One of the most important issues in a Formula 1 season is definitely the drivers market. A few weeks before the start of the World Championship, Ferrari has announced that Lewis Hamilton will replace Carlos Sainz in 2025. This decision, which is both surprising and interesting, has immediately upset the market, which this year will be even more delicate than in the past. In fact, the drivers will be looking for the best team not only in 2025, but also in view of 2026, when Formula 1 will undergo an epochal change with regard to cars, thus giving the chance to young drivers, but also to veterans, to change their careers.
Based on current contracts, only eight drivers should have the certainty of the team they will be racing in next year. It’s about Max Verstappen, who has been talking for weeks about an interest in Mercedes, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, both in Ferrari, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri with the McLaren, Fernando Alonso with the Aston Martin, George Russell with Mercedes and a few days ago Nico Hulkenberg, who has signed a contract with Audi, becoming official driver since 2026, and landing in the Team Stake F1 in 2025. What is the situation for the other drivers?
Carlos Sainz
The spaniard, after the news of his farewell to Ferrari at the end of this season, is looking for a competitive seat. In this first part of the championship, Sainz has been the protagonist of some good races, one of which he won in Australia, and this has attracted the attention of several team principals. At the moment it seems that there are three interested teams: Mercedes, Red Bull and Audi.
The first would have offered the Spaniard a one-year contract plus an optional second, probably giving Kimi Antonelli the chance to debut and grow in Williams. The Spaniard would have asked for two years guaranteed plus an optional third, but Mercedes does not seem to be of the same opinion. As a second offer there would be the Red Bull, team that Sainz already knows well since he ran in Toro Rosso from 2015 until mid-2017, before going to Renault. The Austrian team’s would be the best of three proposals for 2025, but for 2026, as for all other teams, it is a question mark.
However, Sainz would like a contract that gives him the certainty of not being considered second pilot, but to be treated in the same way as Verstappen. The third and last offer comes from Audi, which presents a very interesting project in view of 2026, but for 2025 it will be difficult to see it fight for the top positions, since for the next season it will still wear the shoes of the Team Stake F1, Which for the moment is not shining.
For this reason, Sainz is trying to wait as long as possible. Recently there have been different opinions about the position of the Spanish driver, with those who say he has already rejected the offer from the German team and those who say he is trying to delay evaluating all available offers.
Max Verstappen
It is strange to see the name of Max Verstappen on this list, considering that he has a contract until 2028. The dutchman is now the dominant driver in the current Formula 1 and, based on the results he is getting, it would be strange to see him in another team. The three-time world champion has said that what matters to him is having the best car, and Red Bull for now is by far. However, the situation could change for the Austrian team.
The beginning of the season, even before going on track, was quite turbulent because of the affair Horner. Moreover, the latest news of Adrian Newey, who announced his intention to leave the Red Bull Formula 1, could play a big role. In addition, the rumors of an interest by Mercedes towards Verstappen have increased. There is talk of a contract of 150 million euros per season, the entry of Helmut Marko into the team and a brand ambassador role for the future. At this moment the chances of seeing Verstappen in the German team are low but, in Formula 1, never say ever.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Finally there is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, currently in Formula 2, but he could debut in Formula 1 earlier than expected. The 17-year-old Bolognese is one of the cornerstones of the pilot market. In recent weeks there have been many discussions about his possible arrival in Formula 1. The rumors said that he could join in Williams, instead of Sargeant already this season, or in Mercedes, starting next year instead of Hamilton.
The latest rumors say that the Italian driver could debut already in Imola. This will be almost impossible, since Antonelli has not yet reached his majority age and this was confirmed in a press conference by the team principal of Williams, Vowles. However, once he turns 18, Kimi could immediately debut in Formula 1 alongside Albon. Then, he could move to Mercedes in 2025 and try to gain as much experience as possible in view of 2026, when the german team could be competitive again.
Oliver Bearman
Oliver Bearman is the last name that is being talked about with great insistence. The 18-year-old, currently teammate of Antonelli, has already made his F1 debut in Saudi Arabia with Ferrari, replacing the injured Carlos Sainz. The britain managed to achieve an excellent seventh place. Bearman’s speed, also considering the timing of his debut, was impressive and this could be decisive in the final decision. It is rumored that the English driver could go from 2025 to Haas to replace Nico Hulkenberg, who will be in the Stake F1 Team.
