F1’s superlicence club – who deserves a drive in 2023?
F1
F1's annual game of musical chairs is approaching its end, with several more hopeful drivers than there are seats. We look at who is in line for the vacant spaces on next year's grid
The Formula 1 grid hasn’t been set for next year – and several teams are in need.
Alpine, Haas and Williams each still have a berth available in 2023 (as does Alfa Romeo, although Zhou Guanyu is expected to remain alongside Valtteri Bottas).
Due to F1’s superlicence points system – designed to stop inexperienced drivers buying their way into F1 – there are only a limited number of suitors qualified for the respective jobs.
Though the list isn’t endless, it’s not exactly small either. Below, we run through the eligible candidates who hold, or are soon expected to receive superlicences, and examine their credentials.
We have excluded retired or soon to retire names such as Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel, as well as drivers thought to be out of the frame, such as Romain Grosjean, who is now pursuing a career in IndyCar or new Aston Matin reserve, Felipe Drugovich.
Superlicence
F1 race experience
F1 jnr / reserve
FP1 / test experience
F2 title
F3 title
Financial backing
Nyck de Vries
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
❌
£
Jack Doohan
❌
❌
✅
❌
❌
❌
–
Nico Hülkenberg
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
–
Pierre Gasly
✅
✅
n/a
✅
✅
❌
–
Antonio Giovinazzi
✅
✅
✅
✅
❌
❌
££
Daniel Ricciardo
✅
✅
n/a
✅
❌
✅
–
Logan Sargeant
❌
❌
✅
✅
❌
❌
–
Mick Schumacher
✅
✅
n/a
✅
✅
✅
££
Nyck de Vries
De Vries is now in the frame for several F1 seats
Mercedes-AMG
Superlicence: Yes
F2 champion: Yes – 2019
F1 experience: As Mercedes reserve driver, De Vries has taken part in several FP1 sessions in 2022, not only for the works team but also its engine customers too, Aston Martin and Williams.
F1 free practice experience: 2022 Spanish GP (Williams), 2022 French GP (Mercedes), 2022 Italian GP (Aston Martin).
Other single-seater experience: 2021 Formula E champion
Backing: Potential Mercedes funds if the Dutchman chooses Williams, minimal public sponsors if De Vries plumps for either AlphaTauri or Alpine.
Nyck de Vries took the 2019 Formula 2 title at the third time of asking, while still a McLaren junior.
From then on it must have felt like he’s been on the outside looking in. With no berths available in F1, he left the McLaren stable and became Mercedes reserve, also joining the its fledgling FE team in 2020, winning the 2021 title.
Formula 1's 2023 driver line-ups are now confirmed. Here's a full run-down of the contracts in place, including Nico Hülkenberg's move to Haas and Williams' F2 signing, Logan Sargeant
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Now that the new 2022 F1 rules requiring teams to run rookie drivers in free practice sessions, De Vries has suddenly become a man in demand, and was in prime position to be super-sub for Williams when Alex Albon fell ill at the Italian GP.
The Dutchman finished a superb ninth at Monza, putting him in mind of the F1 teams looking for a driver next year, with Williams and Alpine looking likely suitors, and AlphaTauri potentially willing to release Pierre Gasly and sign De Vries in his place.
De Vries has also competed in WEC, taking two LMP2 race wins.
Jack Doohan
Alpine junior Jack Doohan is in the running for vacant 2023 Enstone F1 seat
Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Superlicence: No – currently on 30 points, sixth needed in this year’s F2 championship
F2 champion: No – current position: fourth.
F1 experience: After joining the Alpine Academy at the end of last year, Doohan tested the team’s 2021 car at both Qatar and Monza during this season.
F1 free practice experience: None
Other single-seater experience: Doohan finished runner-up in the 2021 FIA Formula 3 championship, taking four wins as he came in behind Dennis Hauger in the points.
Backing: Only funding comes from Alpine as part of its academy.
With Oscar Piastri leaving for McLaren, next in line at the Alpine Academy is its F2 ace Jack Doohan – son of 500cc motorcycle legend Mick.
Though the Australian has acquitted himself well this year, taking four wins in a debut second-tier season, Alpine weren’t expecting to bump him up to F1 just yet.
Now its hand has been forced though, and the Gold Coast native could find himself on the grand prix grid if Alpine decides he is ready, and he gets the superlicence points he needs.
Nico Hülkenberg
Hülkenberg is a solid, reliable candidate for the free F1 seats
Grand Prix Photo
Superlicence: Yes
F2 champion: 2009
F1 experience: Yes – nine seasons of full-time competition.
Backing: Minimal
Nico Hülkenberg could end up being one of motor sport’s all-time ‘what-ifs?’, but he might just have one more shot at grand prix glory in the twilight of his single-seater career.
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The German swept all before him in the junior categories, winning the Formula BMW, F3 Euro Series, A1 GP and GP2 titles as a youngster.
His first year at Williams didn’t quite bring the desired results immediately, but a pole at the Brazilian GP underlined his speed.
Since then ‘The Hulk’ has become a reliable midfield pilot in F1, holding the unenviable record of scoring the most points without ever have finished on the podium.
Should he get a chance at Alpine, Haas or Williams, that might just change.
Pierre Gasly
Gasly is now Alpine’s main target
Grand Prix Photo
Superlicence: Yes
F2 champion: 2016
F1 experience: Five and a half years of full-time experience, one race win.
