F1 2025: This is what the grid looks like now (and who is in the picture?)
General
- Ludo van Denderen
The silly season has started very early this year: even before the 2024 season is underway, the key driver spots for 2025 are already being filled. With Max Verstappen already under contract at Red Bull Racing, Lewis Hamilton announced at Ferrari, Lando Norris committed by McLaren and George Russell in his spot at Mercedes, key seats have been given away. But there are also a lot of question marks. Who is already certain, and who could drive where in 2025? We list it!
The most coveted seat for 2025 is undoubtedly at Red Bull Racing. Max Verstappen is obviously the first driver, Sergio Perez's contract expires after 2024. Team boss Christian Horner has never made it a secret that Daniel Ricciardo is a candidate for Red Bull. Lando Norris - who long seemed in the running for a place with the Austrians - has now been linked to McLaren for an extended period. Carlos Sainz, who is losing his place at Ferrari to Hamilton, could be an option.
Ferrari and McLaren are sorted, Mercedes must search
Ferrari and McLaren have everything sorted. Both teams have their drivers locked in for several years. Mercedes thought they had that too, until recently, but they still have to enter the driver market after Hamilton's upcoming farewell. Will the German team go for a seasoned driver alongside the Briton (Ricciardo, Sainz, Alonso)? Or will the young Andrea Kimi Antonelli (if he earns a super licence) get a chance?
In the midfield and rear, it is all still unclear: there are some very good drivers without a contract.
The Formula 1 grid for 2025
| Team | Driver 1 | Driver 2 | Who is in the picture? |
| Red Bull Racing | Max Verstappen | Unknown | Daniel Ricciardo, Alex Albon, Carlos Sainz |
| Ferrari | Charles Leclerc | Lewis Hamilton | N/A |
| Mercedes | George Russell | Unknown | Daniel Ricciardo, Mick Schumacher, Fernando, Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, Andrea Kimi Antonelli |
| Aston Martin | Unknown | Unknown | Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Felipe Drugovich, Yuki Tsunoda |
| McLaren | Lando Norris | Oscar Piastri | N/A |
| Alpine | Unknown | Unknown | Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly |
| Williams | Unknown | Unknown | Alex Albon, Andrea Kimi Antonelli |
| Stake F1 | Unknown | Unknown | Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu Zhou, Carlos Sainz, Théo Pourchaire |
| Visa Cash App RB | Unknown | Unknown | Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda |
| Haas F1 | Unknown | Unknown | Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg, Oliver Bearman |