My predictions for the 2025/26 grid line-up
Kimi Antonelli
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a 17-year-old Formula 2 driver. He is in the Prema team and is a Mercedes Jr driver. Kimi previously won four single-seater championships in two years, winning all the series. Due to his evident skill, young age and the fact he bypassed F3 for his current seat, many are already calling Antonelli the 'next Verstappen'. Toto Wolff himself has already made it evident that he intends on having Antonelli in F1. Yet, as a Mercedes Jr, he only really has two options; Mercedes or Williams. Come 2025, there will be a free seat in both teams, as Lewis Hamilton is moving to Ferrari and Logan Sargeant is yet to sign a contract extension for Williams. As is often in motorsport, if you underperform, you're out (I say often as there are times when drivers get a seat because of money, rather than talent). But, if Antonelli manages to perform as is expected, I believe that seat in Williams is as good as his. But you may be asking "Why won't he go to Mercedes?" well....two reasons. 1: I believe Wolff and Vowles will want him to get comfortable in the F1 world and settle in, as apposed to being 'chucked in the deep end', a mistake red bull made with both Albon and Gasly. My other reason being...
Carlos Sainz Jr
Sainz, after being replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025, will (as of now) find himself without a seat. Previously, there were many rumours of a move to Audi in 2026. However, this is surely not 100% as last year Carlos was looking for a rather large contract extension in the Scuderia Ferrari team. If Carlos was planning on moving to Audi in '26 that would be a perfect opportunity for Mercedes. They'd move Antonelli to Williams for a year (2025) and have Carlos in Mercedes. So that, come 2026, Antonelli will fit into the Mercedes seat and Sainz can make his move to Audi. However, and this is a big however, if Sainz was not planning on going to Audi, the situation at hand becomes a little difficult. Now, if I'm being honest, I have no clue where the Spaniard may be heading, but seeing as he is the only driver to beat Red Bulls dominance (twice - I'm so glad I got up for 2.30 am to watch Melbourne, that was epic), I don't believe his F1 days will finish in Abu Dhabi. Eight out of ten teams all have at least one spare seat, so I don't see Sainz stuck for options.
Spare seats
Luckily for me, McLaren are not switching drivers anytime soon. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are sticking in the papaya team for many days to come, as is CEO Zak Brown who has also recently signed a contract extension so stay within the team. Also stuck is Ferrari, Keeping Charles Leclerc alongside their new addition Lewis Hamilton (It's been months and I still can't believe he's really going to be in red), with team principle Fred Vasseur. Also sticking with their teams is George Russel, Max Verstappen, Alex Albon and obviously, Lance Stroll. Drivers yet to confirm their Formula One futures are Sainz, Perez, Alonso, Gasly, Ocon, Ricciardo, Bottas, Hulkenburg, Magnussen, Zhou, Tsunoda and Sargeant. However, it's almost certain one will be out, as a certain driver has supposedly been promised a seat for the 2025 season...a certain Red Bull reserve...you know him...it's
Liam Lawson
Liam is a 22-year-old Kiwi reserve driver for both Red Bull Racing and RB. He previously competed in FIA Formula two, where he finished in third. In the 2023 Formula One season, Lawson raced in place of an injured Daniel Ricciardo. Lawson raced 5 races, collecting 2 points and making a Zandvoort Q3. Due to his exceptional debut, young age and cool head when racing, many assumed he'd have a drive for 2024 (It's a crime that he doesn't). Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Daniel Ricciardo, I understand the appeal of the Aussi is stemmed from his personality, yet, I do believe that he is on a severe decline in talent from where he once was (not that were he once was was even that great). Personally, I believe that RB seat deserves to be Lawsons, and I know I'm not the only one thinking that. Yet, with Horner's attachment to Ricciardo, who knows what will happen?
Red Bull
...gives you wings. Or, in Daniel Ricciardo's case, a second chance. Although, at time of writing, we are only 3 races deep into the season, and it'd be unfair to judge his results just post wrist injury, I do still believe his talent has dissipated. And I do not believe he is worthy of a seat. Red Bull is going through it's own civil war at the moment, and it's even looking like a possibility that Verstappen may move teams. He'd be a fool to leave, however, crazier things have happened. Currently, though, Verstappens contract seems to be long lasting. This is great news for the Red Bull team, as they have such a talented driver, seemingly allergic to mistakes. But, as a number two driver, it's extremely difficult to even compare to such talent. No driver has come close. Red Bull made a couple mistakes while in search for their 'next Max', taking chances on young drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, who both seemed to crumble under pressure and underperform. After these two fails, Red Bull turned to more experienced drivers - Sergio Perez. All things considered, I don't believe Perez is a bad driver. He is certainly not the best and hardly compares to his teammate, but he is good at playing number 2. He plays the team game, sometimes helping Max achieve the results he does, and, when needed, can pull out some great results. Yes, he makes rookie mistakes, picks up penalties like they're Pokemon and can be hot headed. But, overall, Red Bull wouldn't be making a mistake by re-signing the Mexican man. They could bring in Lawson, although that's probably not the wisest idea, as the Kiwi is yet to spend more than 5 races in an F1 car. It may be an option to bring in Sainz Jr, as he is getting older and is already in his 9th F1 season, and has proved how much he deserves a seat. In their obvious (maybe a bit too obvious) stage of domination, I doubt it will be tricky for them to find a driver. However, this is something they should be thinking about.
