As the Formula 1 circuit gathered in Imola this weekend, whispers of clandestine meetings and future team line-ups have stirred the paddock. The intrigue centers around Carlos Sainz and the looming decisions that could set off a domino effect for the 2025 season.
The return of traditional motorhomes at the start of the European season in Imola has sparked a flurry of activity. Observers noted various gatherings that hint at negotiations for the upcoming season. Among the most notable sightings was a chat between Valtteri Bottas and James Vowles of Williams on Saturday morning, as well as Carlos Sainz’s management team visiting several teams, including Red Bull and Alpine.
Much of this activity revolves around Sainz, who has an offer from Sauber/Audi but faces a deadline at the end of the month to make a decision. Sainz has been cautious, hoping for potential seats at Red Bull or Mercedes. However, Red Bull appears close to retaining Sergio Perez, and Mercedes is eyeing Andrea Kimi Antonelli if they don’t secure Max Verstappen. Thus, Sainz’s window of opportunity with these top teams is narrowing.
If Sainz declines the Sauber/Audi offer, the German team is likely to pivot to Esteban Ocon or Pierre Gasly. This situation has sparked a reaction from current Sauber drivers like Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, who are exploring other opportunities. Bottas, who met with Vowles, quipped about needing coffee but acknowledged the reality of being on the free market: “When you’re on the free market, you’re going to check around what is out there. It’s a pretty normal situation if you are on the free market.”
Bottas is considered a strong candidate to join Williams alongside Alex Albon, as Vowles mentioned evaluating several options for 2025/2026, hinting that Logan Sargeant might not be retained. Other possibilities for Bottas include seats at Haas and Alpine, where he seems to be confident about landing a position.
Haas is making moves too, aiming to secure drivers early due to their increasing competitiveness. Though they’ve shown interest in Oliver Bearman, team founder Gene Haas seems hesitant to commit to a rookie after previous troubles with Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin. Bearman could still sway Haas if he continues to perform well in practice sessions, as he did standing in for Sainz in the Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Ocon and Gasly are prime targets for Haas, with other options like incumbent Kevin Magnussen and Zhou in the mix. Despite external interest, Alpine is taking a measured approach, focusing on technical improvements rather than rushing driver decisions. Team principal Bruno Famin stated, “We really want to focus on the technical side, car improvement, the technical structure, and we will take our time for the drivers.”
This deliberate strategy by Alpine comes with the risk of losing their current drivers, but Famin feels confident thanks to strong interest from other teams. What’s clear is that the driver market is poised for significant shifts based on the decisions made in the coming days at Imola.
The Formula 1 driver market is on the brink of significant changes, with key decisions pending from Carlos Sainz and other drivers. This weekend’s activities in Imola have set the stage for an intriguing series of moves that will shape the 2025 season.
