Silly Season 2022: Tension building at Mercedes and the return of Hulkenberg?

Mercedes

At Mercedes, everything is still open. The contracts of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas both expire, and also the contracts of Mercedes juniors, Esteban Ocon and George Russell expire at the end of 2021. So Toto Wolff has plenty to choose from, but he won't want to change much. New rules are coming and the best way to attack them is with drivers who know the car.

From all sides, Ocon doesn't seem a likely candidate for Mercedes. Wolff let him negotiate with Alpine first. Hamilton will despite all the rumours be the number one candidate for Mercedes to keep as their frontrunner. The second man is the most interesting story.

That battle is between Bottas and Russell. Bottas has been proving himself as a loyal second fiddle for years, but cracks are starting to appear. Bottas didn't let Hamilton get ahead of him in Spain, and Bottas came up short in Imola. Russell seems to have more potential but often misses out on Sundays when there is a chance for points. Wolff is not one to take risks which suggests he will put Bottas next to Hamilton again in 2022.

Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen's contract with Red Bull Racing is set to run out, and with the current package in place, Verstappen won't be looking to leave Red Bull any time soon. The team is completely built around him, and with a completely new engine department, the future looks bright. All that's needed is the ideal teammate.

On paper, Sergio Perez could be that ideal teammate. He has the speed and experience and shows that already at times. Perez can reach the next level. Pierre Gasly has too many ups and downs, so Red Bull won't be taking him back any time soon. Yuki Tsunoda has also proven far too little to be considered for promotion.

McLaren

McLaren is the only team that is completely sure of two drivers in 2022. Daniel Ricciardo signed a three-year contract with his new employer last year, and Lando Norris recently signed a multi-year deal with the team where he made his F1 debut. A strong line-up for McLaren for the coming years.

Aston Martin

Also at Aston Martin, no big surprises are to be expected. As long as Lawrence Stroll is the owner of the team there will be a spot for his son Lance, and Sebastian Vettel is the figurehead the team needed. After a difficult start, Vettel seems to have found his rhythm now. Aston Martin won't be parting from him any time soon, a farewell only seems likely if Vettel doesn't feel like it anymore. Reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg would be more than happy to take his place.

Alpine

At Alpine they have a two year deal with Fernando Alonso. If the Spaniard continues to falter, the partnership might come to an end early but that is not in his nature. He will do everything he can to help the team develop a great car for 2022, and will be only too happy to be there.

Esteban Ocon's place was up for debate prior to the season, but the Frenchman is currently the team's best driver. It seems unlikely that the team would want to replace him. Pierre Gasly is a name that is often mentioned in connection with Alpine and as a Frenchman that is not very surprising, but if Alonso does not leave and Ocon continues to perform so well you have to ask yourself as Alpine if you want to make that change?

Ferrari

Ferrari also seems certain of two drivers in 2022. About Carlos Sainz's contract we can't give 100 percent certainty that he will also be active in 2022, but his performance in 2021 certainly entitles him to a second year. Charles Leclerc still has a contract for next season, so Ferrari can fully focus on 2022.

AlphaTauri

At AlphaTauri, there's always a coming and going of drivers so it's always difficult to predict who will be in the car next year. Yuki Tsunoda was seen as a huge talent and showed that in Bahrain. After that however he had a lot of mediocre performances, so he is already under pressure again.

Pierre Gasly is a certainty for AlphaTauri and with the upcoming rule changes mean he might be the man AlphaTauri needs to keep to shape the new car. The question is whether Gasly himself wants to stay with no prospect of a move to Red Bull, or whether there may be other teams who want the Frenchman.

With Jehan Daruvala, Juri Vips and Liam Lawson, Red Bull has three drivers in Formula 2 who are hoping for a move to Formula 1. The young Lawson is the most likely to do so, after his victory and third place during the first race weekend in Bahrain. Lawson will also race DTM with Alexander Albon in 2021. A good test for the New Zealander to show he has the speed.

Alexander Albon would be a good replacement for Pierre Gasly if he were to leave. Albon knows the car well, will test a lot this year and has the experience of a year and a half with Red Bull Racing. A stable force, who might be able to support a younger talent.

Alfa Romeo

At Alfa Romeo everything is still open. The contracts of Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi expire at the end of 2021. Giovinazzi is off to a good start in 2021 and is increasingly becoming the frontrunner at Alfa Romeo. With his Italian passport and ties to Ferrari it seems very logical for Alfa Romeo to hold on to him for 2022. Especially if he manages to continue this performance.

Kimi Raikkonen has been written off for several years, so let's not be too quick to do that for 2022. Still, Kimi turns 42 this year, and maybe it's time for fresh blood? Raikkonen himself might also want to retire at some point. You never know with Kimi though, and chances are Fred Vasseur will give him the choice himself.

The question is who will replace Raikkonen? Callum Ilott has been testing for the team and would love to make the switch. That would make the team a Ferrari B-team, but it would give Vasseur more money. The same goes for a possible arrival of Robert Shwartzman. There are also more experienced options like Nico Hulkenberg and possibly an Alexander Albon who are now on the sidelines. Alfa Romeo will probably wait a very long time to see if another driver might become available on the market. Think Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas or Esteban Ocon if they don't get a new contract?

Haas

For Haas, it seems reasonably certain that Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will also be active for the team in 2022. It was a long term project that the team started, and it would be strange if one of the two is dumped immediately. Schumacher also has a multi-year contract and Mazepin's father is the team's main sponsor.

Williams

Williams is the unknown factor on the grid for 2022. The team has been lagging behind in recent years, but with the new owners and major investments, the team wants to find the way to the front again. There is also talk of talented drivers. They should help the team to move forward again, unlike the pay-drivers of recent years.

In this regard, it seems a simple equation that Nicholas Latifi will leave at the end of the year. The Canadian has been trailing Russell for over a year now and will not be the driver to score points quickly for the team. Williams will be searching the market for new talent to fill this spot.

Williams would love to keep George Russell. The Brit puts the maximum into the car on Saturday and gets better and better on Sunday. His fate is in the hands of Mercedes though. If Mercedes gets him, Valtteri Bottas will become available. He drove for Williams in the past and might see opportunities to build this team up and bend it to his will.

Apart from Bottas, there are plenty of drivers who are interesting for Williams. Just like Alfa Romeo Williams will wait for developments at other teams. Ocon, Hulkenberg and Perez could also be interesting options for Williams.

Prediction of the 2022 Formula 1 grid

Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton / Valtteri Bottas

Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen / Sergio Perez

McLaren: Daniel Ricciardo / Lando Norris

Aston Martin: Sebastian Vettel / Lance Stroll

Alpine: Fernando Alonso / Esteban Ocon

Ferrari: Charles Leclerc / Carlos Sainz

AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly / Yuki Tsunoda

Alfa Romeo: Antonio Giovinazzi / Robert Shwartzman

Haas: Mick Schumacher / Nikita Mazepin

Williams: George Russell / Nico Hulkenberg