With 7 races yet for the 2013 season to come to an end, the drivers line-up for 2014 is already in a very hot stage.

Formula 1 – FIA announces 2013 calendar changes

Firstly Red Bull’s Mark Webber announced his retirement from F1 in 2014. His seat will be taken by also Australian Daniel Ricciardo currently driving for Toro Rosso.

The 2nd driver place for Toro Rosso is therefore open  since Jean-Eric Vergne has been already confirmed to be again with the team in 2014.

Several names are on the line to take Ricciardo seat.

Portuguese António Félix da Costa as one of the drivers of Red Bull’s Young Programme is a strong contestant. He just won this weekend’s 2nd race of the Hungarian World Series by Renault Grand Prix and is 3rd overall in the championship. In 2012 he won several races in this series and was elected the 2012 Driver of the Year! 

Driver of the Year 2012 – António Félix da Costa All Over! 4 Titles, Including 2012 Best Driver

But two other names are also reliable options: Carlos Sainz Jr (also in the Red Bull’s Young Drivers Programme) that had an impressive performance in his stint in the Toro Rosso during the Young Drivers Test at Silverstone in July; and Brasilian Felipe Nasr (currently 2nd overall in GP2 Series) that has a huge sponsorship backing from Banco do Brasil and Sky Brasil.

Other movements in F1 drivers for 2014 involve Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg that said he would not be in the team next year. He will be replaced by Russian young driver Sergey Sirotkin (currently only 8th overall in World Series by Renault championship) but only if he manages to get his F1 Super License he will be able to take part in the 2014 championship.

Hulkenberg is said to be a potential target for Lotus-Renault that saw his Star Driver Kimi Raikkonen being announced last September 11th to pair up with Fernando Alonso in 2014 at Ferrari. Leaving Driver Felipe Massa intends to continue his F1 career and talks exist that Mclaren would be potentially interested. In such case, Perez seems to be the weakest link.

In the meanwhile don’t miss this weekend Singapore Grand Prix, it will be a night race forecasted to be held under hot weather, heavy rain and storm during the entire weekend. And also some changes were introduced in the circuit this year making the track faster.

Promise of a thrilling race (2:00/1:00 PM CET/GMT)!

Major changes will exist also in the 2014 F1 cars, don’t miss it below:

Formula 1 Major Technical Changes for 2014 – Turbo Engines Back in 8 Gear Box Cars And KERS Loses Its K!