Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel blew open Formula 1’s Silly Season before the 2020 campaign has even got underway by announcing they will not remain together for 2021.
Only incumbent Charles Leclerc, Racing Point’s Sergio Perez, Renault’s Esteban Ocon, and Mercedes-backed Williams racer George Russell currently have contracts which go beyond the 2020 campaign, which leaves 15 drivers on the current grid as possibilities to dress themselves in Maranello red next season.
Motorsport Week takes a look at the some of the most likely candidates who could fill the void.
Lewis Hamilton
Could Lewis Hamilton make one of the biggest moves in Formula 1 history by moving to Ferrari? It would be a huge story. The six-time world champion switches to Ferrari to try and win titles with three different teams, only Juan Manuel Fangio has achieved such a feat.
But it is unlikely. Hamilton has been backed by Mercedes throughout his entire career and values the virtue of loyalty in the highest regard.
Ferrari could throw a significant cheque in front of him and try to lure him that way, but a lack of a challenge to his crown at Mercedes could be a discerning factor. Why move to less competitive machinery and potentially lose the opportunity to challenge Michael Schumacher’s astonishing records?
Hamilton also has one eye on his post-racing career with Mercedes. The Leclerc factor also has to be considered. The 22-year-old has the confidence and backing of Ferrari. Hamilton has already cemented that status at Mercedes after eight seasons with season and has all the ingredients around him. That may take time to replicate at Ferrari.
Likelihood of signing? 3/10
Valtteri Bottas
There is rhyme behind the reason. Ferrari has been unable to break the dominance of Mercedes since 2014 and if they cannot get Hamilton, why not weaken both the World Champion and Mercedes in one fell swoop? It is the Bayern Munich tactic. In strengthening yourself you weaken your main rival.
Bottas knows the Mercedes set-up inside out as he now enters his fourth season with the team and in the process has worked up a tight-knit relationship with Hamilton as his team-mate.
The ability to be able to take on board potential sensitive technical information from Mercedes could also prove a vital lifeline for Ferrari to try and utilise to catch up to the Silver Arrows.
Ferrari came very close to signing Bottas before, for 2016, though ultimately retained Kimi Raikkonen. Bottas is quick, apolitical, and would surely be tempted by a dance in the red car.
Likelihood of signing? 4/10
Carlos Sainz Jr.
Should Ferrari want to go on the aggressive and look to youth for their line-up once again, they could find a place for Sainz Jr. During debut season at Toro Rosso alongside Max Verstappen in 2015, he was more than capable of holding his own despite their points difference at the end of the season.
While Verstappen secured the move up to the senior Red Bull team, Sainz Jr. thrived for Toro Rosso, and pushed through a switch to Renault, before excelling with McLaren last year.
Despite handing a Leclerc a long-term deal, signing Sainz Jr. would help ensure there would not be a lack of complacency, as the two young drivers would undoubtedly push each other very hard, but the possibility of friction is something of which the team would be wary.
Would Sainz Jr. want to up sticks from McLaren to Ferrari? Yep. It’s Ferrari.
Likelihood of signing? 8/10
Antonio Giovinazzi
Ferrari-affiliated Giovinazzi is ‘next in line’, so to speak, but unlike Leclerc was never part of its Academy team, signed only after his GP2 season, when he placed runner-up to Pierre Gasly.
Giovinazzi then had to wait two years until getting a full-time Formula 1 seat and had a good but not great maiden campaign. He was kept on by Alfa Romeo for 2020 but there’s little evidence so far that screams Ferrari driver, even as a concrete number two.
Would Ferrari be likely to sign him up and keep everything in-house and done their own way? Possibly. But their lack of title glory in over 10 years, and the available alternatives, could prove to be a motivator to break with traditions.
Likelihood of signing? 4/10
Daniel Ricciardo
The Australian is the second and final year of his contract with Renault but has made it clear he would be open to listening to any calls which came his way.
He’s quick, marketable, and also has Italian heritage, three factors that wouldn’t exactly work against him. Renault’s future in F1 remains uncertain and the project so far has flattered to deceive, albeit with Ricciardo publicly reaffirming his commitment to the marque.
If Ricciardo could work with Leclerc, the line-up would be without doubt one of the best on the grid and it would be up to team to then provide a car worthy of their talents.
Likelihood of signing? 8/10
Nico Hulkenberg
A deal was once on the table for Hulkenberg to join Ferraru for the 2014 season, but it was decided Raikkonen would be allowed to return to the fold, leaving the German returning to Force India after a foray with Sauber.
Hulkenberg was left without a 2020 seat after his Renault deal came to an end, though held talks with Haas, and was understood to be a prime candidate for Alfa Romeo. However, at that juncture Ferrari still favoured persevering with Giovinazzi in the Alfa Romeo seat which it controls, leaving Hulkenberg out of the sport.
It would be a left-field choice for Ferrari but one that can’t be completely ruled out.
Likelihood of signing? 2/10
