Sergio Perez and Red Bull have agreed to part ways after a challenging 2024 campaign. This is despite a two-year contract extension that was signed, against all odds, in June. Perez joined the team in 2021 from Racing Point. His best season with the team was in 2023 when he helped secure Red Bull’s first 1-2 finish in the World Drivers’ Championship. But even in his best season, teammate Max Verstappen scored more than double his points. His dip in form in 2024 saw him winless, finishing P8 in the World Drivers’ Championship, and costing Red Bull a shot at winning the World Constructors’ Championship. Although his time racing at Red Bull is done, it’s understood that he will remain involved with the team, participating in some promotional and show-run events throughout 2025. But with the grid full for 2025, there’s no room for Perez to find another seat, probably marking the end of his Formula One career.
Red Bull has promoted Liam Lawson to take Sergio Perez’s seat for the 2025 season. The New Zealander has raced in the past two seasons, although he only has 11 races under his belt. He debuted with RB (then AlphaTauri) in 2023, filling in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo for five races. Lawson returned at the end of 2024, again replacing Ricciardo who had been sacked from the team. Although he was consistently outqualified and scored fewer points than teammate Yuki Tsuonda, Red Bull felt he brought a better mental attitude and stronger technical feedback to the team.
Isack Hadjar will join the Formula One grid for 2025, taking the final remaining seat on the Racing Bulls (formerly RB). The 20-year-old Frenchman has been a member of the Red Bull Junior Team since 2022, working as a test and reserve driver at Red Bull and RB for the past two seasons and also participating in a few free practice outings. An impressive Formula 2 campaign saw him finish second in the championship behind Sauber-bound Gabriel Bortoleto. Hadjar is the last piece of the puzzle, completing the 2025 grid:
| Team | Drivers |
|---|---|
| Alpine | Jack Doohan Pierre Gasly |
| Aston Martin | Fernando Alonso Lance Stroll |
| Ferrari | Charles Leclerc Lewis Hamilton |
| Haas | Esteban Ocon Oliver Bearman |
| McLaren | Lando Norris Oscar Piastri |
| Mercedes | Andrea Kimi Antonelli George Russell |
| Racing Bulls | Isack Hadjar Yuki Tsunoda |
| Red Bull | Max Verstappen Liam Lawson |
| Sauber | Gabriel Bortoleto Nico Hulkenberg |
| Williams | Alexander Albon Carlos Sainz |
Valtteri Bottas will be returning to Mercedes for 2025 as a reserve driver. The Finn, who has lost his seat at Sauber, previously raced alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for 101 races between 2017 and 2021, winning 10 races during his tenure. But with Mercedes’ current young lineup of George Russell and newcomer Andrea Kimi Antonelli, it’s unlikely there will ever be an opportunity for Bottas to race for the team full-time. It’s also unclear what other seats may be available for the Finn for 2026 onward, either inside or outside of Formula One.
Ferrari is the first team to have revealed a car launch date, planned for February 19. This is the day after the official F1 livery launch event at the O2 in London. Although all teams will be present, it’s understood that most teams will still elect to organize independent launch events either before or after the official event. With pre-season testing in Bahrain not scheduled until February 26, most events will likely take place after the O2 launch.
It can be challenging for even the most avid fans to keep up with the fast-paced world of Formula One. The Weekly F1 Recap is a series published each Monday that breaks down the action, both on and off the circuit, into bit-sized pieces. It's perfect for casual and experienced fans alike.
