Carlos Sainz’s move to Williams has stirred the F1 driver market, setting off a chain reaction of team changes.
- Jack Doohan is poised to fill Esteban Ocon’s vacant seat at Alpine, thanks to his impressive junior performance.
- Valtteri Bottas is likely to remain with Sauber as the team transitions to Audi, due to his speed and reliability.
- Sergio Perez will continue with Red Bull, despite rumors of his departure, leaving fewer open seats for 2025.
- Mercedes has eyes on young talent Kimi Antonelli while VCARB weighs options between Ricciardo and Lawson.
The Formula 1 driver market has been buzzing with activity following Carlos Sainz’s decision to join Williams for 2025. Teams had delayed making any moves, waiting to see where Sainz would land, and now that the cat’s out of the bag, the dominoes are starting to fall.
Alpine is in the spotlight with Pierre Gasly confirmed for 2025 and Esteban Ocon out, leaving a seat open. Enter Jack Doohan, the reserve driver who’s been impressing everyone with his performance in the junior series. Alpine has been grooming Doohan for this moment, offering him ample practice sessions and simulations. The expectation is that he’ll step into the main role, filling the void left by Ocon with confidence and skill.
Meanwhile, over at Sauber, which will become Audi in 2026, the future seems to hold onto Valtteri Bottas. Bottas, a well-regarded driver known for his speed and dependability, is predicted to stay on through 2025. His presence is seen as vital to help Sauber transition smoothly to become Audi, especially with the new management of Mattia Binotto coming in.
In a surprising twist, Sergio Perez will continue with Red Bull for the remainder of 2024, despite widespread rumors of his exit. This confirmation leaves limited opportunities in the top teams for 2025. Mercedes is thought to be banking on Kimi Antonelli, a promising young talent, akin to another Max Verstappen. Meanwhile, VCARB is in a toss-up between Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson for a seat in 2025, assessing who among them has the edge in skill and speed.
These developments highlight the ever-changing landscape of F1, where team strategies and driver capabilities continue to intertwine in fascinating ways. As the 2025 season approaches, the paddock will be closely watched to see how these shifts play out on the track.
The F1 driver market is as dynamic as ever, with moves like Sainz’s to Williams shaping the face of future seasons.
