Ever since Lewis Hamilton fired the starting gun pre-season, the Formula One driver market for 2025 has been buzzing with speculation. Now, Audi F1 is making waves by considering a surprise rookie to join the team.
The driver market is abuzz. With 13 drivers out of contract this year, changes are imminent. Haas has already signed rookie Oliver Bearman, meaning at least one current driver will leave.
Mercedes may replace their seven-time world champion with Kimi Antonelli, while Alpine eyes Jack Doohan. For the first time, every driver this season started and finished with the same teams, a stark contrast to what’s expected next season.
Audi’s situation is chaotic. After sacking their top brass, they replaced them with ex-Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto and new team principal Jonathan Wheatley. They’ve already signed Nico Hulkenberg on a multi-year deal, but questions remain about his teammate.
Carlos Sainz declined Audi’s offer, favoring Williams’ vision for success. With cash now flowing in, Zhou Guanyu and his significant financial backing are likely to be out of the picture from 2025. This could improve Valtteri Bottas’s chances to stay with the team.
Gabriel Bortoleto is a potential candidate to join Hulkenberg. The F2 driver, mentored by Fernando Alonso, currently sits second in the championship. With around 150 points still up for grabs, he could very well end up clinching the F2 title.
Bottas remains hopeful despite a challenging season. He believes the team’s pace is improving. “Yeah, I think we tried,” said Bottas. “It felt like we were in a better position with race pace, but still not enough for a top-10. We need more upgrades and progress.”
With Audi’s shake-up and the inclusion of promising rookies like Gabriel Bortoleto, the 2025 F1 season promises significant changes. The driver market is lively, and fans have much to look forward to.
