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 |