F1 Silly Season is a never-ending time in motorsport. It can even begin before the season starts, the biggest example being Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari almost exactly a year ago. The seven-time world champion continued to drive for Mercedes for the 2024 season but his future was sealed before pre-season testing began.
While this isn’t always the case, drivers who are most likely to move teams or drop out of the sport are often out of contract. Any compensation would be less expensive and those drivers will be looking to secure their future in the pinnacle of motorsport, moving team if necessary. Six drivers will see their contracts expire in 2025, with a further 11 expiring in 2026, some look more likely to stay in F1 than others but several teams could be facing a new lineup for next year’s regulation change.
Liam Lawson
Red Bull’s latest attempt to find a competitive partner for Max Verstappen is New Zealand’s Liam Lawson. The 23-year-old is promoted to the senior Red Bull team after two seasons as Daniel Ricciardo's replacement, driving while the Australian was injured and when his performances led him to be dropped from Visa Cash App RB.
Many fans disagreed with the decision to promote Lawson over Tsunoda, the Kiwi will face pressure from the outset. He has just one season to impress Christian Horner and Helmut Marko at Red Bull, before a critical season in 2026 after the regulation change. Poor performances could see Lawson dropped to the sister team or even lose his place in F1 altogether.
Yuki Tsunoda
The other candidate for the Red Bull seat was Yuki Tsunoda. Despite his experience in Formula One, both as a team leader and as an understudy to Pierre Gasly. The Japanese driver faces an uncertain future, potentially away from the Red Bull family if he wants a chance to win a championship.
In 2023, Aston Martin confirmed that Honda would supply their engines for the 2026 season and for years to come. The Japanese company typically likes a driver from the same nation to represent them in Formula One, even if they are just an engine supplier.
Tsunoda originally came into F1 due to his relations with Honda and his ongoing support from Honda could see him move to Aston Martin next season. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll both have contracts that expire in 2026 but reports have suggested Stroll could move away from F1. His father and owner of Aston Martin, Lawrence Stroll, could move his son into the World Endurance Championship. An F1 seat will be available for Tsunoda to fill, perhaps fighting for the championship in an Adrian Newey-designed car.
Isack Hadjar
Another member of the Red Bull family, Hadjar joins Formula One as Liam Lawson’s replacement at Visa Cash App RB. The Formula Two runner-up has only signed a one-year deal at Red Bull’s junior team. The French driver will have to impress from the outset if he is to keep his seat in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Hadjar’s contract in F1 wasn’t confirmed until the end of 2024, with rumours stating that Colapinto was a serious consideration for the seat. A one-year deal means there is little risk for Red Bull as an organisation and could see Hadjar replaced at the end of the season, if not before.
George Russell
George Russell has been in F1 for several years now and will likely remain at the British/German team for many years to come but his future is not definite just yet. The departure of Lewis Hamilton has seen Russell become the team leader, with Kimi Antonelli as his understudy. The British driver was a leader at Williams, alongside Nicholas Latifi, but leading a team at the front of the grid could pose a different challenge.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli could be Mercedes’ answer to Max Verstappen, not many drivers have been held in such a high regard before they make their F1 debut. He makes the step up to F1 in an under-performing Mercedes team, potentially the perfect opportunity for Antonelli to settle into Formula One.
A one-year deal appears to be an interesting decision for Mercedes but with the 2026 regulation change, it provides safety if Antonelli isn’t ready to fight for the championship. Perhaps if the Italian underperforms, he may be demoted to Williams or sign another short-term contract to determine if he’s ready for Formula One.
Jack Doohan
The length of Jack Doohan’s contract is unknown but several reports have suggested it is just five races at Alpine. Doohan will have just the beginning of the season to prove himself while having the pressure of Paul Aron and Franco Colapinto as reserve drivers. Colapinto signed a five-year contract at Alpine after impressing at Williams for half of the 2024 season.
While it is possible Alpine just signed Colapinto due to his reputation in South America, it is more likely that the Argentinian will replace Doohan mid-season. Many fans were surprised he didn’t secure a full-time contract for 2025 but this could be the easiest way back into Formula One.