Formula 1 News: The 2025 Driver Market Hinges on Sainz’s Decision Amidst Verstappen’s Uncertainty
As the Formula 1 calendar enters its busiest stretch yet, with five races in six weeks until the summer break, the 2025 driver market is expected to witness significant developments. The silence at Mercedes is not a cause for concern, as the team has time on its side and youngster Andrea Kimi Antonelli is likely to take the seat if all goes according to plan.
However, Toto Wolff is keeping the door open for Max Verstappen, who has not yet made a final decision on leaving Christian Horner and Red Bull Racing. The Dutchman’s decision, which will be made in conjunction with Helmut Marko, could be made towards the end of the season.
Verstappen’s decision largely depends on Mercedes’s competitiveness, as it wouldn’t make sense for him to leave a winning car and jeopardize his championship chances. With the Silver Arrows making significant improvements to their W14, Verstappen can now assess their form development over the summer.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz is currently the “cork in the bottle,” as Kevin Magnussen described it. The Spanish driver is yet to sign a 2025 deal, with offers from Williams and Sauber/Audi on the table. His decision will have a ripple effect on the driver market, impacting drivers vying for open seats at Williams, Sauber/Audi, Alpine, and Haas.
“It’s almost impossible to predict who is going to be performing in 2026. And so then ’25 becomes also important. It’s trying to understand the power unit side. It’s trying to understand the team dynamics. All these factors come into play when taking a decision.”
- Carlos Sainz
Sainz promises to make a decision soon, citing the need to focus on his racing rather than being distracted by contract talks.
Audi’s shortlist, should it miss out on Sainz, includes Valtteri Bottas, Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson, and Esteban Ocon. The latter is also of interest to Haas, alongside Oliver Bearman. Alpine, on the other hand, is considering former academy driver Zhou Guanyu, junior driver Jack Doohan, and other candidates.
Expect a lot of these storylines to reach their conclusion in the coming weeks, as soon as Sainz makes his decision. The Formula 1 standings could look very different come the end of the season, and the driver market will likely be shaken up in the process.
🔗 Source