Desperate search for pilots: help, the driver market has dried up

It goes without saying that the pilots are usually the highest paid employees – unless they buy in. But the earlier days of paid drivers are basically over. The exceptions might be Zhou (China) and Sargeant (US).

At the moment, only Mercedes and McLaren-Mercedes are satisfied with their driver duo. Red Bull-Honda has no quick alternative to Pérez with Norris (McLaren) and Albon (Williams) on contracts until the end of 2025.

Ferrari duo for contract

Alpine has few options besides Ocon and Gasly. Aston Martin-Mercedes has owner son Stroll on its neck. And Ferrari is likely to renew contracts with the often dissatisfied Leclerc and Sainz, but has constant tire problems.

Williams is happy with rookie Sargeant (11th at Silverstone) since the car was modified. But who should replace him? Mick Schumacher chases all teams with a Mercedes engine.

If necessary in the Alpha Tauri

In short, the driver market has dried up! Even if Ricciardo (“I want to go back to Red Bull”) would be in the car of Alpha Tauri, which was at the bottom of the World Cup, at all. For De Vries, who has to go sometime.

Hardly any driver from Formula 2 offers himself without reservation: Martins, Vesti, Pourchaire, Iwasa. In Japan, Lawson is waiting for a GP opportunity in a foreign championship. The problem: you have to give a normal talent three years. And nobody has. Norris, Russell or now Piastri remain exceptional talents.

Haas: Magnussen for the end?

At Haas (three Ferrari engine failures in the last three races), Magnussen’s time is finally up. He retired at the end of February 2022 because the US team had to remove the Russian Mazepin and his main sponsor.

Before the disappointing Schumi, Haas brought compatriot Hülkenberg back into Formula 1 after three years. At the age of 36, he will not stay forever either.

Everything is whitewashed

At Noch-Alfa-Sauber the situation is difficult. Team representative Bravi never blames his own camp in long messages, talks it out and forgets that you were relegated to the penultimate place at the World Cup on Sunday.

The fans can spend hours discussing the current performance of Bottas and Zhou. We just say: a few weeks ago, technical director Monchaux was fired on September 1.

Since then, CEO Seidl has already been thinking about the future of Audi and is bringing back James Key. Perhaps a review of the driver question is also time.