sport news How F1 could look in 2023 after shock Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri moves trends now

sport news How F1 could look in 2023 after shock Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri moves trends now
sport news How F1 could look in 2023 after shock Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri moves trends now

sport news How F1 could look in 2023 after shock Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri moves trends now

Formula One isn't unique to having a drivers' market puzzle to solve - in fact the term 'silly season' is an annual staple of the sport as drivers and teams weigh up their future options.

But by any measure, trying to predict who will be driving where next term has been thrown into utter chaos following significant moves made before and after Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel started the scramble after the four-time world champion confirmed he would retire from the sport at the end of the season, before Fernando Alonso dropped a bombshell on Monday by announcing he was leaving the Alpine team to replace his old title rival at Aston Martin.

Fernando Alonso (centre) and Oscar Piastri (right) have snubbed drives at Alpine next season

Fernando Alonso (centre) and Oscar Piastri (right) have snubbed drives at Alpine next season

Alonso will replace Sebastian Vettel (right) who will leave Aston Martin to retire from F1

Alonso will replace Sebastian Vettel (right) who will leave Aston Martin to retire from F1

Alpine's response was to announce reserve driver and highly rated youngster Oscar Piastri on Tuesday to fill the gap vacated by the Spaniard, only for the 21-year-old to dramatically insist he had not agreed to race for the team next term.

The Australian's comments suggest he has likely bagged a seat elsewhere on the grid, but either way it will likely have a domino effect on the rest of the grid for 2023.

With the drivers' market now in total chaos, Sportsmail looks at the likely moves that could shape the grid from next season.

Mercedes

Confirmed drivers: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell 

If there is one team who haven't dabbled in 'silly season' much over the last decade it is Mercedes.

Obviously the Silver Arrows have had no need to replace a seven-time world champion in Hamilton who likewise has enjoyed spending his best years with the outstanding team over the last decade.

When a seat did become open last term, a fairly logical choice in replacing Valtteri Bottas with main reserve driver Russell was made and given the Brit's outstanding start to his Mercedes career, there is no need for the team or their British pairing to look elsewhere  - and both are tied down for 2023.

Mercedes are happy with a British pairing of Lewis Hamilton (left) and George Russell (right)

Mercedes are happy with a British pairing of Lewis Hamilton (left) and George Russell (right)

Red Bull

Confirmed drivers: Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez

Another team who have zero interest in the drivers' market right now. Red Bull could arguably not have a better driving pairing on balance of team and driver interests.

They have world champion and this year's standings leader Max Verstappen and in Sergio Perez they have a No 2 driver who, while not as quick as the Dutchman, has been a skilled rear gunner of picking up big points when weekends don't quite fall in his team-mate's favour.

Verstappen signed a new long term deal at the start of the season while Perez is also locked in for another two years following a new agreement back in May. 

Max Verstappen (right) and Sergio Perez (left) have formed an excellent partnership at Red Bull

Max Verstappen (right) and Sergio Perez (left) have formed an excellent partnership at Red Bull

Ferrari 

Confirmed drivers: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz

Ferrari's PR machine has had to be at its very best in these last few weeks as a series of catastrophic mistakes at grands prix weekends have seen the team's title hopes quickly evaporate.

But at least away from the grid they have some of their ducks in-a-row. 

Exciting future world championship prospect Charles Leclerc is tied down until 2026, while Sainz also agreed a two-year deal at the start of the season.

Whether they can now help both try and realise dreams of winning the world championship remains to be seen but the drivers' market is one F1 problem Ferrari don't have. 

Ferrari have locked in the highly talented duo of Carlos Sainz (left) and Charles Leclerc (right)

Ferrari have locked in the highly talented duo of Carlos Sainz (left) and Charles Leclerc (right)

McLaren 

Confirmed drivers: Lando Norris

Potential drivers: Daniel Ricciardo, Oscar Piastri 

Now it gets interesting. Lando Norris is McLaren's golden boy and the team will be desperate for the Brit to be the figurehead for the team as they look to return to the top, and he believes they can having signed a new deal earlier this year until 2025.

His team-mate Daniel Ricciardo also has a deal for next season but after two difficult seasons the Australian might still be moved on for 2023 whether by his choice or that of the team. Either way it leaves his seat potentially open.

A new favourite to potentially replace the popular Australian is his compatriot Piastri, following the F2 champion's shock snub to Alpine suggesting he has a better option elsewhere. 

Realistically it's hard to see that better option to the French-Anglo team being anywhere else but the Woking outfit.

Piastri is now thought to be nearing a McLaren move after snubbing Alpine for 2023

Piastri is now thought to be nearing a McLaren move after snubbing Alpine for 2023

Alpine

Confirmed drivers: Esteban Ocon

Potential drivers: Pierre Gasly, Piastri, Ricciardo

Right, here we are in the eye of the storm.

read more from dailymail.....

NEXT Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano in action: Fight card, odds, date, opponents, start time, complete guide