F1 Silly Season Update: Alfa Romeo Extends Zhou Guanyu; Focus Now on AlphaTauri, Logan Sargeant

• The only seats remaining unconfirmed on the 2024 grid are now the two at AlphaTauri and the one currently occupied at Williams by American rookie Logan Sargeant.

• There is also seemingly no room at the inn for Formula 2 championship leader Théo Pourchaire, 20, who will remain as Alfa Romeo’s reserve driver for 2024.

• Other matters remain up in the air, including news on the 2025 tire supplier.

Formula 1’s 2023 season will begin drifting toward its conclusion this weekend with the first of the traditional end-of-year flyaway events at Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit.

The expansion of the calendar means that there are still eight events to go—including a return to Qatar and Las Vegas’ debut—but the sport is now on the downhill slope towards the finale. Both titles will be decided long before Formula 1 arrives in Abu Dhabi, with Max Verstappen standing a chance of setting up his first match point in Japan next Sunday,.

Meanwhile, Red Bull has a very, very slim chance of sealing the Constructors’ crown at this weekend's race.

Red Bull has not been beaten in Formula 1 this season, and Verstappen is on a record-breaking run of 10 successive victories.

Plenty Still Undecided in F1

Other matters remain up in the air, with the paddock awaiting news on the 2025 tire supplier, as well as the process regarding prospective new teams, most prominently Andretti. The cost cap saga, which last year dominated these two events in Asia, has been quietly put to bed for 2023 with last week’s confirmation that all teams are in compliance.

The driver market is also a relatively tepid affair going into the 2023-24 offseason. Several front-running drivers are on long-term deals, meaning they have all been locked down for a long time, while the midfield squads have also predominantly adopted the status quo. There is a probability that there will be no debutants on next year’s grid for the first time in recent memory.

Driver Puzzle Coming Into Focus

One more expected piece of the puzzle fell into place on Thursday as Alfa Romeo confirmed Zhou Guanyu for a third season, alongside the already-contracted Valtteri Bottas.

It means Zhou has the opportunity to become the first Chinese driver to race at the Chinese Grand Prix when the event returns to the schedule next April.

Zhou has fared moderately well against experienced teammate Bottas this season but Alfa Romeo’s uncompetitive C43 has restricted him to just a pair of ninth-place finishes.

“Signing again with the team is always a great feeling, especially when we know how things are shaping up,” said Zhou. “I am also very excited about the opportunity to finally race with my team in China, in front of my home crowd. It will be a great moment and I’m proud to be able to share it with all those who have supported me.”