Exactly half of the drivers on the Formula 1 grid have joined new teams for 2025. Some will be revitalised by their moves, while others may regret them quickly.
Red Bull were the last team to confirm their line-ups, having reached a separation agreement with Sergio Perez. Liam Lawson graduates from Racing Bulls to partner Max Verstappen, and Isack Hadjar fills the vacancy next to Yuki Tsunoda.
McLaren are the only team in F1’s top four to retain the same partnership. Ferrari lit the market fuse by signing Lewis Hamilton, and Mercedes replaced him with rookie Kimi Antonelli.
| Driver | 2024 Team | 2025 Team |
| Jack Doohan | N/A (Alpine reserve driver) | Alpine |
| Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Ferrari |
| Esteban Ocon | Alpine | Haas |
| Oliver Bearman | N/A (Ferrari reserve driver) | Haas |
| Isack Hadjar | N/A (Red Bull reserve driver) | Racing Bulls |
| Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | Red Bull |
| Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | Sauber |
| Gabriel Bortoleto | N/A (McLaren development driver) | Sauber |
| Kimi Antonelli | N/A (Mercedes development driver) | Mercedes |
| Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | Williams |
In the midfield, Aston Martin are the exception to the pattern of change. Jack Doohan gets a shot at Alpine following the departure of Esteban Ocon, who partners 2024 stand-in star Oliver Bearman at a revamped Haas.
Williams were the big winner of the driver market, snapping up Carlos Sainz after he unexpectedly became a free agent. Sauber’s miserable season may have led them towards a refresh, with the experienced Nico Hulkenberg complementing youthful F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto.
The contrast to the 2023 market could not be sharper. Every driver retained their seat 12 months ago, and there were no rookies on the grid for the first time ever.
David Coulthard says ‘Superman’ Lewis Hamilton could banish Ferrari concerns in 2025
Speaking on Viaplay’s F1 Talks 2024, an end-of-season review show, David Coulthard suggested Ferrari ‘have to be a little bit worried’ about Hamilton. The 39-year-old is the most successful driver in the sport’s history, but he’s coming off his poorest season yet.
He finished 22 points behind Mercedes teammate George Russell, a disappointing but respectable margin. The bigger concern was his qualifying form as he lost out to his compatriot in 19 out of 24 sessions.
He was generally able to claw back some of the lost ground in the races, but Ferrari may need him to be the complete package if they’re to end their constructors’ title drought. They haven’t lifted the trophy since 2008.
Russell says Hamilton needs a fresh start, and Coulthard is inclined to agree. He says it’s not hard to imagine Hamilton looking like ‘Superman’ when he dons the red suit this year.
“The stopwatch doesn’t lie and at the moment it’s just not delivering in terms of lap times,” he said. “So they have to be a little bit worried, but sometimes change is good.
“Maybe Hamilton moving to Ferrari, putting on that red suit, will be like Superman putting on his suit. But it’s going to be an exciting time anyway.”
Lewis Hamilton has finally issued his first statement as a Ferrari driver
Hamilton has told Fred Vasseur why he struggled in qualifying, which may help to ease any private fears for the Frenchman. Perhaps it was simply down to the notoriously unpredictable handling of the Mercedes.
Vasseur managed Hamilton in the junior categories, and that pre-existing relationship could be key. He already has a detailed picture of how to extract the best from the Englishman.
He’s only become a Ferrari driver in the past few days, having spent the final weeks of 2024 carrying out a farewell tour for Mercedes. He didn’t drive for his new team in the post-season test.
But Hamilton sent a message to Ferrari fans on social media on Thursday evening, formally marking the start of his new chapter. His first public appearance is likely to come at the F1 75 launch in London on 18 February.
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