Norris extended until 2025, where are the other drivers?

The first announcement concerning a driver on the grid fell this Wednesday February 9, 2022. So in full preparation for the new season of F1, Lando Norris et McLaren agreed on a contract extension until 2025.

« The opportunity to expand our relationship with Lando reflects not only our commitment but also our confidence in his talent, explained Andreas Seidl, the team's Team Principal. It is also a strong sign of confidence and commitment from Lando in us as a team and in our adventure until the fight for the title of champion."

Lando Norris is now the driver on the grid with the longest current contract. But what about his classmates, starting with his teammate? Daniel Ricciardo ?

• Leclerc, Or with et Bottas in the time

If Lando Norris does not seem close to leaving McLaren, the Australian is also on the cards for the long term. After a difficult first season at Woking, Daniel Ricciardo intends to relaunch this year and demonstrate to his managers that they were right to sign him until 2023 shortly before the start of the 2020 campaign. The former driver Red Bull will, however, have to work harder if he does not want the management of the English team to turn to the transfer market for next season and show him the exit door sooner than expected.

Favorite of Maranello, Charles Leclerc is not yet worried about his future and possible discussions around a contract extension. Leader of Scuderia Ferrari, the Monegasque is linked to the Reds until 2024. It is the same case for Esteban Ocon on the side ofAlpine. Relaunched in 2020 by the then still named tricolor team Renault who seems to be betting a lot on him, the Norman extended his lease last June and is not expected to change sides anytime soon.

New recruitAlfa Romeo for this 2022 season, Valtteri Bottas will not have to renegotiate his contract during the year as was the case each time with Mercedes during his adventure (2017/2021). Like Charles Leclerc and Esteban Ocon, the Finn is also linked to his team until 2024.

• Hamilton et Verstappen not in a hurry

In a world where long contracts are not necessarily commonplace, the big names do not have this problem. If he had waited until February 2021 to commit to the season, Lewis Hamilton acted its extension until 2023 from June last year.

Recent world champion and strong man of his team, Max Verstappen remains faithful to Red Bull since his extension signed in January 2020 takes him until 2023. Supported by the Austrian firm, Pierre Gasly also has a contract running until the same year but with Alpha Tauri, the sister stable.

• More than half of the grid at the end of the contract

If Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris or even Max Verstappen are not yet worried about their future, many drivers are playing big in this 2022 season. Haas, Nikita mazepin et Mick Schumacher were only extended for one year, thus not ensuring their respective futures.

Member of Scuderia Ferrari since 2021, Carlos Sainz reaches the end of his contract. If the possibility of seeing him only 2 years in red and then giving way to Mick Schumacher had been mentioned on the other side of the Alps, the Iberian made an impression in Maranello and an extension would not be excluded at the actual hour.

The young grid guard for his part is playing big this year. For his arrival in Formula 1, Guanyu-Zhou only signed a one-year contract with Alfa Romeo just like Alex Albon with Williams who is making his return after being sidelined in 2021 by Red Bull. His future teammate Nicholas latifi is in the same situation as the Thai and will have to perform if he wants to continue the adventure with Grove.

The veterans will also have to show that they still have it under their belt. At 40 and 34 years old, Fernando Alonso et Sebastian Vettel no longer have their former strength but are still hungry. Still passionate about F1, the first city does not rule out the possibility of extending his career beyond 2022. It remains to be convinced Alpine on the track. Concerning the second, its results will have to improve even if Aston Martin could rely on his experience to support his teammate Lance stroll whose contract which also expires this year should be extended.

Members of the Red Bull fold, Sergio Pérez and Yuki tsunoda are also in the same situation as the recent names mentioned. Respectively reappointed to Red Bull and AlphaTauri, the Mexican and the Japanese will have to satisfy their leaders to ensure a seat in 2023.

Concerning George Russell, Mercedes announced the signing of the Englishman for “several years”. The former Williams has therefore signed a contract lasting at least until 2023 with the Brackley team, perhaps longer…