The 2016 F1 season will be remembered for numerous reasons, but one of them will no doubt be the loss of Felipe Massa, Jenson Button and most surprisingly Nico Rosberg, who announced his retirement after becoming world champion. Three drivers from the old guard who have decided to move on.
Massa, Rosberg and Button have handed in their notices and waved goodbye to Formula One after numerous years in the sport, before them we saw Mark Webber, Michael Schumacher (for a second time) and David Coulthard all hang up their helmets.
As with every generation of drivers, it is inevitable that we will say goodbye to them at some point as they reach the latter stages of their careers. In recent years we’ve seen departures from many notable names from the pit lane.
It is unknown what the trio have in store for their post-F1 careers, but they will no doubt miss the thrill behind the wheel, yet perhaps enjoy life without the pressures that come with the job
However, there is still some of the ‘old guard’ that continue to battle on. Most notably Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso, who began both of their F1 careers back in 2001. With both of their contracts ending at the end of the 2017 season, it is not unthinkable that they could both be leaving soon also.
Raikkonen and Alonso have shown that despite their years in the sport, they have the will to fight and drive as hard as ever, Raikkonen outperformed teammate Sebastian Vettel in qualifying through 2016, something you’d never thought possible a few years ago.
Alonso also outscored Button by more than double the points through the season. So with three drivers taking their final bow, what can we expect from the future racers that will fill the vacant seats they have left behind?
The young blood that is now making their way into F1 is feisty, fast, bold and are prepared to go against the PR teachings they are given in their early days. There is no fear amongst them.
They are ready to come in and take on the already established drivers with zero regard for their current status. Why should they?
Formula One is a sport that will eat you alive if you show the slightest signs of weakness. Fresh perspectives and attitudes have to be welcomed from the new breed of racers that are coming in and want to make their mark on the sport.
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz came in from 2015, Jolyon Palmer made his debut in Australia at the start of the season after GP2 success in 2014.
Stoffel Vandoorne has already had one race after subbing Fernando Alonso in Bahrain and will start his first full season in 2017 replacing Button, with Lance Stroll making his way into the vacant seat left by Massa.
At some point or another, there is always a generation change within every sport and it has to be embraced, while the beloved personalities of old say their goodbyes, there is a new wave of talent to grasp onto and treasure for many more years to come.
There is no doubt the sport will miss the charismatic characters of the past, but we are also seeing some fresh-faced youngsters make their way into the vacant seats left behind.
