Massive modifications are coming.
The 2024 System 1 season could also be properly underway however that doesn’t imply we are able to’t stay up for 2025 and the shakeups to crew drivers. Right here’s a have a look at how the subsequent 12 months is shaping up for a number of groups that can see drastic modifications.
Mercedes And Ferrari
Undoubtedly, the most important headline going into the 2025 season needs to be Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes and a transfer to Ferrari. After this bombshell transfer was introduced, you possibly can nearly hear jaws from across the globe drop and hit the ground. After over a decade with Mercedes, Hamilton will probably be paired up with Charles Leclerc whereas the tifosi cheer him on. This, nonetheless, leaves an open spot subsequent to George Russell at Mercedes, which has but to have been stuffed as of penning this. On the upside, with a younger Russell, Mercedes has an opportunity to herald younger expertise and have a strong crew for years to return.
Alpine and Haas
Pierre Gasly has posted a handful of top-10 finishes, which can maintain him at Alpine because the crew renewed him with a multi-year deal, however his teammate for 2025 won’t be Esteban Ocon as he strikes over to Haas. In actual fact, we nonetheless want to search out out who Gasly will race alongside. Over at Haas, Ocon will probably be racing with Oliver Bearman, who completed seventh on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for Ferrari this 12 months. Oh, and that additionally occurred to be Bearman’s System 1 debut. Now that’s the way you make an entrance.
Williams
There needed to be an open spot for Hamilton to maneuver to Ferrari, and Carlos Sainz’s absence in 2025 made it potential. And that’s as a result of Sainz will probably be driving for Williams alongside Alex Albon. Williams has a lot historical past behind the crew, and with years of shortcomings, Sainz can support Albon’s push to make the crew a real contender as soon as once more.
RB
We all know that Yuki Tsunoda will race for RB once more in 2025, however Daniel Ricciardo has but to have been confirmed. He has been preventing off critics all 12 months resulting from a poor begin however has since turned it round, posting three high 10 finishes. However, will that be sufficient for him to carry on to his seat? Solely time will inform.
Kick Sauber
One other crew and not using a second driver is Kick Sauber, a crew that can have Nico Hulkenberg be a part of them in 2025. This implies solely one of many present drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, may keep or Kick Sauber may search for a driver elsewhere.
McLaren, Pink Bull, and Aston Martin
For these three groups, their drivers will stay and why not? McLaren has seen unimaginable success with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri this 12 months; Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will stay with the crew as they see no purpose to mess with success; Aston Martin sees no purpose to half with Fernando Alonso and Lance stroll, even giving the latter a brand new deal to remain by way of the 2026 season.
This text appeared in our October 2024 Problem.