Bortoleto, Hadjar and others: What the F2 drivers will (possibly) do in '25

1. Gabriel Bortoleto
He became the champion in Formula 3 as a rookie, and chances are he will also win the title in Formula 2 as a newbie. Gabriel Bortoleto has the backing of Brazil and looks set for a bright future in Formula 1. Currently, the 19-year-old Bortoleto is part of McLaren's training programme, and they have no place for him in Formula 1 for the next few years (in principle).

It is no secret that the Brazilian has been in talks with Sauber (who will become Audi) about a spot on the 2025 F1 grid. It looks like the youngster will fall short of that after all, as Valtteri Bottas has nearly completed a contract extension. Sauber would like to sign Bortoleto as a test and reserve driver. It remains to be seen whether McLaren will let a future star leave.

2. Isack Hadjar
Isack Hadjar should be the next Red Bull Junior Team driver to be given a chance in Formula 1 from Formula 2. The French-Algerian driver will likely become the regular test and reserve driver at Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB in 2025. But certainly don't rule out him being on the F1 grid as early as 2025. If Liam Lawson fails to convince at VCARB - as Daniel Ricciardo's expected replacement - in the coming months, Hadjar could be an option for the Italian team.

3. Zane Maloney
A few weeks ago in Monza, Zane Maloney said that his dream was to drive in Formula 1, and his full focus was on that. It is now clear that the Barbados-based driver will race in Formula E for the new Lola Yamaha team next season. With the first race in FE coinciding with the concluding races in F2 (in Abu Dhabi), it is clear that Maloney will not finish the season in the step-up class. His current Rodin team does not know whether the youngster will drive in Qatar. Sauber - where Maloney is currently under contract as a test and reserve driver - informs that nothing has changed in the relationship with the team. In other words, at least for now, he is attached to Sauber alongside his work in the FE.

4. Paul Aron
Once upon a time, Paul Aron belonged to Mercedes' training team. That relationship ended in November 2023, and he has not been linked to an F1 team since. That immediately makes it a lot harder for the Estonian to advance to the top class. His brother, who is acting as his manager, is nevertheless looking for a chance in Formula 1. No one will be surprised if Aron - only in his first full season in F2 - stays in this class for another season. A reserve role with a Formula E team is an obvious choice. As a substitute, he drove one E-Prix this year on behalf of Envision Racing.

5. Jak Crawford
Jak Crawford is in the Aston Martin Development Programme, but a seat on the F1 team is definitely not on the cards in 2025. Perhaps he will stay on in a support role. A reserve role in Formula E is also a possibility. In the electric class, he drove the rookie test in an Andretti car earlier this year. As an American, it would not be surprising if that team somehow kept Crawford there. Otherwise, his future is uncertain.

6. Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Before Kimi Antonelli had driven one meter in the current F2 season, his future seemed fairly certain. After Lewis Hamilton had already indicated before the season that he would switch to Ferrari in '25, it was soon clear that the young Italian was the leading candidate to succeed him at Mercedes in 2025. After a prolonged flirtation with Max Verstappen came to nothing, the German racing team did end up with the driver from their own ranks. In '25, he will be George Russell's teammate.

7. Franco Colapinto
Meanwhile, Franco Colapinto already has three Grands Prix to his name, but there is a good chance he will return to the sidelines in '25. There is no place for him at Williams apart from a likely reserve driver role. MP Motorsport - the F2 team for which Colapinto drove before his promotion to F1 - is in talks with Williams to re-contract him for '25. But is the Argentine up for that, having tasted the big time?

8. Victor Martins
For years, Victor Martins was seen as a future F1 driver, but after a difficult F2 season, his name has slipped off the radar. Perhaps he will stay on as Alpine's test and reserve driver. The French team probably also has a place for him in the Alpine team in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

9. Dennis Hauger
Dennis Hauger was also very promising once. Unfortunately, the Norwegian never fully lived up to it. After the current season, Hauger will retire from MP Motorsport and Formula 2. He was active there for three years. The Norwegian looks set to continue his career in the WEC.

10. Richard Verschoor
Richard Verschoor makes no secret of it: The current Formula 2 season is his last unless an offer comes along that the Dutchman simply cannot refuse. As a next step, Verschoor has his sights set on America, where he hopes for a place in IndyCar. Much depends on whether his sponsors see fit to buy him into one of the teams in the United States.

This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton