It was a quick decision from the the two-time world champion, who may have been under pressure to sign or risk losing the seat, given the quality of drivers yet to confirm a seat for 2025. At the team’s 2024 car launch, Alonso indicated that he was unsure of his future: “First I have to decide if I want to keep racing. Then I’ll talk to Aston. But if those things don’t succeed, I’ll look at what is available.”
On the other side of the garage, Lance Stroll’s performances last year did little to help Aston towards a top four finish in the constructors’ standings, with an average finishing position of 12th and not a single podium position scored. But his position with the team is set to go unchallenged for the foreseeable future, as he has signed another multi-year extension – perhaps after negotiating with his father Lawrence, who remains in control of the outfit as its executive chairman and owner – which will keep him with the Silverstone outfit for 2025 and beyond.
Meanwhile former F2 champion and budding talent Felipe Drugovich is languishing on the sidelines in a reserve driver role.
Alpine 2025 F1 driver line-up
 |  | |
| Pierre Gasly Multi-year contract beyond 2025 | Jack Doohan 2025 |
• Gasly extends his current contract
• Doohan promoted from reserve driver role to replace Ocon from 2025
Alpine underwent major upheaval in 2023 with the majority of its high-end staff – including team principal Otmar Szafnauer, sporting director Alan Permane, chief technical officer Pat Fry and director of racing expansion projects Davide Brivio – cast aside or replaced. Its current driver line-up were thought to be next out of the door, and while Esteban Ocon has agreed to mutually part ways with the team — a race early after the Qatar Grand Prix — the extension of Pierre Gasly’s contract could bring some much needed stability to the Enstone outfit.
2023 was a difficult season for the French pairing. Despite podium visits in Monaco and Zandvoort, neither driver was able to find any consistency from the troublesome A523. This ultimately led to a disappointing sixth place finish in the constructors’ standings. The start of 2024 has promised little better, and then came the Monaco Grand Prix where both collided after Ocon aggressively tried to overtake Gasly.
A week later came the announcement that Ocon will not be driving for Alpine next season, and he has subsequently signed for Haas. Alpine was quick to secure at least half of their current line-up amid rumours that Gasly was eyeing up a move elsewhere. Has the controversial return of Flavio Briatore convinced the one-time race winner that better performance is on the horizon?
After missing out on Carlos Sainz, the promotion of Alpine junior Jack Doohan – who previously served as the team’s reserve driver – could indicate that Enstone is finally invested in its future rather than short-term results. The Aussie had an impressive junior career, which included a second-place finish in the 2021 FIA Formula 3 Championship as well as three key race victories during his third season in F2 last year. He has also completed several tests over the course of 2024, which seemingly caught the eye of new Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes.
“Personally, I have worked with Jack back in 2019 and I am fully aware of his raw talent and potential,” he said. “He is a very hard worker behind the scenes and his commitment is hugely valued by the entire team.”
However, the situation may not be as settled as it seems: Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s ‘executive advisor’ is thought to have sounded out Franco Colapinto for a role. It has been suggested that this may entail him taking the rookie’s race seat. Doohan will make his F1 race debut for Alpine at this year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; his performance could be critical in deciding who actually drives for the team next year.
Williams 2025 F1 driver line-up
 |  | |
| Alex Albon Multi-year contract beyond 2025 | Carlos Sainz Multi-year contract beyond 2025 |
• Alex Albon extends Williams contract with multi-year deal
• Carlos Sainz will join Williams in 2025 on multi-year deal
Williams showed the first signs of a resurgence in 2023, in no small part thanks to the efforts of Alex Albon. He scored all but one of the team’s 27 points which led to its best finish in the constructors’ standings since 2017.
Now it looks as if he will be with the team for the long-term after signing a “multi-year” deal. His contract had been due to run to the end of 2025, but Albon had been linked to an early move — with Red Bull apparently considering offering a contract for 2026 — or buying him out of his current deal to secure his talents for 2025.
“I’m fully committed to the team until my contract pretty much ends,” Albon told Sports Illustrated. “But I am also 27. Although I’m not young, I’m also not old. And I do feel like I am in a good part of my career. If you take another year I’m 28, then 29 going onto 30 soon. I want to give myself the chance to be able to fight for wins and fight for podiums. And what it comes down to is, at that time and in that time, can we bring this team to be that team?”
That potential also looks to have enticed Carlos Sainz to sign for the team. He will join from Ferrari in 2025. The Spaniard had long been tipped for a Williams seat after team principal James Vowles publicly stated that he was pursuing the two-time race winner for a seat next year.
