The mid-season 2021 milestone passed, the time has come for the transfer window in Formula 1. On the sidelines of the Belgian Grand Prix, several transfers have been made for the 2022 season. George Russell joins Mercedes, Bottas leaves for Alfa Romeo and Alexander Albon arrives at Williams.
As every year, it is from the Belgian Grand Prix that the transfer market is accelerating in Formula 1.
At the end of the summer break, some teams have chosen to keep their driver duo for 2022, others have chosen something new. Remember that next year, F1 will evolve with the arrival of new single-seaters (opposite) with different technical characteristics.
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George Russell arrives at Mercedes
Among the big announcements, those of the arrival of the talented George Russell at Mercedes. The British driver, a little protégé of the German team, will team up with Lewis hamilton in 2022. The 23-year-old driver, who made his debut in F1 in 2019, is having his best season in the main discipline after signing his 1er podium in Belgium. Russell, who already got it for Mercedes when Hamilton caught Covid-19 at the end of 2020, knows the task will not be easy. ” I have no illusions about the magnitude of the challenge “ confided the young man, Hamilton fan since his karting years!
Alexander Albon: the return!
The Thai pilot is back on track! Discarded from the Red Bull team at the end of the 2020 season in favor of Sergio Perez, Alexander Albon had become the reserve driver of the Austrian team. He was released from his commitments to be able to join Williams. According to a spokesperson for Red Bull “ a relationship will be kept for future projects “. He will team up with Nicholas Latifi, in whom the Williams team has renewed its confidence.
Valtteri Bottas at Alfa Romeo
Released … Delivered … Valtteri Bottas will soon no longer have the role of a good little soldier at Mercedes, where he has been driving since 2017. The Finn will leave the German team at the end of the 2021 season to join Alfa Romeo. The Swiss team signed a multi-year contract with him. ” A new chapter in my piloting career opens ”Said Bottas. Who to support him? It will not be Kimi Raïkkonen who officially announced his retirement at the end of the 2021 season. As for Antonio Giovinazzi, he has not yet been confirmed.
Alonso confirmed at Alpine
Fernando Alonso will therefore now be the veteran on the circuits. The Spanish rider has been extended to Alpine alongside Esteban Ocon. When the extension of his contract is announced, he did not hide his desire to return to victory, while the young French driver took the top step of the podium at the Hungarian Grand Prix last August.
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The duets that do not change …
As for the teams below, no change on the horizon. The pairs are kept for season 202. They are:
- Red Bull : Max Verstappen – Sergio Perez
- Alpha Tauri : Pierre Gasly – Yuki Tsunoda
- Ferrari : Charles Leclerc – Carlos Sainz
- Mclaren : Lando Norris – Daniel Ricciardo
Two teams have not yet officially renewed their confidence in their drivers, but it is certainly only a matter of hours or days. These are Aston Martin and Haas. Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll should leave for a season like Mick Schumacher. As for Nikita Mazepin, her financial contribution certainly ensures her a bucket list for several years!
F1: who’s driving where in 2022?
| Team | Pilots | |
| Mercedes | Lewis hamilton | George russell |
| Red Bull | Max Verstappen | Sergio Perez |
| Ferrari | Charles Leclerc | Carlos Sainz |
| Mclaren | Lando norris | Daniel Ricciardo |
| Alpha Tauri | Pierre Gasly | Yuki tsunoda |
| Alpine | Esteban Ocon | Fernando Alonso |
| Aston Martin | Sebastien Vettel * | Lance Stroll * |
| Alfa romeo | Valtteri Bottas | ? |
| Williams | Alexander Albon | Nicholas latifi |
| Haas | Mick Schumacher * | Nikita Mazepin * |
* to confirm
