Before a single kilometer had been driven, this year’s Formula 1 season was already historic. For the first time since the racing series was founded in 1950, all racing teams stuck to their driver pairings from the previous year.
Things will be different in 2025. Twelve pilot contracts are expiring for the ten teams. Behind the scenes there has long been a fight for the best drivers. These are the teams’ driver plans.
Mercedes: Schumacher and Vettel are out of the race
The Silver Arrows are looking for a successor for Lewis Hamilton (39), who is moving to Ferrari in 2025. Team boss Toto Wolff (52) doesn’t feel any pressure. The Austrian knows that – even though the Silver Arrow is only the third best car – he has the most sought-after free cockpit in the racing series due to the charisma of the German racing team. In the paddock it is clear: Mercedes is the team that will kick off this year’s driver domino.
According to this editorial team, there are only two names on Wolff’s list of candidates: Max Verstappen (26) ahead of Fernando Alonso (42). This also means: Sebastian Vettel (36) and Mick Schumacher (25), both of whom there have been rumors in the past few weeks, have no chance of winning the Silver Arrow. They are not an option.
Wolff makes no secret of his desired solution. After the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix he said of Verstappen: “I would like to have Max.” The Dutchman has a contract with Red Bull until 2028 – but can leave the team by clause, among other things, if motorsport boss Dr. Helmut Marko (80) is no longer part of the racing team. This cannot be ruled out given the power struggle that is currently raging at Red Bull.
also read
Alonso is the second choice for the Mercedes cockpit alongside George Russell (26). At the age of 42, the 2005 and 2006 world champion is in the final stretch of his career, but is still one of the fastest drivers. In addition, the Mercedes bosses have noted exactly how Alonso helped both Alpine and Aston Martin in the development of the car. Qualities that the Germans, who have been in crisis for three seasons now, can urgently use.
And Kimi Antonelli (17)? The Italian super talent is part of Mercedes’ youth program. Before the season, Wolff said: “We have to decide what we want: youth or experience.” Currently it clearly boils down to experience. Antonelli could start with a year of training at Williams in order to recommend himself for higher tasks there.
Red Bull is watching three high-flyers
At the Austrian racing team, despite the internal power struggle, everyone assumes that Verstappen will stay. The question then: Who will get second place on the world champion team? Sergio Pérez (34)’s contract expires at the end of the year. Renewal? Open! Although the Mexican started the season well with two second places, he has never been able to fully convince alongside Verstappen since his move to Red Bull in 2021.
Sainz wins ahead of Leclerc – world champion Verstappen is eliminated
The “Scuderia” triumphs at the third race weekend of the Formula 1 season: Carlos Sainz wins the Australian Grand Prix ahead of his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. World champion Max Verstappen in Red Bull suffers his first setback this year.
The hottest candidate if Pérez leaves is Alexander Albon (27), who was Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull from 2019 to 2020. Back then, Albon couldn’t keep up with the Dutchman, but he has been more than convincing at Williams since then and scored 27 of the racing team’s 28 championship points last season. Above all, Albon is Chalerm Yoovidhya’s (73) dream solution. The Thai, who is the majority owner of the Red Bull Group with his family, would like to see his compatriot in the team. The catch: Albon has a contract with Williams until the end of 2025. Therefore, RB is also monitoring the McLaren drivers Lando Norris (24) and Oscar Piastri (22), who also have long-term contracts but, thanks to exit clauses, are likely to change if McLaren misses their goals.
Also Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. The RB bosses are keeping an eye on (29), who has to give up his place for Hamilton and won in Australia at the weekend, and held talks with his father in Bahrain.
And Perez? If he leaves, he could replace Alonso at Aston-Martin.
Audi wants Sainz Jr. as a top driver
Although Audi will not enter Formula 1 until 2026, the VW subsidiary, which is taking over the Sauber team, which is competing this season under the name Stake F1 Team, is already fully involved in the driver market. Both Valtteri Bottas (34) and Guanyu Zhou (24)’s contracts are expiring. CEO Andreas Seidl (48)’s absolute preferred candidate is Carlos Sainz jr. The role as clear number 1 appeals to the Spaniard after he was number two at Ferrari behind Charles Leclerc (26) and previously at McLaren behind Lando Norris (24).
Problem: Sainz Jr. knows that before joining Audi in 2026 he will have (at least) one season in which he will not be competing for victories, but at most for individual points. The big Audi ace in poker around Sainz Jr. is the father of the same name of Formula 1 star Carlos Sainz. The rally legend wants to see his son drive for the Ingolstadt team. Sainz Sr. won the Dakar Rally with Audi, among other things, Seidl estimates from their days together at McLaren.
Carlos Sainz after his victory in Melbourne
Quelle: Future Publishing via Getty Images/Future Publishing
If Bottas and Zhou’s contracts are not extended, Nico Hülkenberg (36) is an alternative; he recently finished a strong ninth in Australia. Seidl wanted to sign the veteran for this season, but Haas pulled the option for another season. What speaks for the German: In addition to his experience, he would take on the role of number two. He is also one of the best qualifying drivers.
Other candidates on the Audi list: Yuki Tsunoda (23/Racing Bulls) and Pierre Gasly (28/Alpine).
Alpine is Schumacher’s only chance
The French racing team is the worst team in Formula 1. Chaos at the management level prevents sporting progress. This could drive away both Gasly and Esteban Ocon (27), whose contracts are expiring – and could be an opportunity for Mick Schumacher (25).
The German wants to return to Formula 1 after leaving as a regular driver at Haas at the end of 2022. Alpine is the only realistic chance for this. Mick is racing for the French team in the “WEC” long-distance race this year and can prove himself there.
Ferrari young star Bearmann to Haas?
The contracts of Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen (31) expire. While there are interested parties for the German, an extension seems most likely for the Dane. His teammate could be Oliver Bearman (18). The Brit is Ferrari’s reserve driver, replaced Sainz Jr. in Saudi Arabia, who was out due to an appendix operation – and impressed with 7th place.
also read
Since Ferrari supplies, among other things, the engine for Haas, the Scuderia also has influence on at least one cockpit of the US racing team. Bearman is the top favorite for this.
Ricciardo threatens to leave Racing Bulls
Daniel Ricciardo (34) has the best smile in the paddock – but he could soon lose it at the Racing Bulls (previously Alpha Tauri). The Australian is currently driving worse than his teammate Tsunoda.
The New Zealand top talent Liam Lawson (22), who replaced Ricciardo in five races last season after a hand injury, has a top chance of a Racing Bulls place.
The text was researched for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, SPORT BILD, BILD) and first published in SPORT BILD.
