In the world of Formula 1, the upcoming 2024 silly season promises to be an eventful one. With over half of the grid’s drivers currently on expiring contracts, rumors and speculation are running rampant throughout the paddock. However, there are a few exceptions to this uncertainty. Drivers like Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri have all secured long-term deals, while Lance Stroll’s position at Aston Martin seems secure as long as his father remains the team owner. Additionally, Alex Albon and George Russell have contracts in place with Williams and Mercedes respectively, extending until 2025.
The announcement of Lewis Hamilton’s surprising move to Ferrari has only added fuel to the already blazing fire of the silly season. As a seven-time World Champion, Hamilton’s decision has sent shockwaves through the sport and has left many wondering about the future of other drivers. Among those now facing uncertain futures are Daniel Ricciardo, Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg, and Zhou Guanyu. These drivers recently shared their thoughts on the matter during a press conference held on the first day of pre-season testing.
Hulkenberg, who has been linked to a potential move to Audi in 2026, acknowledged the multitude of expiring contracts at the end of this year. However, he remained calm and focused, recognizing that this is a natural part of the sport. With experience on his side, Hulkenberg understands that performance on the track will ultimately dictate the opportunities that come his way. For now, his main priority is to optimize and maximize his current situation with his team, and then see what the future holds.
Ricciardo, on the other hand, surely has aspirations of claiming Perez’s position at Red Bull for the 2025 season, and it is without a doubt that the Mexican driver wants to prove his worth in order to extend his stay in Milton Keynes for a fifth year. Both drivers, similar to Hulkenberg, acknowledge that the best course of action at the moment is to let their performance on the track do the talking. “I believe that on the track, you can make things easier for yourself,” stated Ricciardo. “That’s where our focus lies. We have witnessed a lot of events unfold in the past few weeks. It was refreshing to not be involved in any of it. I have experienced some chaotic seasons before, so I enjoyed the tranquility during my time off.” Perez added, “My main focus, especially at the start of a new season, is to perform well on the track. If we are able to do that, everything else will fall into place. It’s a long year ahead of us. The main priority is to kickstart the season on the right note, and everything else will follow suit.” Zhou, who has yet to secure a long-term contract throughout his short-lived F1 career at Sauber, echoed the sentiments of his fellow drivers, saying, “If you perform at a high level, opportunities will present themselves. So, at the moment, my sole focus is to ensure that the season starts off positively.”