The 2024 season has just ended, and the next one is already in preparation. The end-of-season tests are now closed, as is the transfer period. With the signing of French driver Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls, all the teams have found their two drivers for the coming season. The grid is therefore completely renewed.
Five new young pilots, including a Frenchman
New faces will appear in the paddock in 2025. In the teams at the bottom of the table, but also within prestigious teams. To take the wheel left vacant by Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes will trust Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian, aged only 18, will be the youngest of the season. Alpine is also banking on youth with the recruitment of Jack Doohan to replace Esteban Ocon. The Australian, reserve driver last season, had the opportunity to compete in his first race with the French team during the last Grand Prix of the 2024 season (15th).
Sauber, for its part, is banking on Formula 2 champion, Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto. The 20-year-old driver had beaten Isack Hadjar in the F1 lobby. The Frenchman finished the season in second place, a frustrating performance for the Campos driver, who will still drive for Racing Bulls in 2025. The fifth new driver is Oliver Bearman, the Briton will race for Haas next season alongside ‘Ocon.
Lewis Hamiton arrives at Ferrari, Carlos Sainz arrives
The most notable transfer is that of Lewis Hamilton. Announced at the start of 2024, the driver with seven world titles is leaving Mercedes after twelve seasons with the German manufacturer. Without a title since 2020, the British driver wishes “take this step and take on a new challenge” with Scuderia Ferrari. His arrival caused the departure of Carlos Sainz, who returned to Williams.
To support Max Verstappen, Red Bull opted for Liam Lawson. At 22, the former Racing Bulls driver only has 11 Grands Prix to his name. Sidelined by Alpine, Esteban Ocon is heading towards new horizons at Haas, seventh in the constructors’ world championship. He digitally replaces Nico Hülkenberg, who left for Sauber.
Sergio Pérez without steering wheel, Valtteri Bottas as reserve driver
Some pilots paid the price for these numerous movements. The departure of Mexican Sergio Pérez has been confirmed after four seasons at Red Bull. He finds himself without a steering wheel, just like Daniel Ricciardo and Logan Sargeant, both of whom arrived during the season. Guanyu Zhou’s contract was not extended at the end of the season.
Driver at Sauber, where he had been playing for three years, Finnish Valtteri Bottas, whose contract was not renewed, will become reserve driver at Mercedes in 2025. He thus returns to his former team, where he won 10 victories ( in 2017 and 2021). Kevin Magnussen, meanwhile, is leaving F1 to become a factory driver for BMW M Motorsport in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2025.
