Announcements galore over recent weeks have started to help piece together the 2017 F1 driver market puzzle. A major technical regulation change has perhaps persuaded some teams to retain their respective driver pairings for 2017. However, with experienced names such as Felipe Massa and Jenson Button not on the grid for next year, some teams have taken up options with younger drivers. Five of the top six teams are locked-in as of this time of writing, but there is intrigue regarding the whereabouts of several names on the grid when we hit Melbourne in March.
The 2017 F1 Driver Market
Mercedes
Nico Rosberg (GER) – Confirmed until the end of 2018
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) – Confirmed until the end of 2018
Somewhat unsurprisingly, World Champions-elect Mercedes will house the lukewarm relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg for another two years at least. 2017 will be the fifth season that the two have faced off against each other at the same team in F1.
Red Bull Racing-TAG Heuer
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) – ‘Long-term contract’
Max Verstappen (NED) – ‘Long-term contract’
The young yet very talented pairing of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen is locked-in for the foreseeable future. It would appear that this will be the case for a long time, unless the relationship turns frosty, or there is a sudden demotion to the sister team for one of the drivers.
Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel (GER) – Confirmed until the end of 2017
Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) – Confirmed until the end of 2017
A series of reliability issues, crashes, mistakes and off-track issues has resulted in 2016 being a disaster for Ferrari, when they were hoping to challenge Mercedes for the championship. 2007 Ferrari champion Kimi Raikkonen is arguably on borrowed time now, whilst a frustrated Sebastian Vettel will not want to exit on the terms that his predecessor (Fernando Alonso) did at the end of 2014.
Force India-Mercedes
Sergio Perez (MEX) – Confirmed until the end of 2017
Nico Hulkenberg (GER) – Confirmed until the end of 2017
Despite rumours that he was off elsewhere, Sergio Perez remains at Force India for 2017, acknowledging the two-year deal he signed at the end of 2015. Perez was arguably the centrepiece of the 2017 F1 driver market puzzle, and now he is in place, it should be expected that other drivers will fall in soon as well. Nico Hulkenberg will start his sixth year with the team over two stints.
Williams-Mercedes
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) – TBC
Lance Stroll (CAN) – TBC
Felipe Massa’s retirement has opened up a space at Williams for 2017. This is expected to be taken by FIA European Formula 3 Champion Lance Stroll – son of billionaire Lawrence Stroll. Stroll, 18, has been testing a 2014 car recently in preparation for his promotion. According to rumours, Valtteri Bottas has signed a two-year extension to his existing deal, but this is not set in stone just yet. An announcement is expected fairly soon.
McLaren-Honda
Fernando Alonso (SPA) – Confirmed until the end of 2017
Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL) – Contract length unknown
McLaren stalwart Jenson Button will step aside in 2017, which will allow the very hot prospect, Stoffel Vandoorne to finally make his proper F1 debut. Fernando Alonso will start the third and final year of his McLaren contract, and will decide whether he can be bothered with F1 any more during 2017. Button, who will be on a sabbatical, could re-enter Formula One in a similar manner to Alain Prost, or could fade away entirely like Mika Hakkinen.
Toro Rosso-Renault
Carlos Sainz Jr. (SPA) – ‘Long-term contract’
Daniil Kvyat (RUS) or Pierre Gasly (FRA) – TBC
The very rapid Carlos Sainz Jr. will start his third season with Toro Rosso in 2017. However, the identity of his team mate is still very much up in the air. Daniil Kvyat has found form in recent races at a pivotal moment in his career, whilst Red Bull-backed Pierre Gasly could well take the GP2 championship. It absolutely will be one of these two drivers, and at the moment it is looking favourable for Gasly.
Haas-Ferrari
Romain Grosjean (FRA) – Contract length unknown
Esteban Gutierrez (MEX) – TBC
Newcomers Haas will house Romain Grosjean for a second season, despite rumours that he could be back off to Enstone after being troubled in recent races. Grosjean’s team mate is expected to be the luckless Esteban Gutierrez once again, but it is understood that a decision is yet to be made. All we do know is that GP3 title contender, Charles Leclerc will not be in the second car next season.
Renault
Kevin Magnussen (DEN) – TBC
Jolyon Palmer (GBR) – TBC
Renault’s line-up for 2016 comprised of a mixture of leftovers from Lotus in the case of Jolyon Palmer and the best available driver at short notice in Kevin Magnussen. These two seats are now arguably the most valuable seats up for grabs in F1 now that other seats have been taken. Have Magnussen and Palmer done enough to retain their seats? That is very much up for debate, but the list of big, available names is very swiftly dwindling. However, Renault have a long list of drivers in thier academy including Sergey Sirotkin, Oliver Rowland and Nicolas Latifi. It is also believed that they could take former third driver Esteban Ocon on loan from Mercedes. From Magnussen’s eagerness to know Renault’s plans, it would appear that he has options elsewhere. If Renault does want an available-but-experienced driver, there could be a young Russian looking for work at the end of the year.
MRT-Mercedes
Pascal Wehrlein (GER) – TBC
Esteban Ocon (FRA) or Rio Haryanto (INO) or Jordan King (GBR) – TBC
It would be very surprising to see Pascal Wehrlein off elsewhere now that all of the other Mercedes-powered seats are pretty much set in stone. He is leaving his future down to his parent team but it would be amazing should he be left without a seat next year. The second seat is very much up in the air however. We know that former reserve driver, Alexander Rossi will not be in F1 next year, committing himself to IndyCar for the foreseeable future. Ocon could be off to Renault, which could pave the way for Rio Haryanto to return, now that he has found substantial financial backing once again. Another driver eyeing up a seat in F1 is GP2 driver Jordan King, but this would appear to be an unlikely choice.
Sauber-Ferrari
Marcus Ericsson (SWE) – TBC
Felipe Nasr (BRA) – TBC
The links between Marcus Ericsson and the investment team involved in Sauber will almost certainly guarantee the Swedish driver a fourth season in F1. If Felipe Nasr’s sponsorship continues to deliver despite the economic troubles in his native Brazil, then it would be unlikely to see him being ousted. However, should either driver not be on the grid next year, and Sauber would like to seriously consider young talent – they should look no further than Italian Antonio Giovinazzi, who has had a successful rookie season in GP2- almost as successful and as impressive as McLaren’s Stoffel Vandoorne.
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