4 young drivers aiming for Formula 1 in 2024 including Ronaldo-backed youngster and ‘extremely calm’ 20-year-old

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While 2023 wasn’t the year for young drivers to get their chance in Formula 1, 2024 could be the year that the grid gets the shake-up it desperately needs.

Every driver on the grid retained their seats ahead of next season, even if rookie Nyck de Vries failed to last the season at AlphaTauri and was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo.

Williams confirmed Logan Sargeant after the final Grand Prix and there will be several drivers under pressure heading into next year.

There needs to be a reset in the driver market with too many drivers currently cruising with little threat of losing their seats.

With plenty of driver contracts expiring at the end of 2024, we look at three young drivers who may have a very strong chance of getting on the grid.

Felipe Drugovich – 23 – Aston Martin reserve driver

The most obvious driver right now who will know that 2024 is likely their last chance to drive in Formula 1 is Felipe Drugovich.

The 23-year-old Brazilian has the backing of football legend Ronaldo and has been Aston Martin’s reserve driver for the past two years.

He won Formula 2 in 2022 and has looked quick whenever he’s been given a chance in an F1 car.

Fernando Alonso is unlikely to be going anywhere although he has explained what might force him to eventually retire.

The relationship between Lawrence Stroll and Aston Martin means that Lance Stroll is unlikely to be let go any time soon.

However, Drugovich would be a strong option for any team looking for a new driver and if they don’t fancy bringing him in to replace Stroll, other teams might begin to circle.

Theo Pourchaire – 20 – Sauber reserve driver

Theo Pourchaire, like Drugovich, is one of several young drivers who will know that F1 is the logical next step forward in 2024.

A fellow Formula 2 champion, Pourchaire is now waiting in the wings to see what happens to Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas at Sauber.

He has a big fan in the form of team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi who said this season at a difficult test in Mexico City: “We wanted to give him as much track mileage as possible, and also to have a proper programme like the other car. So we didn’t plan a rookie session, we planned an FP1 session.

“For me what was extremely positive was his reaction. Because he remained extremely calm, also on the radio. He gave clear and precise information to the team.

“I think that he showed that he’s mature so it’s just a shame.”

The issue for Pourchaire is that if Sauber really rated him, they would have probably put him in the car this season ahead of Zhou Guanyu.

The Chinese driver has hardly set the grid alight during his two seasons with the Swiss outfit.

With the takeover of Audi imminent, the German manufacturer may already have their own ideas on who they want to hire.

Pourchaire needs to star in Super Formula to have any chance of getting on the grid.

Oliver Bearman – 18 – Ferrari Driver Academy

Arguably the most likely of this selection of young drivers to get onto the grid after the 2024 season is the least experienced.

Oliver Bearman is very highly rated at Ferrari and will race in Formula 2 next season.

A strong campaign at that level could see him given an opportunity at Haas given their relationship with Ferrari.

Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg struggled in a poor car this year and Ferrari might see this as the perfect chance to give Bearman a seat on the grid.

Liam Lawson – 21 – Red Bull & AlphaTauri reserve driver

Liam Lawson is unlike the other young drivers on this list given many would feel he should be on the grid already in 2024.

His five-race cameo with AlphaTauri was incredibly impressive this season when he replaced Daniel Ricciardo after the injury he picked up at Zandvoort.

Unfortunately, the nature of the driver market this year meant that even a driver who proved he was capable of racing at a high level in Formula 1 couldn’t find an opportunity to break onto the grid.

Williams choosing to retain Sargeant and Sauber to commit to Zhou looks like a bold choice with Lawson available.

He’ll be biding his time knowing how cut-throat the Red Bull group can be with their drivers.

If Sergio Perez is let go, Lawson could benefit from a current AlphaTauri driver taking his seat.