Six F1 seats still free for 2025 and the ten drivers being tipped to take them
With Esteban Ocon's move to Haas confirmed, the number of seats still available for 2025 has dropped.
Esteban Ocon was confirmed as a Haas driver on Thursday ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, meaning that there are now six seats available, and at least 10 drivers being linked with them.
This year has produced a summer silly season for the ages with Carlos Sainz, Toto Wolff and to some extent reigning champion Max Verstappen causing a bottleneck that has affected drivers up and down the paddock.
Heading into the summer shutdown, only Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin and Haas have confirmed their driver pairings for 2025. Among the biggest names still to name their line-ups are Mercedes and Red Bull.
Related articles
The former’s case is relatively simple. While Max Verstappen had been heavily linked before, the removal of a clause in Helmut Marko’s contract means that a switch to Brackley in 2025 would be nearly impossible to execute. That leaves 17-year-old starlet Kimi Antonelli poised to make the step onto the F1 grid next year.
At Red Bull, the situation is much more complicated. Sergio Perez still has a chance to retain his seat for the 2025 campaign but may also be out of a job by the time the paddock returns from the summer shutdown. Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo are the three leading contenders to replace him should that timeline materialise.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Ricciardo’s own future is a complicated one. The popular Aussie does not have a long-term home at VCARB, but his performances are unlikely to earn him a spot at Red Bull. Expect him to leave the Faenza-based team at the end of the year with two of Lawson, Tsunoda and Formula Two leader Isack Hadjar making up their line-up.
Further down the grid, there are three teams with one seat each to fill: Alpine, Williams and Sauber. For each of these squads, Carlos Sainz is the priority, with Valtteri Bottas and to a lesser extent Kevin Magnussen in the conversation to fill the remaining slots.
More F1...
Martin Brundle admits Max Verstappen would tell him to 'f*** off' for F1 take [INSIGHT]
Max Verstappen digs out Red Bull with cheeky Hungarian Grand Prix comment [DRAMA]
Wolff ignores Antonelli comments as Mercedes boss makes 'stupid' assessment [LATEST]
While none of the current crop of Williams or Sauber junior drivers are in the mix for a spot on the 2025 grid, Alpine do have a wildcard option of their own. Jack Doohan has been enjoying an extensive testing programme that combines private tests and FP1 appearances as the Enstone-based team prepare him for a possible debut next year.
With Sainz’s decision still pending, the remaining drivers in the hunt for one of those three seats are being forced to sit tight. Until the three-time Grand Prix winner plays his cards, the market will remain in limbo.
