As Formula 1 waits for the racing to begin in 2020, the driver market could be about to kick into high gear.
This year was set to see one of the most active ‘silly seasons’ in recent times with only a handful of seats currently taken for 2021.
Max Verstappen quickly ended one of the main stories by announcing a new three-year deal at Red Bull back in January, but the fate of Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton remains unknown.
Before the coronavirus, it seemed as though the six-time world champion was almost certain of another new contract at Mercedes and was simply biding his time.
But more questions were being raised around Vettel, as it was suggested a one-year extension had been offered by Ferrari but with the caveat of a hefty pay cut.
Well according to Motorsport.it, a clearer picture could emerge as soon as the end of this month with teams starting to want more clarity on whether they will be staying for 2021.
“Several rumours collected in the last few days confirm that both Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel will have to communicate their intentions to their respective teams by the end of April, confirming or not the conditions agreed in the negotiations that have already carried out”, the report states.
The reason for the sudden push? Apparently team bosses are starting to consider the need to look at other drivers should either man opt not to re-sign for next year.
At Mercedes, there is less urgency as George Russell waits in the wings at Williams, though there is also the future of Valtteri Bottas which will also need to be resolved.
Meanwhile, Ferrari doesn’t have another youngster ready to step up as Charles Leclerc did last year and would have to look elsewhere, with Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo two names often mentioned as options.
Both are out of contract at their respective outfits after 2020, McLaren for Sainz and Renault for Ricciardo, but the Spaniard has been more determined to commit his future to the Woking-based squad, while the Aussie would be a more costly pick.
As it is, a lack of racing this year may well motivate both to stay on for one more at least, particularly as Mercedes and Ferrari will continue at the front of the grid alongside Red Bull as the current cars remain in place for an additional season.
