The competitive Spanish Grand Prix has barely concluded, but the market for F1 2025 drivers is already heating up once more.
As the F1 circus speeds toward the next race weekend in Austria, seismic shifts in the driver market are capturing all the attention. In a dramatic twist, Alpine has made a late and determined move to pry Carlos Sainz away from Ferrari, reshaping the landscape of potential team line-ups for 2025.
Flavio Briatore, back at Alpine and already stirring the pot, is instrumental in this aggressive pursuit. With Esteban Ocon’s departure confirmed and Pierre Gasly’s future still uncertain, Alpine faces the possibility of needing two new drivers for the upcoming season. This scenario opens the door for Sainz, the most sought-after free agent in the paddock, who is reportedly on the verge of announcing his next career move.
Initially, Sainz’s future seemed to be a straightforward contest between Sauber/Audi and Williams. However, Alpine’s late entry into the fray has significantly complicated matters, introducing a new layer of intrigue to the transfer saga.
Meanwhile, over at Mercedes, the hunt for a 2025 seat occupant continues, but one name is conspicuously absent from their considerations: Max Verstappen. The three-time World Champion, a past target for Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, was once seen as a potential candidate amid early-season uncertainties at Red Bull. Speculation about a possible Verstappen switch to the Silver Arrows was fueled by his availability and Mercedes’ high-stakes strategy for future success.
Despite these rumors, Wolff recently confirmed that there are no ongoing talks with Verstappen. This revelation solidifies that the Dutch superstar will not be the one to fill the coveted seat left by the expected departure of Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes, ever strategic, is keeping their cards close to their chest, opting to delay the announcement of Hamilton’s successor for as long as possible.
These developments have added fresh excitement and unpredictability to the F1 driver market. As the teams maneuver and negotiate behind the scenes, the prospect of Sainz joining Alpine and the ongoing mystery of Mercedes’ next star driver ensure that the run-up to the 2025 season will be as thrilling as the races themselves.
