Where would Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen & Co go if Formula 1 DISAPPEARED?

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton both had struggles on day one of the 2023 F1 season — Photo: © LAT Images

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Where would Hamilton, Verstappen & Co go if F1 DISAPPEARED?

Many ex-F1 drivers have found success and fame elsewhere...

Joe Ellis

Saturday 22 April 2023 13:44 Updated: 14:01

Formula 1 has always been viewed as the pinnacle of motorsport but what if it were to cease to exist right now? Where would the grid get their racing fix?

Thankfully, there are endless options all around the world for this hypothetical scenario and they would all find some form of motorsport to get their teeth stuck into.

But who would go where? Let's dive in, shall we?

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Max Verstappen is already among the sim racing elite

Max Verstappen - Sim Racing

Verstappen won't race anywhere if he doesn't see a good chance to win, so he may stay in his lane and go into professional sim racing.

He already has big wins in endurance events with Team Redline, and going full-time on the sim could see him thrive even more.

Sergio Perez - IMSA

Many of the current F1 grid may look to endurance racing if they ever leave the sport and Perez is certainly one who could make that transition.

But he may want to return closer to home and live in Mexico, which would make the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship in North America an obvious choice.

Could Lewis Hamilton finally race alongside his brother?

Lewis Hamilton - British Touring Cars

We've gone bold! Lewis Hamilton may have his own team in Extreme E but he seems more than happy to continue as the boss rather than get behind the wheel.

He could look closer to home, with brother Nic Hamilton racing in the British Touring Car Championship for a family reunion on home soil.

George Russell - Formula E

Russell is one of those drivers you can only really imagine in a single-seater racing car, and that gives him two clear options: Formula E or IndyCar.

The Brit enjoys living close to home, which would make a campaign across the pond very difficult and leave the electric series as his natural home.

Charles Leclerc is synonymous with Ferrari and surely wouldn't leave the stable

Charles Leclerc - World Endurance Championship

Should F1 disappear, Ferrari would do anything to keep Leclerc in their stable and that might mean moving him to the World Endurance Championship.

The Scuderia's new Hypercar programme presents a perfect landing spot for the Monagasque.

Carlos Sainz - World Rally Championship

It might be unimaginative, but wouldn't it be incredible to see Sainz Jr try to follow in his father's footsteps?

Sainz Sr is a two-time World Rally champion and could have worlds of knowledge to pass on to his son if he made the move.

Fernando Alonso is still missing the Indianapolis 500 for the Triple Crown

Fernando Alonso - IndyCar

This is perhaps one of the more straightforward paths to plot out because Alonso has made no secret of his desire to win the Triple Crown.

All he needs is the Indianapolis 500 and a full-time ride in IndyCar gives him a great chance to do that.

Lance Stroll - World Endurance Championship

Aston Martin may look to enter the Hypercar class soon with their Valkyrie, and Lawrence Stroll won't want his son racing for anyone else.

Taking a lead role in their endurance efforts makes logical sense and keeps the Canadian fighting elite drivers.

Oscar Piastri could return to Australia and become the face of Supercars

Lando Norris - IndyCar

The Brit already has a kind of IndyCar win to his name, after he raced in their virtual series during the COVID-19 pandemic at Circuit of the Americas.

Being hugely popular wherever he goes, Norris would surely get plenty of backing, none more so than from McLaren who already have a team Stateside.

Oscar Piastri - Supercars

An Australian homecoming is the obvious choice, and one Piastri might relish given his showing at Albert Park.

Zak Brown can help him out with his ties to Walkinshaw Andretti United, who are among the most successful teams in the series.

Pierre Gasly loved his time in a Supercar while in Australia

Pierre Gasly - Supercars

Another driver heading Down Under could be Gasly, after he got his first taste of Supercar machinery before the Australian GP.

The Frenchman had a beaming smile on his face and if the call came in, he could have been persuaded to take it.

Esteban Ocon - World Endurance Championship

Another heading for WEC, and again he could stay with the Alpine family if they return to the Hypercar class.

A possible alternative could be to head up Peugeot's programme, which currently includes Sky Sports F1 pundit Paul Di Resta.

Valtteri Bottas is no stranger to some off-road fun

Valtteri Bottas - Extreme E

Despite embracing the Australian lifestyle his girlfriend has introduced, there is still a desire to go off-roading for Bottas.

His tight relationship with Hamilton could see his former team-mate open up a seat for him in Extreme E where he can tear through the landscape at speed.