2025 driver line up.

[Andy B]

A prediction on Planet F1 shows the list below which could be very close with four teams sorted and some drivers under contract I wondered if you agree?


Red Bull: Max Verstappen / Sergio Perez
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc / Lewis Hamilton
McLaren: Lando Norris / Oscar Piastri
Mercedes: George Russell / Kimi Antonelli
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso / Lance Stroll
RB: Yuki Tsunoda / Liam Lawson
Haas: Esteban Ocon / Oliver Bearman
Alpine: Pierre Gasly / Jack Doohan
Williams: Alex Albon / Valtteri Bottas
Sauber: Nico Hulkenberg / Carlos Sainz

[John S]

Some of that list a bit puzzling to me Andy.

I'd say Bottas will be back in Merc for 25 and Antonelli will be with Alex at Williams.
Valtteri will only get a one year deal, with Merc side retaining option for 2, warming the seat for K Antonelli to step up in 26 - if he delivers at Williams.

Haas pairing will be Zhou Guanyu & Ollie Bearman.
Chinese sponsors and strategic things for Gene Haas other business interests will probably swing this. Ollie obviously is a Ferrari favour.

Leaving Ocon & Gasly at Alpine as they've got no where else to go.

Only unresolved issue is Perez seat, will it be better to bring Carlos in ahead of big changes in 26?
Checo getting a bit long in tooth for new 26 regs. Maybe better to get Sainz acclimatised in 25. 

[Andy B]

And there's always surprises to be had!

[Dare]

I guess it's assumed Danny R is out next year no matter
what he does the rest the year. If Max moves which I find
unlikely that would throw a wrench in the works. Carlos 
deserves a better seat than what it looks like he'll get

[cosworth151]

Haas pairing will be Zhou Guanyu & Ollie Bearman.
Chinese sponsors and strategic things for Gene Haas other business interests will probably swing this.

I can see one big problem with this. A major talking point for the upcoming elections here in the States is who can be the toughest on China. Every candidate seems to want to out-sanction their opposition. Any Chinese sponsorship deals could be outlawed as quickly as the Uralkali sponsorship deal. For Gene, it could well be a case of "once bitten, twice shy."

Ferrari will pretty much require Bearman. I look for him to be paired with Ocon or Bottas.

My dark horse pick would be Sargeant, strictly to have an American driver with an American team. Since Andretti might end Hass's time as the American team, an American driver might be a good PR move.

[Jericoke]

I guess it's assumed Danny R is out next year no matter
what he does the rest the year. If Max moves which I find
unlikely that would throw a wrench in the works. Carlos 
deserves a better seat than what it looks like he'll get

Certainly the driver market has a lot of room still.

I do find it interesting that people seem to pick Bottas over Ricciardo.  Based on current performance, it's hard to say who's the better driver, and who would bring more to a team.  They're both race winners.  They both have strong fan bases that can bring in sponsors/media attention.

If I was running an F1 team that wasn't expecting to win, I might be more inclined to pick Daniel.  He's got experience with more teams, and could be a constructive figure in what to do (and what not to do).  Bottas's time at Williams and Sauber probably doesn't help a team with aspirations, and his time as Hamilton's rear gunner probably isn't as valuable either (although it can be noted Mercedes was much better with Bottas than without...)

If I was running a team expecting to win though, I'd choose Bottas.  He seems to have a better mindset for that, to handle the challenges that come with being at the pointy end of the grid.  Ricciardo out performed a WDC teammate in Vettel, but then couldn't handle having Verstappen alongside him.

[Andy B]

The only reason I would not choose Bottas is that mullet if he gets a haircut he's in!