Backing: Minimal
Pierre Gasly is perhaps the prime mover and shaker in this list. Made Alpine’s No1 target after the Piastri snub, Enstone would love to lever him out of his contract at AlphaTauri.
Gasly is keen to move on also with his career seemingly stalled under the Red Bull umbrella, but it all depends on Faenza finding a replacement it deems suitable.
The Frenchman had a promising debut year in 2018 at Toro Rosso, then was suddenly thrust into the limelight in 2019 at top team Red Bull after Daniel Ricciardo’s shock departure.
Things didn’t go to plan with the Frenchman struggling up against Max Verstappen, and Gasly was demoted back to AlphaTauri. Since then though he took a brilliant win at that 2020 Italian GP and a number of podiums, more than proving his capabilities.
He now wants to move on though, and it might just happen in 2023. It appears Red Bull may be amenable to placing Nyck de Vries at its junior team, making Gasly’s move to Alpine possible.
Antonio Giovinazzi
Return of Giovinazzi?
Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty images
Superlicence: Yes
F2 champion: No (runner-up 2016)
F1 experience: Three full seasons with Alfa Romeo
Other single-seater experience: Second in European F3 championship.
Backing: May bring some sponsorship and likely Ferrari backing if at Haas
Antonio Giovinazzi’s results as a midfielder might be slightly unremarkable – admittedly in below par machinery – but his status a superlicence holder still makes him a valued candidate amongst teams seeking a driver.
A product of the Ferrari Junior Academy, the Italian made his full season debut at Alfa Romeo in 2019 alongside veteran Kimi Räikkönen, following two years as Hinwil reserve driver.
Fifth in Brazil was the best of four points finishes ranked him 17th in his first season, but that would prove to be his best campaign in F1.
Three top-10s in 2020 meant he equalled his championship finishing position of the previous year, whilst just a couple of points classifications in 2021 would see him come home in 18th.
Ferrari, keen to have an Italian presence on the grid, kept him on as reserve driver. With F1 testing scarce in the modern era, the Italian’s experience is valued, as shown by several teams’ interest in him – both Haas and Alpine are considering Giovinazzi.
Daniel Ricciardo
Will Ricciardo find a new home in 2023?
McLaren
Superlicence: Yes
F2 champion: No.
F1 experience: Seven GP wins, 1 full seasons.
Other single-seater experience: 2009 British F3 champion, 2010 Formula Renault 3.5 runner-up.
Backing: Minimal.
Daniel Ricciardo must be wondering how it’s come to this. The cheerful Aussie was a force to be reckoned with when he decided to leave Red Bull in 2018, to the astonishment of many in the F1 world.
The Perth-native envisaged a Lewis Hamilton/Mercedes-esque manufacturer effort at Renault when he moved there for ‘19, but after two seasons he came to the conclusion that wasn’t going to happen.
Ricciardo moved on from two solid years in the midfield to pastures new at McLaren, but from there things have been a disaster.
The Australian simply hasn’t been able to adapt to Woking’s highly idiosyncratic car, being well off team-mate Lando Norris’s pace this year and last.
With McLaren plumping for Oscar Piastri to partner Norris next season, Ricciardo is out in the cold.
He has admitted many teams have contacted him in regards to driving in 2023, but will they put faith in the Australian rediscovering his form, and be able to stomach the wage of one of F1’s highest earners?
Logan Sargeant
Will Sargeant step up for Williams in 2023?
Williams
Superlicence: No – dependent on finishing fifth in this year’s F2 championship
F2 champion: Currently third in this year’s F2 championship
F1 experience: Took part in last year’s young driver test at Abu Dhabi for Williams.
Other single-seater experience: 2020 F3 runner-up
Backing: Williams junior
Williams junior Sargeant has been viewed by many as the next American to make the F1 grid – and it could now happen as soon as 2023.
The Grove team has been shopping around for a replacement for Nicholas Latifi, and it looked for a long time as though Nyck de Vries was that man.
However, Red Bull’s interest in the Dutchman means it’s likely that young Sargeant could step up instead – if he makes it into the top five of this year’s F2 championship.
Though currently third, it’s a tight-run thing, and the American will need strong results at this year’s season finale in Abu Dhabi to make sure of his superlicence.
Only then will Williams be able to commit to signing Sargeant – it’s going to be nail-biting stuff for the Fort Lauderdale native.
Mick Schumacher
Schumacher appears to be on an upward curve in F1 – but will it be enough?
Haas
Superlicence: Yes
F2 champion: Yes (2020)
F1 experience: Two season at Haas
Other single-seater experience: F3 champion in 2018, F2 champion in 2020
Backing: Sponsorship from a number of brands, but unclear if would carry over to new team
Mick Schumacher has shown prodigious pace in his one-and-a-half seasons in F1 – but only on a few occasions.
Thus Haas is looking elsewhere for its second seat alongside Kevin Magnussen, although there is still a chance the American team could still retain him.
The German has scored points twice this season, and got into the top ten of qualifying a few times, but ultimately there have only been glimpses of the speed which clinched him the F2 and F3 titles.
Though it seems unthinkable for a clearly talented driver, who is popular both in his own right and as son of F1 legend Michael, Ferrari is set to drop him from its young driver academy and he could find himself without a drive next year.
Some linked Schumacher with AlphaTauri, as a result of Porsche’s now-shelved prospective link-up with Red Bull, but this looks off with De Vries or Gasly set to drive for the team next year.
Though Alpine incumbent Esteban Ocon says he would favour friend Schumacher at the team, Williams appears to be the only likely destination for the youngster to keep his F1 career alive.
