At mid-season 2024, several drivers have already confirmed their presence on the grid for the next Formula 1 season. As teams prepare for the second half of the season, there are now only four seats left to be filled.
Three teams have decided to keep their driver duo for the next season. At Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez will continue to drive for the team. Despite rumors of the Mexican driver’s departure. McLaren has also decided to maintain the British Lando Norris and Australian Oscar Piastri, even though they had already signed a contract for several years. Aston Martin, on the other hand, is keeping double world champion Fernando Alonso alongside Lance Stroll, who will be back on track in the team’s colors.
The changes for 2025
This season was also marked by five transfers already confirmed by the teams. At the beginning of the year, Lewis Hamilton announced that he was leaving Mercedes after 11 years of collaboration to join Ferrari. He will take Carlos Sainz’s place to form a duo with Monegasque Charles Leclerc. Carlos Sainz, on the other hand, will move to Williams, joining Alexander Albon in the British team.
On his side, Nico Hülkenberg will leave Haas to join Audi. While waiting for the team’s arrival in 2026, he will stay at Stake F1 for the 2025 season. As a reminder, Audi will replace Sauber, which will bid farewell to Formula 1 within the next two seasons. Esteban Ocon will leave Alpine to join Haas, which has opted for a complete change of its driver line-up. He will be accompanied by Oliver Bearman, currently racing for Prema in Formula 2.
Some drivers will stay with their current teams despite the available space next to them. This is the case for Pierre Gasly, who will continue with Alpine as the only French driver in the team for the time being. The same goes for George Russell, who will still drive for Mercedes, despite the departure of his teammate Lewis Hamilton.
At the time of the summer break, no changes will be announced until next week, but the return from vacation could well be accompanied by some official announcements.