How is the F1 drivers market at the moment?

The silly season for the 2025 season promised strong emotions, and with barely nine races finished in 2024, several bombshells have already revolutionized and conditioned the signings for the next season. First were the multi-year renewals without a specific end date for Norris (beyond 2026) and Leclerc. Then came the announcement of the signing of Hamilton for Ferrari as a teammate of the Monegasque, which implied Carlos Sainz’s departure from Maranello. The Madrid native has not yet confirmed his destination, but it will be another hot moment. Then came continuity until, at least, Fernando Alonso’s 2026 at Aston Martin, a driver who has been endlessly rumored, as has been the case, from a possible retirement to a signing for Red Bull or Mercedes or continuity with those at Silverstone.

As if it didn’t seem enough, the announcement didn’t stop there. A few days later, Nico Hulkenberg again shook up the Formula 1 market by confirming his departure from Haas once the current season concludes. After spending two years racing with the Americans, the German driver will bid them farewell to take on a new challenge. It was announced shortly after that he would join the Sauber (Stake F1 Team KICK) in the Grand Circus starting in 2025. His objective is to be part of Audi’s future project at the World Championship just one year from now. The team is betting on a driver who has competed in over 200 Formula 1 races. Hulkenberg’s contract is also multi-year and will begin in 2025, with an unknown expiration date. The same type of agreement was reached by Alexander Albon practically a month later with Williams. The 28-year-old Thai-British has also been part of the rumor regarding possible transfers after Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari, but finally, he stays where he is. In fact, they wanted to tie him up sooner than expected because his contract did not end until 2025. Now, his new agreement will extend beyond 2026.

Esteban Ocon did not have the same fate. The Frenchman has been the protagonist of the latest bomb of this transfer market after learning of his definitive departure from Alpine. His attitude in the last Monaco GP has been decisive in deciding not to renew him once this season ends, an agreement that both parties have reached. Now, Alonso’s former teammate will have to make a living. Although he hopes to “announce soon” his destiny, the decision is conditioned by the next moves on the grid, especially waiting for what Carlos Sainz decides with his future. Of course, there will be no shortage of options like Haas, where Kevin Magnussen’s stay is in danger.

Confirmed F1 teams’ lineups

Thus, at the moment, only Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin have a confirmed lineup for 2025. The latter is still unknown, depending on Lance Stroll’s continuation as Alonso’s partner. At Red Bull, Max Verstappen has a contract until 2028, and the occupant of the other RB20 must be clarified soon. Checo Pérez will end his relationship with the Energetics at the end of the season, and there have been a lot of rumors about his next season’s whereabouts. Something similar is happening at Mercedes. With the departure of Sir Lewis, only George Russell has a seat secured until 2025. Many drivers on the grid highly covet the remaining W15 seat.

From here, there is the most absolute uncertainty. The Alpine, Williams, Sauber, Haas, and Visa Cash App (RB) are available for exchange because practically all their drivers end their contracts in 2024. It seems that Ocon is already out of the French team, and Gasly is on his way to renewal. However, they will need to find him a partner. They could consider raising Jack Doohan, betting on Mick Schumacher (their driver in the WEC), or looking at Guanyu Zhou, who sees his seat in Sauber in danger. Among the other drivers without a contract beyond 2024 are Sargeant, Bottas, Tsunoda, and Ricciardo. However, the latter is on the wire and can leave the Red Bull subsidiary anytime.

Pilots with contracts beyond 2024