In doing so they are opening up the seat for Piastri.
Haas has stopped contract negotiation with Mick now that it is confirmed Mick can't move to Aston with Alonso taken up Vettel's seat. Haas think they hold all the cards on contract talk. Would Ferrari let Mick slide off the grid after this year? I don't believe so. They either gonna put extra pressure to Haas to keep Mick, or move him to Alfa. But the Alfa seat seems more secure for Zhou as he brings in Chinese dollars. Sauber also have Theo Pourchaire in the waiting room from their own academy program if they wanted to go a different direction.
Who could Haas sign if they want someone else? Surely they can't afford Ricciardo, and Ricciardo may not want to drive for Haas. Piastri is already spoken for, twice.
Another wild card is Zhou, while he doesn't have a contract with Alfa next year, as I understands, he signed with Alfa for 2022 while retaining his link with Alpine. unlike when Albon signed with Williams where he had renounced his Red Bull link. Could Alpine tap Zhou to fill in the empty seat for 2023? Or would Haas grab Zhou?
Williams have a 'empty' seat. Latifi is gone for sure after this year, but Williams already have the American Logan Sergeant lined up. But maybe Haas wants to incept for the American? Haas/Williams, hmm, Williams made the investment but Haas seems like they have a faster car. Tough choice for Sergeant.
One thing I know for sure, future of F1 is gonna be full of young guns that's full of potentials.
Say Max wins the WDC this year, very likely, but someone else wins it the year after, say Leclerc. And Hamilton retired after this year or next. 2024 there will only be 2 drivers with multiple WDC, Alonso and Max with 2 each, plus whoever wins 2023, say Leclerc. F1 has never had a grid with less champions on the grid since like forever. 3. Or 2 if Max wins a 3rd instead of Leclerc. By the time Alonso retires after the 2024 season, potentially there could only be one active WDC on the grid. Max with 4 titles.
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