Lewis Hamilton’s surprise pre-season announcement of his move from Mercedes to Ferrari has set the F1 world abuzz, with ripples echoing through the driver market.
Everyone expected Carlos Sainz to clarify his future plans at the Spanish Grand Prix, but Alpine’s late bid for the Spanish driver threw a wrench in those works. Valtteri Bottas confirmed that Sainz’s decision is pivotal for his own fate in F1. The Finnish driver, who is eyeing a return to Williams, hinted at delays: “I was hoping there would be decisions made earlier this week, but deadlines got pushed back again – that’s the situation, so nothing new from last week. So yeah, kind of waiting for a piece to fall into place and then it should all happen pretty quick.”
Meanwhile, the future looks uncertain for Bottas if Sainz heads to Williams, as Sauber/Audi has plans to overhaul their lineup. But it’s not all bleak for the Finn. He’s drawing attention from five IndyCar teams and has an offer from Prema, who are debuting in North American racing in 2025.
Esteban Ocon is another wildcard. After a dramatic collision with his teammate in Monaco, Ocon has decided to leave Alpine. This incident led to a televised meltdown from his team principal, who blamed Ocon entirely. Ocon’s journey in motorsport has been a roller-coaster. Given opportunities with Lotus, Mercedes, and Ferrari, he finally made his F1 debut with Force India. Despite his ups and downs, Ocon might just find a new home at Haas, replacing Nico Hulkenberg who is set to join Sauber/Audi for 2025.
Ocon dropped hints about his future at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he previously bagged his maiden F1 victory in 2021. When asked if Haas was his next stop, he said, “There’s nothing more to say on that. We are obviously working on my future, there are good discussions going on and I hope that I will be able to announce very soon.”
This season’s rookie standout Oliver Bearman has earned a spot at Haas, having impressed in his debut Ferrari session. This likely signals the end for Kevin Magnussen at Haas, who candidly acknowledged the transparency of his boss in discussing replacements: “I feel like I can trust him. He’s not hiding the fact that he’s talking to other drivers as well,” Magnussen revealed.
Meanwhile, rumors are swirling around Mick Schumacher’s possible return to F1. Currently racing in the World Endurance Championship, Schumacher hasn’t given up on his dream of coming back to the pinnacle of motorsport. He remains optimistic about a potential return, fueled by recent successes.
As the 2025 F1 driver lineup continues to unfold, fans are left on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting official announcements and the thrilling races that lie ahead.
