A year of changes
The confirmation of Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls completed the official entry list for the next championship, packed with rookies and team switches. Including all these market moves, a total of ten drivers will either make their debut in the Circus or leave one team to start a new chapter of their careers elsewhere. In fact, excluding the Constructors’ Champion McLaren and Aston Martin, all other participating teams have changed at least one driver, with some even overhauling their entire line-up.
The top teams
Analyzing the top five teams from last season (in addition to the already mentioned McLaren and Aston Martin), Ferrari stands out with Lewis Hamilton joining from Mercedes to replace Carlos Sainz, who is moving to Williams. The seat left vacant by the seven-time world champion at the Brackley team will be filled by young Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli, while George Russell retains his seat. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen remains at Red Bull, but he will now be partnered with Liam Lawson, arriving from Racing Bulls. The New Zealander replaces Sergio Perez, who will not participate in the next championship.
The second half of the grid
From 6th place downward, the first change is at Alpine, which retains Pierre Gasly but sees Esteban Ocon replaced by Jack Doohan, who debuted in Abu Dhabi and is set to start the 2025 season with Haas. At Haas, Doohan will join Oliver Bearman, as the American team replaces both Kevin Magnussen (out of the entry list) and Nico Hülkenberg, who moves to Sauber. The German driver will share the garage with F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, replacing the outgoing Valtteri Bottas (returning to Mercedes as a reserve driver) and Zhou Guanyu, who also loses his seat for 2025. At Racing Bulls, Yuki Tsunoda stays, with Isack Hadjar completing the line-up after Lawson’s departure. Finally, at Williams, the aforementioned Sainz will team up with Alex Albon, as Franco Colapinto ends his stint that began in the latter part of the season. These are all the moves, summarized by a grid that truly causes confusion.
Jan 3, 2025Maria Lombardi
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