F1 2025 – A new year, a new championship is fast approaching. Many rookie drivers are debuting, with a large group of young talents aiming to “refresh” a category where Fernando Alonso (43) and Lewis Hamilton (39, almost 40) remain the undisputed veterans, both in terms of age and races completed.
It’s a revolving door in Formula 1. But what are the drivers who made way for the newcomers planning to do? Let’s take a look at the possible and more complex scenarios that could materialize depending on specific developments.
F1 2025: The Situation of the “Ousted”
DANIEL RICCIARDO
Starting with someone who was let go mid-season after getting a whiff of Sergio Perez’s Red Bull seat. Daniel Ricciardo disappointed in his second season at VCARB. While he had the excuse of joining mid-season and suffering an injury shortly after debuting in his first year, nothing worked in 2024.
His future in Formula 1 appears uncertain. Rumors linked him to Cadillac, but these were unfounded journalistic speculations denied by Ricciardo himself. A definitive retirement cannot be ruled out, though many teams in categories outside F1 would gladly welcome him.
LOGAN SARGEANT
After leaving Formula 1 following the Zandvoort GP, the American has already planned his future for 2025. Although he tested an IndyCar with Meyer Shank Racing, he decided to remain in Europe. He will race in ELMS with IDEC Sport, while Genesis will evaluate him as a potential candidate for a WEC entry in 2026. Formula 1 seems to be a closed chapter, with few lamenting his absence.
KEVIN MAGNUSSEN
Magnussen’s second stint in the Circus was marked by struggles to compete with Nico Hulkenberg, who, especially this season, gave the Dane driving lessons. This situation led to his losing his seat.
Although he has returned to Formula 1 after absences in the past, a comeback this time seems unlikely. Magnussen’s future is heading toward the world of Endurance racing, where he will be a BMW factory driver in the WEC. He will share one of the German manufacturer’s Hypercars with Raffaele Marciello and Dries Vanthoor in the brand’s second season in the category.
SERGIO PEREZ
After announcing his departure from Formula 1 on December 18, the Mexican has yet to make any official statements. This silence suggests ongoing negotiations with other opportunities, despite his commitment to serving as a Red Bull ambassador throughout 2025.
Checo’s future is uncertain. For him as well, the Cadillac project could be a viable route for a return, but these are still hypothetical scenarios. Meanwhile, he has shown interest in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while Alberto Longo, a former executive and friend, envisions him in Formula E, where his skill in managing energy and handling street circuits could make a difference.
FRANCO COLAPINTO
The young Argentine has expressed his desire to continue in F1, but his presence on the 2025 grid is not guaranteed. Despite a brilliant debut in the Monza and Baku Grands Prix, crashes in Brazil and Las Vegas dampened Red Bull’s interest, leading the team to focus on other talents.
Colapinto will remain connected to the Circus as a reserve driver for Williams. However, with Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz confirmed, his opportunities within the team seem limited. A possible alternative could be a move to Alpine, where Jack Doohan is starting with little confidence from Flavio Briatore. Should he choose another category, WEC would be an appealing option for his career.
GUANYU ZHOU
The Chinese driver has not yet finalized his plans for the future but hasn’t given up on the idea of returning to Formula 1. Zhou aims to maintain a presence in the paddock and hopes to leverage his connections with Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac’s incoming technical head for 2026, to secure a seat with the American team.
For 2025, Zhou might accept a reserve driver role, though nothing is currently concrete, not even the Ferrari option mentioned in recent months. If the F1 doors remain closed, Zhou may consider other categories, with Formula E being a natural fit for his skillset. The series CEO, Jeff Dodds, has already expressed interest in discussions, noting that having a Chinese driver is beneficial for a rapidly growing series.
VALTTERI BOTTAS
Valtteri Bottas has already secured a seat for 2025. The Finnish driver, as is well known, will serve as Mercedes’ reserve driver, ready to step in if Andrea Kimi Antonelli or George Russell are unavailable for any reason.
The Nastola native’s concrete goal is to return to the grid in 2026. Unsurprisingly, he too hopes to join Cadillac, the common denominator in many speculations. It’s unclear if Bottas will pair this role with a program in another championship, but the WEC, with Mercedes’ LMGT3, could be a viable alternative given the saturation of major single-seater categories.
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