Predicting the 2024 grid with Andretti

2024 may seem like a mile away for some, but as contract talks are beginning to heat up heading into the middle of the 2022 season, it makes me wonder which drivers and even which teams we are going to be talking about this time next year.

All these predictions are purely hypothetical, and while talks of Andretti joining Formula 1 in the near future starts to gain some traction, I have decided to add the team to the 2024 grid to spice things up a little bit.

Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen has a commitment to Red Bull Racing up until the end of the 2028 season, and while the team currently sits well ahead in the constructor's championship in 2022, while Verstappen is also heading into the mid-season as the favourite to win the drivers' championship, I can't see this partnership breaking up anytime soon.

Sergio Perez

Sergio Perez recently signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the team until the end of the 2024 season. This was a move that might have surprised a few, but as a driver who was signed as a backup to the much-loved Max Verstappen, you can't ask much more.

Alpha Tauri

Yuki Tsunoda

Yuki Tsunoda’s future will always be one that is constantly being tossed up in the air, as the raw pace of the Japanese youngster is one to be reckoned with, yet the immaturity and race craft on the track seems to be letting him down. 2022 is his second year in the Alpha Tauri outfit, meaning he should only get better from here on out. As there are not many Red Bull Racing Academy drivers ready for the seat just yet, Tsunoda only just has this seat locked in for 2024.

Liam Lawson

Liam Lawson is a current Formula 2 driver, and while his performances have been good, but not great, a couple more years in the system will lead to his debut in Formula 1 in 2024 with Alpha Tauri. The Kiwi driver has tested with the team in the past couple of years, and with close friend and academy rival Juri Vips now being caught up in a racial scandal, Lawson might just get the jump over him.

Ferrari

Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc is constantly proving himself to one day be one of the greatest Ferrari drivers of all time, and while his contract keeps him at the team until 2024, an extension is inevitable. With Ferrari now back competing for pole positions and race wins, a maiden championship might be on the table by the 2024 season.

Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz is one of the most interesting drivers heading into 2024, as his performances in 2022 have not quite been up to scratch, he has still shown many glimpses of his potential going forward. Sainz will only get better and better in the coming years, and while his contract still runs into 2024, there is no reason as to why a breakup would be necessary with such a strong driver's lineup at Ferrari.

Mercedes

George Russell

George Russell was always destined to succeed with the silver arrows, and by the time 2024 comes around Russell will have cemented his place as the number 1 driver in the Mercedes team. If Mercedes can resolve their 2022 issues, there is nothing stopping the young Brit from becoming a world champion in the near future. Could 2024 be the year?

Nyck De Vries

Nyck De Vries is the 2019 Formula 2 champion but was not able to secure a seat through the Mercedes academy in 2020. De Vries has been competing in Formula E since while also acting as the reserve driver for the factory Mercedes team, while he was not able to get the jump on George Russell for the 2022 seat. With Lewis Hamilton likely to retire by the 2024 season, he will be able to play second fiddle to Russell and display everything he has learnt in the sim for the last 4 years.

Aston Martin

Felipe Drugovich

Felipe Drugovich driving for Aston Martin might come as a surprise for many, but when you analyze his Formula 2 performances in 2022 thus far, it isn’t a stretch to consider him as a frontrunner for a Formula 1 seat in the near future.

Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo has had a tough time in 2021 and 2022, and despite whether or not he loses his seat with Mclaren in 2023, 2024 will provide new opportunities for the Australian. It is unlikely that we will see Ricciardo upgrade to a better car after his contract is over, but with many changes speculated for the Aston Martin team in the upcoming years, it is definitely a realistic option going forward.

Alpine

Oscar Piastri

Oscar Piastri’s name is one known by many Formula 1 fans today, coming off a trifecta of junior championships the young Australian driver is destined for a seat onwards from 2023. Whether or not Piastri will drive for the Alpine team in 2023 is unknown, but by 2024 when Fernando Alonso is likely to retire (again) it is certain that the French team will do whatever it takes to get their academy driver back on board.

Estaban Ocon

Estaban Ocon has been in the Alpine seat since 2020, and as the rising star is contracted until the end of 2024, Alpine clearly have a lot of faith in the young Frenchman. With a race win under his name in 2021, if Alpine is able to develop a better car going forward, what is stopping Ocon from becoming one of the greats in Formula 1?

Haas

Kevin Magnussen

Kevin Magnussen rejoined the team in 2022 after Russian driver Nikita Mazepin was dropped for political reasons, but he has quickly shown he is back where he belongs. With a handful of good results for Haas thus far in 2022, if he can clean up those occasional mistakes there is no reason why Haas won't extend his contract for at least one extra year after 2023.

Mick Schumacher

Mick Schumacher has been one of the many drivers under scrutiny in 2022, and while he holds one of the most famous names in the history of Formula 1, it does not mean his seat is all but secured. Schumacher has shown glimpses of being a star of the future, and that is something Haas will struggle to let go of once contract talks are being held.

Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas

Valtteri Bottas has quickly become one of the fan favourites since joining Alfa Romeo in 2022, and while he is contracted with the team until the end of 2024, it would surprise many if there was some sort of breakup in the near future.

Theo Pourchaire

Theo Pourchaire is one of the many shining lights in the current Formula 2 landscape, being one of the most consistent drivers on the grid while showing his true pace in qualifying is also up there with some of the best. After another year or two in the second division, Pourchaire will make the step up to Formula 1 with Alfa Romeo, who has been very open about their interest in the Frenchman in the past.

Williams

Guanyu Zhou

Guanyu Zhou has been one of the biggest surprises so far in 2022, being the first-ever Chinese driver in Formula 1 holds a lot of pressure, especially since the seat was almost gifted to him through Chinese sponsorship that came as part of the Zhou package. But his success on the rack will not be enough to hold his seat with the Alfa Romeo team, and while Williams is likely to be working their way up the grid by 2024, the extra funds and a more experienced Zhou might just be a win-win going forward.

Alexander Albon

Alexander Albon was always set to rejoin the Red Bull Racing team after Sergio Perez left, but after the announcement of a new contract, it is not looking like a realistic option for 2024. Albon has flourished with Williams in 2022, and with not many other options on the table it is likely he will remain with the team going forward.

Mclaren

Lando Norris

Lando Norris recently extended his contract with McLaren until 2025, and as one of the best young drivers on the grid it is extremely unlikely anything will stop him from tearing up his contract early.

Colton Herta

Colton Herta is one of the bright young stars in the world of motorsport, and while he has not participated in the traditional route to Formula 1 like many others on the grid, the fact that he is a young American driver will give him a boost he needs to join the Mclaren team by 2024. The Unites States is a huge market in Formula 1, and Mclaren CEO Zak Brown has made it very clear that Herta is on the table for a seat once Daniel Ricciardo’s contract is up.

Andretti

Logan Sargeant

Logan Sargeant is another young American driver competing in Formula 2 in 2022, he is currently leading the rookie class and is one of the surprises of the season so far. With Andretti looking likely to enter the sport by 2024, it is also no secret that they want an American driver from the get-go. And at this point in time, who better than Logan Sargeant?

Pierre Gasly

Pierre Gasly only recently signed a one-year contract extension at Alfa Touri, but as that contract ends at the end of the 2023 season, he will be looking elsewhere for a team that can potentially put him back in podium contention, or even fighting for race wins. Andretti is confident they will have a fast car from day one when they enter the sport, and with other seats being limited this might just be Gasly’s best option going forward.