The drivers' market: Pre-summer analysis (Part 1)

There might have been no changes in the team lineups between the last and the current season, but all the speculations and gossip regarding the seats of 2025 more than made up for the previous lack of excitement. The so-called 'silly season', which includes heated debates regarding the possible signings, was put in motion early, with the shocking news of Lewis Hamilton changing teams after more than a decade of being a Mercedes driver. Once his announcement had opened the floodgates, it seemed like every week we discovered a new piece of the puzzle. Driver announcements, new partnerships, and above all else, a lot of gossip were what filled the days between the first half of this season's races. 

Now, with the summer break having started after the exciting Belgian Grand Prix, only five seats are left unknown. Or rather... Four, as one was confirmed right after I had decided to sit down and begin working on the article. Today, I want to dive deeper into the confirmed and suspected lineups and discuss the pairings and the way they came to be. 

RED BULL

Let's start with the team that's currently first in the championship standings, the ever-impressive Red Bull. At first glance, there is little to say about their lineup. Not only is it the same one we've seen for the past few seasons, but also one that is confirmed at least until the end of 2026. Upon closer inspection, something strange can be seen below the surface, Both drivers are surrounded by rumours, albeit for very different reasons. 

Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, is signed with the team until 2028 but throughout the season, whispers could be heard about him potentially leaving the team. The reasons for his supposed exit are plenty. Some relate to his general disappointment with the team, especially throughout the second half of the season, and some to the tension between multiple key parts of the Red Bull family, such as Helmut Marko, Christian Horner, and Jos Verstappen. And if the Dutch driver decided to try his luck with another team, it wouldn't take him long to find a new seat as Mercedes' Toto Wolff has openly stated that he is interested in signing him. 

Whispers around the paddock said that Sergio Perez would be replaced for the 2025 season. The main candidates for his seat seemed to be the other drivers of the Red Bull family, namely Daniel Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson. People wondered which one would get to drive alongside Verstappen but, in the end, all speculations were rendered senseless when a two-year contract extension was signed by the Mexican driver. This put the rumours to rest for a few weeks but the announcement was filled with a streak of less-than-perfect and very often point-less races. Perez's lacklustre performance helped McLaren get closer than ever to the team at the top of the constructors' championship and once again ignited unpleasant gossip. Soon after the summer break began, Red Bull spoke out and confirmed that they had no intention of replacing the driver mid-season. The same cannot be said about the upcoming season. Now, everything depends on the performance of Perez and all the other Red Bull-related drivers. 

KICK SAUBER 

If we look on the opposite side of the standings we will find Kick Sauber, the only team on the grid who did not score a single point in the current season. Its two drivers are Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas, although neither has been confirmed beyond the end of 2024. So who is confirmed? The answer to that is Haas' Nico Hulkenberg who will be joining the season in 2025 and staying for 2026 to see it turn into Audi. He will be a fitting choice for the soon-to-be German team. 

For now, the second spot remains open, and although there isn't a clear candidate for it, quite a few names keep being mentioned during conversations about possible signings. It was no secret that the tea had hoped to sign the driver departing Ferrari, given that Audi has strong connections with the Sainz family. While the deal could have possibly been mutually beneficial, Carlos has already signed a deal with another team. Both of the current Kick drivers, neither of who have contracts with any other teams, are a viable option. So are the other drivers on the grid who remain unsigned, such as Hulkenberg's teammate Magnussen, or Williams' Sargeant. There is also the possibility of an outside driver being brought in, maybe in the form of Formula 2 champion, Theo Pourchaire. 

MCLAREN

The situation in the papaya team is much more straightforward. Lando Norris confirmed that he would continue his career with the team, having signed a contract of undisclosed length before the lights went out for the first time in the 2024 season. Oscar Piastri impressed the team and was offered a place until the end of 2026 before his rookie season ended. Both drivers are young, capable, and seem to work together fairly well. Both managed to score a win, as well as multiple podiums, and show no signs of stopping, especially with how well-developed their car is. The pairing is solid and highly unlikely to undergo any sudden or unexpected changes. 

WILLIAMS

Williams had a surprise in store for me. When I sat down to write this article, the only confirmed driver was Alex Albon, a pillar of the team for multiple seasons now. But before I could get through the first paragraph, news came about the signing of none other than Carlos Sainz. The Ferrari driver caused quite a stir in the market as for months he refused to make a decision about where he would be heading once the 2024 season came to an end. The length of his new contract, as it seems to be popular in recent times, was not disclosed. The only information available to the public is that he will become a part of the team for 2025, 2026, and beyond.

While there is no doubt that having such a solid driver can be incredibly beneficial, many fans wonder what impact will he have on the team's dynamic. Sainz is coming to Williams from one of the top teams and with multiple race wins under his belt so it wouldn't be a surprise if he expected to be made the 'number one driver'. But if he is given the general priority then what about Albon, who's been with the team for years and carried it through some darker seasons. James Vowels, Williams' team principal, often shows his appreciation to Albon. He was also very open about wanting to make Sainz an addition to his team. Will he be able to treat both of his drivers fairly? 

FERRARI

Being the second team involved in what was one of the most surprising signings in recent times, Ferrari shook up the drivers' market. Currently, its drivers are Charles Leclerc and aforementioned Carlos Sainz. 'Il Predestinato', Ferrari's past, present, and future, is staying with the team for multiple seasons. The length of his contract has not been disclosed. His teammate is being replaced by the 7-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton. 

Seeing Leclerc and Hamilton in one team is, without a doubt, something to get excited about. Both are skilled and experienced, albeit one has been in Formula 1 for much longer than the other. With that being said, what strategy will Ferrari take with the two? It's often beneficial for the team to have a clear number one and clear number two, and even though for the past few seasons Ferrari hasn't chosen a clear favourite, what would happen if they decided to do so now? Would they make their wonder-boy step back? Or would they try to convince one of the most accomplished drivers in the sport to do so?

Those were five of the ten teams that we are used to seeing on our screens every Sunday. And there is still a lot to be discussed. Who will join Gasly in Alpine after the team's many personnel changes? Who is set to make his Formula One debut? And, of course, who is most likely to take the coveted Mercedes seat?