As for Stake..
Previously known as Alpha Romeo and switching to Audi in 2026, the Stake team consists of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. It's reserve driver being Theo Pouchaire. The young Frenchman, having won Formula 2, serves now as a test and reserve driver for the Stake team. Both drivers, Bottas and Zhou, are out of contracts by the end of the 2024 season. However, as Audi come in '26, to change the line up now would most likely only last the year before Audi choose to start fresh. I don't believe that Stake will change anything before 2026, however, if they do choose to, it'll more than likely be with Pourchaire (along with probably Zhou).
Speaking of young talents...
I reckon it's time to mention one Ollie Bearman. The F2 driver, after sitting in for Sainz during the Saudi Arabian Grande Prix and collecting 6 points, has been a hot topic in the F1 world. Most drivers and a few TP's praised the young brit for his performance in Jeddah. The fans and presenters of said race went mad over his P7. But I can't help but feel like that was a bare minimum, as he was in the second fastest car on the grid, however I still believe he did well. Yet, as a Ferrari Jr driver, he isn't going to get a seat in his team for next year. However with the Ferrari-Haas partnership, Bearman even completing an FP1 for the MoneyGram team last season, it is always a possibility we will see Ollie in a Haas. I do believe, as both Haas seats are up for grabs, that Bearman will make the team next year, and I believe he will be racing along side Nico Hulkenburg (no offense Kevin). Ex-Haas-Team Principle Geunther Steiner has already voiced his admiration for the young Brit and said how, if he still had authority over driver line-up decisions, Bearman would be in his team. Hopefully Ayoa Komatsu (Haas' new TP) will agree and we will see Ollie in Formula one next year.
If this is the case, my condolences go to Magnussen, as I'm sure he'd be the one leaving. Hulkenburg has constantly outdriven his Danish teammate, grabbing a handful of Q3's and point's for his team. It'd be a mistake to lose that. I'm not suggesting that Magnussen is a bad driver, he too has gotten points and has been a good number two driver for Nico, yet I still think it'd be good to mix up the team. Furthermore, I also think that the juxtaposition between an older, experienced driver and a young, new driver would make a good and balanced team.
Alpine
Oh God. Now, I must say, when it comes to Alpine, who freaking knows? Do you? If so, please, enlighten me as I'm stumped.
The French team had a roller coaster of a season in 2023, with a few podium finishes, but a handful of double DNF's. Alpine finished P6 in the constructors championship last year. This year, things aren't looking so good. Although, if we look at McLarens gorgeous turnover last year, from the bottom of the grid to almost the top, It'd be unfair to judge Alpine after just 3 races. However, to put it quite plainly, they are doing pretty bad. I'm sure Otmar is glad he left when he did. But, we don't know if Alpine will turn around and show us something great. Gasly and Ocon don't know either. Both drivers are out of contract come Abu Dhabi. Neither drivers have shown signs of extraordinary talent. Of course they are both race winners (which is more than some of the highest rated drivers today can say - I'm looking at you, Lando) and they have both put in some good results. But, they just aren't the type of drivers you take big risks over. Especially not Esteban, known for his lack of ability in partnership, having never gotten on with a teammate, will struggle to find a seat anywhere else. Unfortunately, I believe the same goes for Pierre. If the French pair stay in Alpine, I believe they could be F1 drivers for a while to come. But, I'm not sure they have many, if any, choices past that, especially as they are aiming for a step up. But, to be completely honest, I'm pulling at threads here, I have no clue.
Lastly, there's Aston Martin
A strong, midfield team, podium contender for most pre-summer break races in the 2023 season. They, if they have any sense at all, will be holding onto Alonso like their lives depend on it. Stroll will continue in that team til he decides he's had enough, meaning only one AM seat is up for grabs. While Aston will most certainly want to keep Fernando, what will Fernando want to do? I don't know. You don't know. It's Fernando Alonso we are talking about, I'm not even sure he knows. His only real other, logical option would be to Mercedes, but would he? On the off chance he does leave, their options for drivers will be open. I suppose, they could offer many of the mid-field teams drivers a seat, such as the Alpines, the Stakes, RB's or Haas. Or they could take a risky chance on their reserve driver, Felipe Drugovich, a previous F2 champion.
I don't know about you, but with so many open doors and opportunities, I'm quite excited to see how all this plays out.
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