Source – Planetf1.com
In the years to come, who drivers will follow former Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo out the exit door after Formula One bid him a warm farewell in Singapore?
As the F1 grid heads towards 2025, the looming question is not just about which young stars will rise, but also which seasoned drivers might be nearing the end of their careers. With drivers like Zhou Guanyu and Kevin Magnussen almost certain to be left without seats for next season, the focus now shifts to others, like Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso, who could be the next veterans to bid farewell to Formula 1.
Sergio Perez: The End of the Road?
Sergio Perez has become somewhat of a mainstay in the F1 paddock, a driver who has proven his worth over the years and earned his place in one of the sport’s top teams. However, his future at Red Bull is looking increasingly precarious. Rumors have swirled around Perez’s seat for much of 2024, with speculation reaching a fever pitch after the Belgian Grand Prix. It was here that whispers emerged about a possible contract clause allowing Red Bull to replace him during the summer break.
Perez managed to hang on, but with a staggering 187-point deficit to teammate Max Verstappen and performance clauses rumored to be embedded in his revised contract, the Mexican’s position looks more vulnerable than ever. Red Bull is notorious for being ruthless with underperforming drivers, and Perez’s struggles this season have only fueled the belief that his time may be running out.
The team’s reluctance to confirm Liam Lawson for the 2025 season has only added to the speculation. Lawson, currently filling in for Daniel Ricciardo, could yet prove to be a viable alternative for Perez if he delivers a strong end to the season. For Perez, retirement might not be his decision to make, as Red Bull could soon make the call for him.
Yuki Tsunoda: On Borrowed Time?
For Yuki Tsunoda, the 2024 season has undoubtedly been his best to date. The Japanese driver has shown moments of brilliance and consistency that many doubted he had. Yet, despite these flashes of talent, Tsunoda’s future in F1 might already be sealed—and not in a good way.
The elephant in the room is Red Bull’s engine partnership with Honda, which is set to end after the 2025 season. Tsunoda’s presence in the Red Bull setup has been largely influenced by the Honda connection, and once that tie is cut, his seat could be in serious jeopardy. Aston Martin’s rumored link with Honda initially seemed like a lifeline for Tsunoda, but the presence of veteran Fernando Alonso and team owner’s son Lance Stroll complicates matters.
Stroll Sr. has shown a preference for experienced champions, and Tsunoda, despite his improvements, doesn’t fit the mold. Unless another midfield team like Audi, Haas, or Alpine comes calling, Tsunoda’s long-term prospects in Formula 1 might be limited to a reserve driver role.
Valtteri Bottas: Racing Against Time
Valtteri Bottas has often been the forgotten man of Formula 1. Once a title challenger with Mercedes, he now finds himself in a mid-pack Sauber car, fighting for scraps. Interestingly, Bottas himself believes he’s a better driver now than he was in his race-winning days. His 17-1 qualifying record over Zhou Guanyu in 2024 certainly backs that up. Yet, the narrative surrounding Bottas has shifted.
To many, he is seen as a driver past his prime, someone content to cruise through the final years of his F1 career without making waves. Even though reports suggest he has signed a one-year contract extension with Sauber for 2025, it’s likely a short-term fix rather than a long-term commitment. With Audi poised to take over the team in 2026, they will be searching for younger, fresher talent, and Bottas could find himself ousted before the new era begins.
It’s entirely possible that Bottas could be shadowed by a young reserve driver—perhaps someone like Liam Lawson—who would be waiting in the wings, ready to step in at the first sign of underperformance. For Bottas, 2025 could be a make-or-break year.
Jack Doohan: The New Kid with Big Shoes to Fill
Alpine’s decision to promote Jack Doohan to a full-time seat for 2025 raised a few eyebrows. It wasn’t that Doohan hadn’t earned his chance—he had—but rather that Alpine’s leadership, particularly Flavio Briatore, seemed indifferent to his arrival. Briatore’s claim that it “makes no difference” who Pierre Gasly’s teammate is reflects the real issue at Alpine: the car’s lack of competitiveness.
For Doohan, this is both a blessing and a curse. With Alpine likely to be battling in the midfield once again, the pressure on him to deliver immediate results will be relatively low. However, as the team looks to improve, especially with a Mercedes customer engine deal on the horizon for 2026, the second seat alongside Gasly will become highly coveted.
If Doohan fails to match Gasly’s pace or demonstrate significant progress, Alpine won’t hesitate to look elsewhere for F1 2026. The Australian’s F1 future could be determined by how he fares in his debut season, as bigger names will be watching closely, ready to pounce on any opportunity to claim a seat in a potentially resurgent Alpine team.
Fernando Alonso: Will He Stay Long Enough for One Last Title?
Source – Yawclub
Fernando Alonso has always been one of the most intriguing characters in Formula 1. Known for his relentless pursuit of that elusive third world title, Alonso is now at Aston Martin, a team that could very well be his last chance at glory. With Adrian Newey set to join Aston Martin in 2026, Alonso finally has the technical mastermind he’s long admired in his corner.
The question now is whether Alonso will stick around long enough to benefit from Newey’s genius. At 45, he would be the oldest driver on the grid in 2026, a remarkable feat in modern F1. Yet, history has shown that teams can be ruthless when it comes to aging stars. Alonso has already been pushed aside once at Alpine to make room for Oscar Piastri, and while Aston Martin currently seems committed to him, the allure of signing a driver like Max Verstappen—should he become available—could be too tempting to pass up.
Lawrence Stroll, who was instrumental in bringing Newey on board, has shown he’s willing to make bold moves to push Aston Martin to the front of the grid. If a better option presents itself, Alonso could find himself on the outside looking in, much like Michael Schumacher did when Mercedes replaced him with Lewis Hamilton in 2012.
Conclusion: Who’s Next to Leave?
As F1 prepares for its next era with sweeping regulation changes in 2026, the drivers currently on the grid will have to prove they still have what it takes. Veterans like Perez, Alonso, Bottas, and Tsunoda are all facing uncertain futures, with younger talents knocking at the door. The 2025 season could be the final chapter for some of these established names, making the battle for survival in Formula 1 as intense as ever.
