With Thursday’s announcements of Carlos Sainz joining Scuderia Ferrari and Daniel Ricciardo replacing Sainz at McLaren for 2021, Formula 1’s Silly Season is already underway, and Renault now has a seat available.
Sainz, 25, is a five-year veteran of Formula 1 who hasn’t been in a top-tier ride, yet. He’s had stints with Scuderia AlphaTauri, Renault, and has been a McLaren driver since the start of 2019. He earned his first podium just six months ago at the Grand Prix of Brazil.
The news of Sebastian Vettel not returning to Ferrari after 2020 left one of F1’s most coveted positions open. With Sainz taking the seat, he’ll be a true contender for the world championship for the first time in his career alongside 22-year-old Charles Leclerc.
According to Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto, the Sainz-Leclerc pairing is the youngest duo for the team in 50 years. Sainz is signed through the 2022 season. Binotto called this new wave of younger drivers for Ferrari “a new cycle with the aim of getting back to the top in Formula 1.”
Ricciardo, meanwhile, will pair nicely with 20-year-old Lando Norris at McLaren. Aside from their tremendous driving talents, the two have a strong friendship, and their comedic antics will bode well in drawing fan interest. They’re active social media users and not too shy about making jokes.
“Daniel is a proven race-winner, and his experience, commitment, and energy will be a valuable addition to McLaren and our mission to return to the front of the field,” McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl said.
Renault, however, will now need to replace Ricciardo. What drivers might be candidates for the seat?
Renault Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul says the team is focused on being a top-team in 2022 when the new regulations are in effect and will focus its spending on the technology of the car. So, if the group decides to use a cheaper option at driver, it could reach into its junior driver academy.
Guanyu Zhou and Christian Lundgaard are the two drivers from the Renault organization that are currently in Formula 2.
What about former driver Nico Hulkenberg?
Hulkenberg spent three seasons with Renault through the end of last season. Esteban Ocon replaces the German driver for 2020, though, and Hulkenberg will not participate in this year’s championship. In theory, he could be teammates with the driver that took his spot in 2021.
The current season is set to begin on July 5 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. As of Thursday, the calendar has 12 scheduled Grands Prix, but Formula 1 says it is aiming to run 15-18 races.
