News this week of Valtteri Bottas and George Russell moving teams has filled in most of the 2022 F1 driver line-up. But where are there still vacancies, and how many seats are left?
Most 2022 F1 drivers now confirmed
The two biggest pieces of the F1 driver market have now been filled in.
George Russell’s move to Mercedes was widely expected, which was confirmed on Tuesday morning.
News of the announcement was held back until out-going Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas had made public his plans.
Bottas’s move to Alfa Romeo was released on Monday afternoon, with Russell’s own then held back so it would not overshadow Bottas.
Bottas will replace fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo as the latter retires at the end of the season.
The news of Bottas and Russell switching teams now means that of the 20 available F1 seats, 15 are now fully confirmed for 2022.
Who is still yet to be confirmed?
There are only two seats that need to be realistically filled on the 2022 grid.
Nicholas Latifi is widely expected to continue into a third season at Williams post Russell’s departure.
Alex Albon of Red Bull is a contender for that seat, with an announcement close.
The other remaining empty slot on the grid is who will partner Bottas at Alfa Romeo.
Antonio Giovinazzi is the current occupant of that seat, but his lack of consistency has put his place in doubt.
Giovinazzi is currently in the Alfa seat that Ferrari fills, but team boss Frederic Vassuer has indicated he will be free to choose Bottas’s teammate.
Mercedes Formula E champion Nyck de Vries has been heavily touted as a contender with Mercedes’ Toto Wolff keen to find an F1 seat for the Dutchman.
Elsewhere, AlphaTauri has confirmed that both Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda will race for the squad in 2022.
Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll are officially yet to be announced at Aston Martin, but it is highly unlikely that either will be dropped.
2022 F1 driver line-up
As of Tuesday, 7th September
- Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
- Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
- McLaren: Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris
- Aston Martin: Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll
- Alpine: Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon
- Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr
- AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda
- Alfa Romeo: Valtteri Bottas and TBA
- Haas: Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin
- Williams: Nicholas Latifi and TBA