SAINZ Carlos (spa), Scuderia Ferrari SF-24, portrait during the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2024, 1st round of the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship from February 29 to March 2, 2024 on the Bahrain International Circuit, in Sakhir, Bahrain - Photo Antonin Vincent / DPPI

F1 Rumor: ‘Silly Season’ in full swing between Imola and Monaco

(GMM) The F1 driver market ‘silly season’ is still in full swing even in the few days between Imola and Monaco.

Corriere dello Sport in Italy reports that Carlos Sainz may now have said ‘yes’ to Audi-owned Sauber for 2025 and beyond – turning down offers from Alpine and Williams.

And over at Red Bull, Sergio Perez has been offered a one-year contract extension for 2025, according to Fox Mexico. The 34-year-old reportedly responded that he wants at least a two-year deal.

Also, still in contention for at least a short-term deal at Red Bull Racing next year, perhaps preceding a 2026 move with Honda to Aston Martin, is Yuki Tsunoda.

“Sergio didn’t do as well in Imola as he did previously,” Red Bull consultant Dr Helmut Marko said in his latest column for Speed Week.

“However, Yuki Tsunoda’s performance at the Racing Bulls’ home race in Imola was impressive,” Marko added. “This was part of a series of excellent performances from Yuki, with the exception of China.

“He makes almost no mistakes anymore, he is focused, he works well with the engineers. It took some time, but now he is putting his talent and speed to good use,” Marko said.

Ferrari refugee and Spaniard Sainz, 29, had also been in theoretical contention for a move to Red Bull, with a one-year deal at Mercedes perhaps also on the table.

“Carlos has earned his place in Formula 1,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said. “He has a wealth of experience.

“But I think we need to take our time with the decision and see how the situation develops in the summer and autumn.”

It’s rumored that Mercedes is much more likely to put rookie Kimi Antonelli next to George Russell next year – perhaps after the 17-year-old Italian makes his Formula 1 debut in Logan Sargeant’s place at Williams later this season.

“I think we should let him (Antonelli) do his job in Formula 2, let him show what he can do, and we shouldn’t worry too much about what could or should be,” Wolff said when asked about his Italian protégé.

Antonelli can probably only secure his mandatory FIA super license in time for Monza – by which time he will have turned 18.

He may then have several lower-pressure races in 2024 to adjust to Formula 1 with Williams – before making the leap to the Mercedes works team.

Valtteri Bottas could then be the struggling Sargeant’s longer-term replacement at Williams beginning in 2025.

Last Updated May 22, 2024

2025 F1 Silly Season Table
Team Engine No. Driver Nat. Rating Comments
Audi Sauber Ferrari 27 Nico Hulkenberg Germany Fact Signed
55 Carlos Sainz Jr. Spain Strong Will replace Bottas
Alpine F1 Team Renault 31 Esteban Ocon France Strong Expected back
61 Jack Doohan Australia Speculation Waiting in the wings
Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team Mercedes 14 Fernando Alonso Spain Fact Signed thru 2026
18 Lance Stroll Canada Fact Daddy owns the team
Ferrari Ferrari 16 Charles Leclerc Monaco Fact Signed thru 2028
44 Lewis Hamilton England Fact Signed thru 2026
Moneygram Haas F1 Team Ferrari 10 Pierre Gasly France Speculation Could replace Kevin Magnussen
38 Oliver Bearman England Strong Expected to replace Hulkenberg
McLaren F1 Team Mercedes 4 Lando Norris England Fact Signed
81 Oscar Piastri Australia Fact Signed
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes 12 Kimi Antonelli Italy Speculation Could replace Hamilton
55 Carlos Sainz Jr. Spain Speculation Could replace Hamilton
63 George Russell England Fact Signed thru 2025
Red Bull Racing Honda 1 Max Verstappen Netherlands Fact Signed thru 2028
11 Sergio Perez Mexico Speculation Could be re-signed for 1 year
22 Yuki Tsunoda Japan Speculation Could replace Perez for 1 year
55 Carlos Sainz Jr. Spain Speculation Could replace Perez
Visa Cash App RB Honda 22 Yuki Tsunoda Japan Strong Expected back
40 Liam Lawson Australia Strong Expected to replace struggling Ricciardo
Williams Racing Mercedes 12 Kimi Antonelli Italy Speculation Could replace Sargeant
23 Alex Albon Thailand Fact Signed
77 Valtteri Bottas Finland Speculation Could replace Sargeant