16/12/2020
NEWS STORY
Today's confirmation that Yuki Tsunoda will partner Pierre Gasly at AlphaTauri leaves just one vacancy on the 2021 grid... that at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen.
The Austrian team has said it hopes to announce its decision before Christmas, as it chooses between current incumbent, Alex Albon and Sergio Perez.
Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have given uncharacteristic support to Albon, despite some of the youngster's numerous weak performances and increasing pressure from the media.
When he's good, Albon is very good, but when drivers like Lewis Hamilton and even Verstappen himself suggest that he's falling short, team bosses have to listen.
On the other hand, his Thai connections put him in good standing with those much higher up the Red Bull food chain.
Sergio Perez meanwhile is a proven, a regular point scorer and now, finally a race winner.
On the other hand, looking back on his battles with Esteban Ocon when they were teammates, partnering him with Verstappen could prove explosive and costly.
Of course, there is still the little matter of Hamilton's new contract with Mercedes, but unless the Briton decides to 'do a Rosberg' or fails to agree a deal with the German team that merely appears to be a case of dotting the is, crossing the ts and finding the money.
| Driver | Nat | Team | Comment |
| Hamilton | GBR | Mercedes | Highly Likely |
| Bottas | FIN | Mercedes | Confirmed |
| Verstappen | NED | Red Bull Racing-Honda | Confirmed |
| Albon | THA | Red Bull Racing-Honda | Likely |
| Perez | MEX | Red Bull Racing-Honda | Possible |
| Ricciardo | AUS | McLaren-Mercedes | Confirmed |
| Norris | GBR | McLaren-Mercedes | Confirmed |
| Vettel | GER | Aston Martin-Mercedes | Confirmed |
| Stroll | CAN | Aston Martin-Mercedes | Confirmed |
| Alonso | ESP | Alpine-Renault | Confirmed |
| Ocon | FRA | Alpine-Renault | Confirmed |
| Leclerc | MON | Ferrari | Confirmed |
| Sainz | ESP | Ferrari | Confirmed |
| Gasly | FRA | Scuderia AlphaTauri-Honda | Confirmed |
| Tsunoda | JAP | Scuderia AlphaTauri-Honda | Confirmed |
| Mazepin | RUS | Haas-Ferrari | Confirmed |
| Schumacher | GER | Haas-Ferrari | Confirmed |
| Raikkonen | FIN | Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari | Confirmed |
| Giovinazzi | ITA | Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari | Confirmed |
| Russell | GBR | Williams-Mercedes | Confirmed |
| Latifi | CAN | Williams-Mercedes | Confirmed |