F1 is the fastest and most glamorous motorsport series in the world and with only 20 full-time drives available, competition for places on the grid is fierce.
With 11 race winners on the grid in 2023 there is no shortage of talent among the current F1 crop, but the pressure remains extremely high, especially with a host of talented rookies coming through the feeder series ranks.
While fans may have become accustomed to the long-term deals handed out to the likes of Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris in recent years, one-year or two-year deals are the norm meaning there is often a healthy driver turnover year on year.
Silly season may still be months away, but the rumour mill regarding contract discussions and driver transfers is already in full swing.
Which drivers are out of contract after 2023?
As of now, there are only three drivers whose contracts are set to expire at the end of the 2023 season.
Despite his plan to take a year off from F1 following McLaren's departure in 2022, Ricciardo returned to the grid before the 2023 summer break, having joined AlphaTauri on loan from Red Bull Racing, replacing the axed Nyck de Vries.
The Aussie's contract is valid until the end of 2023. However, Helmut Marko hinted that he would stay with the Italian outfit for another year if he continued to perform.
Marko told Motorsport-Magazin: “We know his goals, but how to achieve them, whether he is ready to do a full year at AlphaTauri next year with full commitment.”
Yuki Tsunoda will be expecting his contract situation to be resolved soon following an impressive start to the 2023 F1 season.
The Japanese driver made notable improvements in his second season as an F1 driver and has continued that improvement into 2023, following up consecutive P11 finishes with AlphaTauri's first points of the season in Melbourne.
AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost recently stated: "I think he should drive at AlphaTauri again in 2024", before suggesting him as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez at Red Bull in 2025.
Logan Sargeant will have less pressure on his shoulders in 2023 than many rookies have in the past with this season being a year of adaptation for the Floridian.
The first full-time American driver since Scott Speed headed into his F1 debut in Bahrain having finished P4 in the F2 standings.
As long as Sargeant stays competitive with team-mate Alex Albon, Williams team principal James Vowles will be keen to renew his deal for 2024 and beyond.