Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Haas F1 Team in the FIA Press Conference. 21.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Preparation Day.
Nico Hulkenberg expects a game of “musical chairs” to occur in the Formula 1 driver market ahead of the 2026 regulation overhaul.
Unlike last year – when Sebastian Vettel’s retirement triggered a plethora of movement – the driver roster for the following season will not see widescale changes.
Except for Nyck de Vries being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri earlier this year, the majority of drivers who began the current campaign have already been confirmed at their teams for next year.
The only remaining vacancy is down at Williams, who have confirmed their intention to retain under-pressure Logan Sargeant.
However, Hulkenberg anticipates there being a multitude of switches between now and the regulations being changed next in 2026.
“I think there’s still so much gap between now and then,” the German said regarding the future evolution of the F1 driver market.
“I mean, sounds like quite a big change [the regulations]. And for sure, I think beginning of next year, you start to wonder about that.
“The Musical Chairs I think will move in and work quite a bit next year and I think naturally things will fall in place for people so yeah, depends what happens, how you perform and how strong your value is.”
(L to R): Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Haas F1 Team; Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW45; Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) AlphaTauri; Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren; and Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren, in the FIA Press Conference. 21.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Preparation Day.
Meanwhile, Alex Albon echoed Hulkenberg’s view, citing that many drivers will be vouching to ensure they end up in the most competitive position for F1’s newest era.
The Anglo-Thai driver is one driver who could potentially be on the move before then, having conceded he wants to return to a side capable of fighting for victories amid an impressive year for the Williams team.
“Yeah, I think just as Nico said,” Albon added. “Of course we are paying attention to it, I think it’s more that it’s the teams that are paying attention to it more than drivers.
“We’ve just got to focus on our jobs. I think it’s as Nico said we will have our own stock and then it’s our performances that raise or lower it. And then, that’s it really.
“I think more than ever this… I don’t know, I haven’t been in the sport long enough but it does seem like there’s been a big push around 2026 in general from the whole paddock about keeping… there is a big move around then and that’s when we’re going to get the big Musical Chairs like Nico said.”
Elsewhere, Yuki Tsunoda’s place at AlphaTauri was confirmed for 2024 last weekend, but his ties to Honda could see him end up on the move down the line.
Honda and Red Bull were unable to strike an agreement to continue their successful partnership, prompting the Japanese marque to agree a deal to supply Aston Martin with engines under the revised 2026 rules.
“I’m quite scared now, talking about drivers line-ups! We’ll see,” Tsunoda remarked.
“Obviously for me now it’s Red Bull family, so it would be nice if I’m part of Red Bull. And yeah also about Honda as well, so see how it looks like. But yeah, I think same copy/paste as them.”
Keyword: Hulkenberg expecting ‘musical chairs’ in F1 driver market from 2024