F1 silly season is in full effect - here are all the latest rumours

F1 silly season is in full effect with rumours of drivers heading in multiple directions.

Well it is that time of year again where F1 silly season is in full effect and the rumour mill is spinning. With Nyck De Vries being dropped by Red Bull at AlphaTauri and being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo that put one rumour to bed after months of speculation how long the Dutch driver would survive.

Silly season - take everything driver contract rumour with a pinch of salt

Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc front runners for the second Red Bull seat:

Perhaps the biggest rumour around the paddock right now is that Red Bull have approached both Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc about their second seat at the team which is currently occupied by Sergio Perez. F1's owners Liberty Media have been pushing for "Dream Team" at Red Bull and from that came talk that the Milton Keynes team had approached Charles Leclerc in May to see where he stands with Ferrari. Red Bull have also reportedly approached Lando Norris to fullfil this dream team with Verstappen and Norris being friends and getting along well.

Lando Norris has a pre-contract at Ferrari:

Another rumour from around the paddock is that Norris has a pre-contract at Ferrari which could see him lined up alongside either Charles Leclerc or ex-McLaren teammate Carlos Sainz. A pre-contract means that the two sides have agreed that they will sign a contract but just have not put pen to paper yet. This means he would leave McLaren for the first time in his career

Carlos Sainz will sign for Audi:

With Norris rumoured to be off to Ferrari that could see Carlos Sainz leave the team for Audi who will make their F1 debut in 2026. Sainz would then be potentially partnered alongside Valtteri Bottas who is holding out for Audi's entry into the sport once they takeover from Alfa Romeo.

Mercedes are interested in Leclerc:

As gpdynamics.org reported last month, Mercedes are interested in Charles Leclerc in a potenial replacement for Lewis Hamilton if the seven time world champion decides to retire. Mercedes would be a good fit for Charles Leclerc after a rocky relationship the last two seasons due to strategic errors and a lack of reliability saw Leclerc's 2022 title charge come to an end in France.

Alex Albon turned down Red Bull and Ferrari may be a good spot for him:

It is no secret Alex Albon had a horrid time at Red Bull in 2020 after replacing Pierre Gasly after the team dropped him midway through 2019 after poor performances. It was reported over the British Grand Prix weekend that Helmut Marko was once again interested in Albon to join AlphaTauri again. Albon reportedly turned down the offer Marko offered to him with his focus being on helping Williams back to racing winning form. Ferrari also shared interest in him as reports said that the pracing horse was interested in two young British drivers with those being Norris and Albon if either of the teams current drivers decided to call time at Ferrari.

Once again these are all apart of silly season rumours so please take these with a pinch of salt/.