The Formula 1 driver market is a complex puzzle with many pieces still in play. Some big decisions have been made, like Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari and Fernando Alonso staying with Aston Martin. But there’s still a lot to figure out.
What’s interesting is that not everyone is in a rush to make decisions. Teams like Mercedes and Red Bull are taking their time to see what options are available for 2025. Red Bull is waiting to decide who will partner with Max Verstappen, while Mercedes is considering Andrea Kimi Antonelli to replace Hamilton.
There’s also a small chance that Verstappen could become available, which would be a big opportunity for Mercedes. They’re keeping their options open and not committing to anyone just yet.
But not all teams are waiting. Audi, which owns the Sauber team, wants decisions soon on the offers it’s made to drivers like Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg. They’ve made it clear that if decisions aren’t made by May, they’ll look elsewhere.
This puts drivers like Sainz in a tough spot. Should he take Audi’s offer now, or wait for a potential seat at Red Bull or Mercedes? It’s a high-stakes decision that could determine their future in the sport.
As Formula 1 prepares for its 2026 rules reset, these decisions are more important than ever. Drivers know that what they do now could shape their careers for years to come.
