F1 2025 grid: Uncertainty about Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda futures with second Sauber seat available | F1 News


Just two seats are officially up for grabs on the 2025 F1 grid after a chaotic driver market was turned on its head when Lewis Hamilton announced he would join Ferrari.

Seven driver changes have already been confirmed for next year but there is still uncertainty at Red Bull and RB, plus the second Sauber seat for 2025.

The biggest interest is what Red Bull do with Liam Lawson, who has replaced Daniel Ricciardo for the final six rounds of this season at RB, beginning with the United States Grand Prix on October 18-20 when the F1 season resumes.

Lawson now has the opportunity to impress Red Bull and make a claim to take over from Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen’s team-mate next season.

F1 2025 field

Team Driver Driver
McLaren Lando Norris Oscar Piastri
Red Bull Max Verstappen Sergio Perez
Ferrari Lewis Hamilton Charles Leclerc
Mercedes George Russell Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Aston Martin Fernando Alonso Lance Stroll
RB Yuki Tsunoda ???
Haas Esteban Ocon Oliver Bearman
Williams Alex Albon Carlos Sainz
Alpine Pierre Gasly Jack Doohan
Sauber Nico Hulkenberg ???

Perez, whose Red Bull contract expires at the end of 2025, had a dismal weekend last time out in Singapore, where he was knocked out in Q2 and finished in 10th, as he failed to kick on from his strong performance in Baku.

The Mexican came under big pressure prior to the summer break regarding his future at Red Bull after a poor run of form, but received the backing of team principal Christian Horner to keep his seat for the rest of 2024.

After the Singapore Grand Prix, Horner said: “We need to have two drivers firing on all cylinders. Checo had a good weekend in Baku. He had a tough weekend.

“We need to put some weekends together where you can see… McLaren are putting two drivers on the podium. It’s those big points that really make a difference. We need to make sure Checo is as high up the field as we can get him.”

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We take a look at Daniel Ricciardo’s best bits during his F1 career

Could Lawson replace Perez in 2025?

Lawson does not have a contract for 2025, so has six races to prove he merits the RB seat on a permanent basis in 2025, or even earn a promotion to drive alongside Verstappen at Red Bull.

He substituted for Ricciardo at five race weekends last year when the Australian broke a metacarpal bone in his hand at Zandvoort.

Lawson was largely impressive during his 2023 cameo, scoring points in Singapore and also twice finishing just one position outside the points in 11th.

The 22-year-old has the challenge of a Sprint weekend in his first event back at RB and is also set to be given a 10-grid place penalty for exceeding the engine limit, so will start towards the rear of the field in the Sprint on the Saturday of the United States Grand Prix.

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Rachel Brookes says Ricciardo will be very disappointed he did not reach the performance level to return to Red Bull in the place of Sergio Perez

“Red Bull have said openly that there are still question marks over Checo and he needs to find his form,” said Rachel Brookes on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast.

“They have said he’s got another year on his contract, so he’s there until the end of 2025, but they are looking at that seat.

“Liam knows this isn’t just a seat in Formula 1 right now, this is potentially a Red Bull seat, so for him the pressure must be huge.

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Sky Sports’ Craig Slater believes Ricciardo will not return to F1 in the future and also speculates on whether Lawson driving for RB until the end of the season could open up an opportunity at Red Bull

“We all lauded him when he came in last year and did what he did but now he’s got to live up to that again with the possibility of a Red Bull seat hanging over his head, that’s massive pressure.

“It’s going to be really interesting to see how he deals with it because we were really impressed with how he dealt with everything before, particularly impressed when you hear that he knew he didn’t have the 2024 seat, but he still went out and performed. He never spoke badly about anyone in the team or how he’d been treated.

“We know that he’s got a fantastic head on his shoulders and we know he’s a good driver. If he can put all of that together, potentially he could be in the Red Bull next year. So, for him, it’s a huge opportunity.”

Davidson: Lawson needs to ‘wow’ Red Bull to replace Perez

Sky Sports F1’s Anthony Davidson on Liam Lawson:

“He’s got to take the fight to Yuki. The brief is really simple. He’s just got to beat Yuki Tsunoda and I would say comprehensively.

“He’s got to really wow Red Bull and give him them the confidence they’re looking for to potentially replace Sergio Perez.

“That’s going to take some convincing because Sergio’s stood the test of time so far. He’s a good team-mate for Max. I think Max enjoys having him there and I think he’s a known quantity for Max.

“You don’t want somebody coming in there rocking the establishment in that regard as well, so it’s a delicate process that Red Bull are going through here.

“So the brief for Lawson is simple. You come in, carry him where you left off.

