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F1 Silly Season: Three Drivers on the Brink of Exit
20 Apr
Summary
- Colton Herta's potential F1 entry could displace Valtteri Bottas at Cadillac.
- Franco Colapinto's struggles at Alpine may lead to his 2027 departure.
- Max Verstappen might leave F1 due to dissatisfaction with 2026 car regulations.
As the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches its Miami race, the sport is experiencing a significant "silly season" of driver market speculation. Changes in car regulations and driving styles are reshaping the competitive landscape. With only three races completed, a pattern has emerged indicating potential departures from the 2027 grid.
Valtteri Bottas's future with Cadillac F1 is uncertain, with American prospect Colton Herta being groomed for a potential seat. Herta, a highly-rated IndyCar driver, is preparing in Formula 2. If Herta shows promise, Sergio Perez might be favored over Bottas for marketing and performance reasons.
Franco Colapinto has had a disappointing start to his 2026 season with Alpine F1. His performance has not met expectations, leading to speculation that Alpine boss Flavio Briatore might replace him if improvements are not seen soon.
Max Verstappen has expressed reservations about the 2026 F1 cars. His vocal uncertainty about future plans, coupled with a lack of significant changes to the current regulations, could prompt his departure from the sport, posing a major blow to Formula 1.
