F1 2025: Driver Shuffles, Extensions, and Battle for Best Seats
The second half of the 2024 F1 season returns this coming weekend, with reigning World Champion Max Verstappen’s home race in Netherlands welcoming the drivers back. As the season is nearing its end, the F1 fans would have to face the inevitable–this is also the end to some of the most iconic and historic teams ever.
With only four seats left empty, the 2025 season’s vision is almost complete. However, this doesn’t only instigate agitation among the seatless drivers and their fans, but also to the fans of those who will transfer to a different team.
F1 Driver Shuffles
F1 legend Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari
Starting off the list is the news that came as the most shocking to all Formula 1 fans. Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton has been announced to have signed to Ferrari in 2025 and beyond. This sent both Hamilton and Sainz fans in a spiral as the Spaniard was left unsigned and seatless.
Lewis has been driving for Mercedes since 2013, and with 11 wonderful years spent within the team, it definitely was a difficult decision for the Brit. He promised to perform a good year in his last year with the Silver Arrows and his two race wins speak for itself. Hamilton will be driving alongside Charles Leclerc for the 2025 season.
Kick Sauber signs Hulkenberg
Kick Sauber also announced that Nico Hulkenberg will be joining them next season. The German team has expressed that Hulkenberg is a strong addition to their team, and all thanks to Andreas Seidl, the current Haas driver was steered into Sauber’s direction. Nico Hulkenberg seems to be very optimistic and excited for this journey when he confirmed the news in an instagram post.
A New F1 Challenger: Oliver Bearman to Haas
Ollie Bearman made his iconic F1 debut when he drove for Ferrari on Sainz’s place when the Spaniard underwent appendix removal. The 19-year-old F2 driver finished the race with 6 points to his name and has earned his rightful spot to a multi-year contract with Haas.
Bearman admitted that he cannot find the words to express how proud he is of this achievement as it is a dream come true. “To be one of the very few people who get to do the thing [that] they dreamed of as a child is something truly incredible,” said Ollie.
Esteban Ocon Inks A New Deal With Haas F1
Following the news that Kevin Magnussen will be departing from the Haas team, current Alpine driver Esteban Ocon surprised many with the confirmation that he will be driving for Haas next season alongside Bearman. He signed on a multi-year contract with them, and the Frenchman is thrilled to embark on this journey.
Williams Wins F1 Bidding War for Carlos Sainz
Sainz’s decision to join a team has been a mystery for every F1 fan for months. Rumors have arised here and there, and the Spanish driver has also announced that discussions with various teams were occurring–Audi/Sauber, Alpine, and Williams.
It was a guessing game that stretched for months before it was revealed that he will be driving alongside Alex Albon for Williams for the 2025 and 2026 season. The 29-year-old is very excited for this journey, and assures that he is confident that the Williams’ seat is the right spot for him.
What Else Transpired Throughout The F1 Season?
Ultimately, this means that Logan Sargeant is out of the Williams team for next season. The team expressed their support for Sargeant’s decisions in his driving career for the next season and beyond, and showed gratitude to the American driver’s performance and work for his current team.
Sergio Perez has extended his contract with Red Bull for two more years. Team principal Christian Horner said that the partnership between Checo and Max has been a success and they wish to continue with it for the next seasons to come. This extension
Aston Martin’s drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have also penned a contract extension for the 2025 and 2026 season. RB has also extended their Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda for one more year, but has not announced any plans for their open seat.
Haas’ current driver Kevin Magnussen has yet to reveal plans for the 2025 season, together with RB’s Daniel Ricciardo, and Kick Sauber’s current duo Valterri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley has also confirmed leaving Red Bull. He will be transferring to Audi as the Team Principal for the 2026 season, but will start a gardening leave by 2025 from Red Bull. Former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has also been recruited for Audi in 2026. The “new team” has been forming their crew with experienced professionals, and it’s looking like they’re off to a great start.
Enrico Cardille has also announced his departure from Ferrari and revealed future plans. He will be Aston Martin’s F1 Chief Technical Officer in 2025, bringing an end to his two decades with Scuderia. Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of the team, is proud that they continue to attract world-class talent into their way, and also revealed how excited they are for Cardille’s arrival.
Red Bull’s race engineer Adrian Newey announced he will be parting ways with the team in the first quarter of 2025. He has also been rumored that he will be transferring to Ferrari or Mercedes, but has yet to personally confirm anything.
While rumors are zooming here and there, it’s hard to assume whether the last few seats will be filled with new names or those whom we are more familiar with. With one Mercedes seat still open, speculations are more active than ever whether Valterri Bottas will return, or 17-year-old Kimi Antonelli will claim his F1 debut together with Bearman. Antonelli has been
More questions will continue to arise until every seat is filled. It is undoubtedly safe to presume that important discussions are yet to unveil, and the market will shake more before it settles down.
