The F1 2025 season is shaping up to be a thrilling one with fresh developments in the driver market.
- Lewis Hamilton is set to bid farewell to racing with Mercedes at the end of 2024.
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli is predicted to step into Hamilton’s shoes at Mercedes in 2025, according to Guenther Steiner.
- Valtteri Bottas is expected to stay with the newly branded Audi team, as Sauber transitions before the 2026 regulation changes.
- Alpine is on the lookout for a new driver to replace Esteban Ocon for the upcoming season.
The F1 2025 season is poised to be full of surprises, particularly with the expected retirement of Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes. This transition opens a seat that could see Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a promising F2 driver, stepping into the spotlight. Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner revealed his predictions, stating that Antonelli is likely to team up with George Russell at Mercedes if the team cannot lure Max Verstappen.
Guenther Steiner has also shared insights into Valtteri Bottas’s future, predicting that Bottas will remain with Sauber as they rebrand to Audi in line with the 2026 regulations. Bottas, renowned for his successful stint with Mercedes, will pair with Nico Hulkenberg, filling the spot previously held by Zhou Guanyu. Despite Bottas’s struggles due to car limitations, Steiner maintains he is one of the best drivers available.
Alpine, on the other hand, is preparing for changes of its own. With Esteban Ocon set to join Haas alongside Oliver Bearman, Alpine must find a suitable replacement to partner with Pierre Gasly. According to Steiner, Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive adviser, has kept the door open for several candidates like Kevin Magnussen, Jack Doohan, and Mick Schumacher. Steiner humorously deferred expressing a personal opinion on Schumacher’s chances to avoid criticism.
While the shake-ups in team line-ups bring excitement, they also highlight the strategic maneuvers teams must make in securing top driving talent. Steiner’s insights provide a glimpse into the possible future alignments within F1, underlining the significance of selecting the right drivers for competitive advantage.
The F1 2025 season promises a dynamic shift in driver arrangements, setting the stage for an exhilarating championship battle.
