Is Lotus coming back to F1 in 2023?

The F1 2023 grid is now complete, with multiple drivers set to leave Formula 1 entirely at the end of the year and some new – and old – faces due to enter.

‘Silly season’ is one of the key features of the Formula 1 calendar, with the annual ‘musical chairs’ of the drivers filling seats inevitably leaving some without a drive, while securing moves up and down the grid for others.

The top three teams in the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes, all have settled driver line-ups as too has Alfa Romeo.

But for McLaren, Alpine, Aston Martin and AlphaTauri there will be a new face in the mix as too with Haas.

The American team confirmed its line-up on the eve of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, leaving Williams the only team with an open seat although it is one that already has Logan Sargeant’s name pencilled in.

Pencil then became permanent marker after Sargeant did what he needed to do in the F2 season finale to acquire his Super Licence.

Here’s the complete 2023 line-up:

Mercedes F1 2023 drivers

The Mercedes driver line-up of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will be in place again for another season in 2023 after first joining forces ahead of the 2022 campaign.

With Russell set to be part of the Mercedes furniture for many years to come, all eyes will once again be on Hamilton and whether he will extend his stay with the Silver Arrows beyond 2023…or decide to bring his legendary career to an end and pursue other interests.

Lewis Hamilton: Contract signed until the end of 2023

George Russell: Signed ‘long-term deal’ in 2022

Red Bull F1 2023 drivers

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have struck up something of a partnership at Red Bull, with the Mexican keeping pace with his team-mate in a way Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon could not, first earning a renewal for 2022 before signing fresh terms until the end of 2024.

Perez staying at Red Bull has shut a few doors on others looking to partner Verstappen at the head of the field, but it is a settled partnership next season for the Milton Keynes squad.

Max Verstappen: Signed mega contract at Red Bull, keeping him there until 2028

Sergio Perez: Penned a two-year extension until 2024 in Monaco

Ferrari F1 2023 drivers

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz formed Ferrari’s youngest ever driver line-up when they linked up for the first time in 2021. Leclerc’s future was already sorted on a long-term basis, with Sainz coming in on an initial two-year deal.

Sainz beat his team-mate in the points standings last year, and his strong performances have earned him two more years with the Scuderia, meaning both drivers’ contracts will run out at the same time.

Charles Leclerc: Previously signed long-term deal until the end of 2024

Carlos Sainz: Signed contract extension to last until 2024

McLaren F1 2023 drivers

After a summer break full of speculation, the very last day of the hiatus produced the news that surprised nobody – Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren are to part company at the end of 2022. It was officially by “mutual consent” but even Ricciardo admitted the team had made the decision.

His replacement was finally announced after a Contract Recognition Board hearing, McLaren declared to be the only team with a valid contract for Oscar Piastri’s services. He’ll be a rookie in 2023, signing a multi-year contract.

Lando Norris, meanwhile, has earned himself a four-year deal with McLaren that reportedly put him in the top three earners in Formula 1, such has been his rise.

Lando Norris: Future secured with McLaren until 2025

Oscar Piastri: Signed multi-year deal

Alpine F1 2023 drivers

Esteban Ocon earned himself a multi-year extension with Alpine last year after an excellent start to life alongside the returning Fernando Alonso, taking his first race victory in the process.

Two-time former World Champion Alonso shocked the Formula 1 world with an abrupt announcement that he would be joining Aston Martin for 2023, with Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri initially announced by Alpine for 2023…only for the driver himself to say he will not be driving for the team! As mentioned above, Piastri is on his way to McLaren instead.

In the hunt for a new driver, Alpine turned their sights on Pierre Gasly but needed AlphaTauri to agree to release him from his current deal. They did so, Alpine confirming Gasly at Suzuka.

Esteban Ocon: Signed a three-year contract extension to take him through to 2024.

Pierre Gasly: Signed a multi-year deal starting 2023

Aston Martin F1 2023 drivers

Both Aston Martin drivers were out of contract at the end of the year, and there was a lot of intrigue sparked in the paddock when Sebastian Vettel announced he will be retiring from the sport when his deal expires at the end of 2022.

Rumours were rife as to who would replace the four-time World Champion, but the team moved quickly to secure the services of Fernando Alonso from Alpine just a few days later – with a key piece of the F1 2023 puzzle falling into place.

In less shocking news, Lance Stroll was also confirmed as the other half of the Aston Martin line-up as part of the Alonso confirmation

Fernando Alonso: Signed on a ‘multi-year’ contract to replace Vettel.

Lance Stroll: Confirmed as Alonso’s team-mate.

Alfa Romeo F1 2023 drivers

Valtteri Bottas left Mercedes when George Russell was brought in as his replacement alongside Lewis Hamilton, moving to Alfa Romeo on the first multi-year contract of his career, giving the 10-time race winner the security he has craved in Formula 1.

In the lead up to the Singapore Grand Prix, Alfa Romeo announced their line-up will be remaining unchanged for the 2023 season as Zhou Guanyu signed a new one-year contract extension.

Valtteri Bottas: Signed on a deal “for 2022 and beyond”, thought to run until 2024.

Zhou Guanyu: Signed a new one-year contract extension

AlphaTauri F1 2023 drivers

The driver situation at AlphaTauri was interesting one. Pierre Gasly had already been signed, confirmed and confirmed again to the Red Bull programme until the end of 2023, but then Helmut Marko suddenly had a change of heart and said it’s okay if he left but only if AlphaTauri could find the right driver to replace him.

They did just that, signing 2022 Italian GP points-scoring debutant Nyck de Vries, the driver confirmed as Gasly’s replacement just moments after Alpine announced they’d signed the Frenchman.

De Vries’ team-mate had already been confirmed, AT keeping faith with Yuki Tsunoda for a third season. But, as Franz Tost has already pointed out, a driver should be given three season to prove himself and 2023 will be Tsunoda’s third.

Nyck de Vries: Signed what looks to be a one-year deal for 2023

Yuki Tsunoda: Handed a third season with Red Bull’s junior team

Williams F1 2023 drivers

Alex Albon has been confirmed for a second season with Williams, given a multi-year contract after scoring all of the team’s points before the summer break in 2022.

Nicholas Latifi has largely played second fiddle to Albon, and the Canadian’s F1 journey will now come to an end following the conclusion of the 2022 campaign.

Williams Academy driver Logan Sargeant is now set to replace Latifi for 2023, with team boss Jost Capito confirming his seat if he secures the required Super Licence points from the end of the Formula 2 season.

Alex Albon: Signed on a multi-year contract from 2023 onwards.

Logan Sargeant: Joins grid with Williams after securing his Super Licence

Haas F1 2023 drivers

Kevin Magnussen was drafted back into Formula 1 after the abrupt sacking of Nikita Mazepin before the start of the season, and he has slotted seamlessly back into the sport, and his future is secure beyond the end of the year.

He’ll have a new team-mate next season as Haas have announced they won’t be renewing Mick Schumacher’s contract and have instead signed the “solid, reliable racer” that is Nico Hulkenberg. After three seasons without a full-time race seat, he’ll be on the 2023 grid.

Kevin Magnussen: Rejoined Haas on a “multi-year deal” replacing Mazepin

Nico Hulkenberg: He’s back on the F1 grid for 2023

Who is leaving F1 2023?

Is Lotus coming back to Formula 1?

What teams will be in F1 2023?

Is Lotus getting an F1 team?