Sebastian Vettel

During the summer of 2022, it came as a shock to all fans as 4 time world-champion for Red Bull and former Ferrari and Aston Martin driver announced over Instagram that he would be retiring after the end of the season. Some of his notable driving performances were at the Race Of Champions 2023 in Sweden, representing Team Germany with Mick Schumacher and soon to be driving at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

All of these appearances have people wondering whether he will return to the sport of Formula One, however one German article from (bild.de) quotes Vettel, saying that it's one of the first times he's had "something like a daily routine" and "above all, (I) enjoy spending time with my children". Although upon further reading, he states "what (I) miss most is the competition and the tension".

It is highly likely that Audi will start to look for German drivers for their German team, creating a sort of similar scenario that Alpine currently see themselves in with French drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. In my opinion, if Sebastian Vettel decides to come back to racing, Audi will utilise the opportunity to take the former retiree.

Carlos Sainz Jr.

There has been some speculation as to the future of the current Ferrari driver. After the 2022 season, people are wondering whether he will be able to keep his seat at the italian team if he's failing to perform, however doesn't seem to be the case at the start of this years season by standing in 7th place at the drivers championship. It's also an important thing to remember that his contract with Ferrari will last until 2024, the same as his teammate Charles Leclerc.

On the other hand, his father Carlos Sainz Sr. drove for Audi in the Dakar Rally at the beginning of 2023; could this create a discussion to the future of his career in Formula One? Or is it too early at this point to be deciding on his seat? Let's not forget that this is one of the ways that he was able to join Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2015 after Sr. had been associated with them throughout the 2010s. Although the driver himself has addressed these rumours himself, stating his surprise "hearing  things about 2026 when (I) dont even have a contract for 2025" and apparently hitting this rumour with a 'scathing response' (Crash.net).

Personally, I believe that this could be a stretch for the driver as by this time, he would've been driving in Formula One for 11 years but maybe an experienced and, from what's been seen so far, a consistent driver is just what the team needs?

Mick Schumacher

The young driver who drove for Haas in the 2021 and 2022 season was thought to have shown great prospects in Formula One after joining Formula Two in 2019 and winning their championship in 2020. Although this doesn't seem to have been the case and struggled a lot with the handling of the car, it was also speculated that he was the most costly driver on the grid for last season estimating a total damage cost of $4 million. For a small and growing team like Haas, it wasn't sustainable for them to keep him and decided not to take him for the 2023 season. This was until Mercedes took him as their reserve driver and he often makes appearances on TV broadcasting with Toto Wolff himself.

The boss has a great deal of trust in Mick, stating that "he can be a good racing driver in a permanent seat in the future" and "whether it is in our team or letting him go somewhere else" (Skysports.com). Could this be a way of him indicating that he believes he will join when a seat arises? It is most unlikely that this will happen in the team themselves as it doesn't seem that Lewis Hamilton or George Russell, Mercedes current drivers, will be leaving anytime soon. This wouldn't be unheard of as Nyck de Vries, who was the 2022 Mercedes reserve driver, was let go to join Alpha Tauri and expand his career although this ended in demise.

Personally, I would love to see Mick come back into a team like Audi who are possibly looking for a young driver but one with a bit of experience. But also, could you imagine a lineup like Seb and Mick? It would make my entire year and could become one of my favourite teams!

Juan Manuel Correa

Anyone that has been following Formula Two in its most recent years will recognise this name. Juan started his first full Formula Two in 2019 for the Sauber Junior team but this would be tragically cut short after his accident with Anthoine Hubert, ultimately killing the French driver who would've shown great prospects. With the impact hitting at 218 km/h and a peak g-force of 65G, it was revealed that Juan had fractured both his legs and suffered with a minor spinal injury. He was rushed to intensive care, put in a coma for 11 days all while suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome and nearly having to lose his foot in the process. It would take him just over a year to walk again and make his racing comeback in the Formula Three category in 2021 and 2022 for ART Grand Prix.

As for now, the American-Ecuadorean driver is now taking part in the Formula Two championship, admitting that he's "ready for the challenge no matter what happens." (FIAFormula2.com). The driver definitely has a fighting spirit despite the trouble and trauma that he's been through which could be just what Audi need. It would be unfair to only put current Formula One drivers on this list; although he only currently stands at 17th on the championship board, 3 seasons could certainly be enough time for the driver to turn things around to allow himself into the upper league or even be seated in a reserve role like Felipe Drugovich for Aston Martin and Jack Doohan for Alpine.

It would be a great way for him to make a comeback and share his experiences, while offering a young and possibly promising face for Audi. He would also be the first Ecuadorean driver to race in Formula One!

Any F1 Academy Drivers?

No one can deny that F1 Academy is already seeing to have a huge impact in the overall Formula One world. Especially as a female enjoyer of motor racing, I thought it was about time that an all-female academy came into set while also being ready for the drivers to merge into the larger bases of Formula Two or Formula One when the time comes. The FIA even worded that their intentions are "to ensure aspiring female drivers have the best opportunities to reach their potential, with an important first step of getting into Formula Three and progressing through the ranks" (Thesportingnews.com) Is it possibly that this could be done in the next two seasons? Would a new team like Audi feel encouraged to get some female drivers like Abbi Pulling, Bianca Bustamante or Marta García into their circle? Let's not forget that two of these women drive for PREMA Racing who already have their place in Formula Two with the likes of Ollie Bearman.

While sharing a great link with Susie Wolff who runs as Managing Director of the academy, it should make it even more likely that a female racer could enter Formula One quicker than we'd think. Although the competition is larger in Formula One, having a team like Audi could makes room for these female talents as a 'new age of Formula One'.