“Beat Yuki Tsunoda hands down – outqualify him, outrace him, score lot of points, do things in that car that we are not expecting, that Red Bull aren’t expecting, that even RB aren’t expecting, and let’s create some headlines, you’re in. It’s as simple as that. If you don’t perform, Sergio carries on.”

Is Tsunoda being overlooked?

The five events Lawson and Tsunoda spent as team-mates together last year were close, but the New Zealander’s ability to jump in the car and be quick caught plenty of attention.

Tsunoda made his F1 debut in 2021 but has never been seen as a serious contender to become Verstappen’s team-mate.

RB announced in June that he would stay with the team for 2025, underlining Red Bull’s lack of belief to promote the Japanese driver.

However, if he beats Lawson in the last six races this year and Perez struggles, Tsunoda may have his best chance yet to step up to Red Bull.

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In July, Yuki Tsunoda said he was ready to step up to the Red Bull team and challenge Max Verstappen

“Yuki has upped his game since he first drove in F1. He’s the finished article now I think,” said Sky Sports’ Anthony Davidson.

“I’m not sure it’s that easy for anyone to come in and beat Tsunoda. How does he feel about all of this? He’s been overlooked every single time.

“These young drivers come in, whether it’s Lawson, or Ricciardo comes back as an older experienced driver, Nyck de Vries has a go up against him as well, and Yuki keeps beating them every single time. It can’t just be a coincidence.

“Poor old Yuki is being overlooked here. Why isn’t he given the chance? Why aren’t we hearing about Yuki’s chance to replace Sergio Perez? Would he do a better job if he was put into the Red Bull?

“He’s a feisty driver. I can’t imagine he would be mentally destroyed by Max Verstappen if he finished second to him every single time, or, 10 or 15 seconds down the road. He’s a resilient character.”

Who will get the final Sauber seat?

Nico Hulkenberg has already been announced as a Sauber driver for next year, so at least one of Valtteri Bottas or Zhou Guanyu will lose their seat.

Hulkenberg will depart Haas after this season, with the American outfit changing their driver pairing completely as Esteban Ocon joins from Alpine and British teenager Oliver Bearman makes his full-time F1 debut, so Kevin Magnussen is set to leave the sport.

Magnussen is not a contender for the Sauber seat as Bottas, Zhou, Williams driver Franco Colapinto and F2 star Gabriel Bortoleto are the candidates.

Bottas feels he is driving better than he did at Mercedes, where he was Hamilton’s team-mate for five seasons, but has not had the car to showcase his performances.

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Valtteri Bottas says he prides himself on being himself and having fun through the pressures of Formula 1, pointing to a change in approach

The Finn has stated he wants a multi-year deal as Sauber will be taken over by Audi from 2026, when the new F1 regulations are introduced.

Zhou is ahead of Bottas in the Drivers’ Championship due to a better highest finishing position, with both drivers yet to score points this year.

The Chinese driver brings the marketing factor of being the first F1 driver from China, which is a big market in the car and motorsport industry.

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New Williams driver Franco Colapinto answers some quickfire questions with Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz

As for Colapinto, he has surprised many with his impressive performances after replacing Logan Sargeant last month as he finished eighth in Baku and pushed team-mate Alex Albon close on pure pace.

Carlos Sainz will join Williams from Ferrari at the end of this year, but Argentine driver Colapinto has certainly raised some eyebrows at Sauber.

Reigning F3 champion Bortoleto is leading the F2 championship in his rookie season and is one of the most exciting young talents coming through the junior ranks.

Bortoleto, 19 from Brazil, has been part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme since 2023 and is part of Fernando Alonso’s driver management company.

September 12, 2024, Baku, Azerbaijan: Formula 2 Brazilian driver GABRIEL BORTOLETO (Invicta Racing) is seen during preparations of the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship event at Baku City Circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Brazilian is rumoured to join Formula 1 in 2025. (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)
Image:
Gabriel Bortoleto is leading the F2 championship

“He’s an incredible talent and a very humble person as well, which I think that’s the biggest thing that we need to work on,” said Alonso.

“He’s a hard worker, apart from his talent, and I think that’s why in Formula 3 and Formula 2 he had this much progress. I think also he’s someone that is taking things very seriously as well, which at that age is never a guarantee.

“He won the championship as a rookie in Formula 3, and he’s fighting for the championship as a rookie in Formula 2, but without the test of many other rookies. So he’s probably the only rookie on the championship.

“So this was an amazing achievement so far. And let’s see what the future brings. But, you know, it’s a matter of time that he gets to F1.”

Just six races remain in Formula 1 2024 and the season resumes with the United States Grand Prix in Austin from October 18-20, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime