Before the 2024 F1 season started, seven-time World Drivers' Champion Lewis Hamilton driver surprised the racing world when he announced he would leave Mercedes-AMG to drive for Ferrari at the end of the season. Throughout the year, there have been announcements about drivers changing teams, leaving teams and possibly F1 altogether, and new drivers joining teams.
F1 is often called the pinnacle of motorsports. Because there are only ten teams and 20 drivers, the competition is fierce and changes are common. The following information is current today but could change tomorrow. We'll keep it updated as changes occur.
Drivers shuffling between F1 teams can be the driver's choice, but occasionally, a team will trade or loan a driver to another team. Here are the changes for the 2025 season so far.
From: Mercedes To: Ferrari
A seven-time World Champion, Hamilton's move to Ferrari surprised Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff and nearly everyone else in F1 except Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur, who worked with Hamilton in his early days. Hamilton is 39, and moving to Ferrari fulfills an early dream. It also suggests that he thinks he has a better chance of winning his eighth championship with Ferrari than Mercedes. If he wins an eighth Championship, he will be the first to win more than seven times. The only other driver to take the crown seven times is Michael Schumacher.
From: Ferrari To: Williams
Carlos Sainz was Charles Leclerc's teammate driving for Ferrari. When Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari, Sainz's role as the second driver was over. Next year he'll drive for Williams.
Some drivers left teams without a contract to drive for another team.
From: RB Honda To: ??
The Red Bull organization has admitted publically they didn't give Daniel Ricciardo a good send-off when they replaced him with Liam Lawson in mid-season. Red Bull brought Daniel back to drive with Yuki Tsunoda on the RB Honda "second team." Ricciardo has won Grand Prix, has excellent overtaking skills, and has an irrepressible good humor that endears him to all of F1, including the fans. It seems unlikely he won't return to F1 in some role in 2025 or 2026.
From: Haas To: ??
Kevin Magnussen leaves Hass with no contract from another team. Perhaps he will retire as an F1 driver for another role in motorsports.
From: Kick Sauber To: ??
After driving for several seasons for Kick Sauber, Zhou Guanyu has no F1 driver contract for 2025.
From Kick Sauber To: ??
Veteran F1 driver Valtteri Bottas leaves Kick Sauber after the 2024 season. There's no word yet on another seat or role in F1 in the future.
Team: RB Honda
Liam Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo partway through the 2024 season. At this point, Lawson appears to still have a chance to get the seat for the 2025 season.
Team: ??
Franco Colapinto drove for Willams for the second half of 2024 but does not yet have a seat for 2025.
Team: Mercedes
Antonelli takes over Hamilton's spot driving for Mercedes. Those are big shoes to fill, but Team Principal Toto Wolff believes he may be one of the greats.
Current team: Red Bull
After a strong start in the 2024 season, Sergio Perez signed a two-season contract extension with Red Bull in early June. Since then, however, he and Red Bull have been disappointed in his performance. No change has been announced, but no one will be shocked if it happens. He could stay with the Red Bull organization, perhaps driving for RB or in some other capacity, but his continued role as Max Verstappen's #2 is questionable.
Drivers: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
McLaren won the 2024 Constructors' Championship. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Drivers: Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
The team for 2024 may still be the team for 2025, but it's questionable.
Drivers: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll
Veteran driver and a two-time World Champion, Alonso has stated that, while this might be his last contract. He thinks Aston Martin is on a path to be more successful.
Drivers: Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson
The second Red Bull team may also stay intact for 2025. However, if Perez loses his seat for Red Bull, the two RB drivers are the top candidates.