Although only one seat officially remains on the grid for the 2025 Formula 1 season—Yuki Tsunoda’s teammate at VCARB—there is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding driver line-ups as the season approaches. Two drivers, in particular, are facing the possibility of losing their seats before the season even begins: Sergio Perez and Jack Doohan.
Jack Doohan’s situation is especially unfortunate. The young Australian has worked diligently behind the scenes as a test and reserve driver for Alpine. His efforts were rewarded when Alpine announced him as the replacement for the departing Esteban Ocon, with Jack Doohan set to make his F1 debut at his home race in March. However, recent reports have surfaced suggesting that Alpine may be considering Franco Colapinto as a replacement. Franco Colapinto, who wasn’t even on the grid until the Italian Grand Prix, has made an immediate impact with solid performances, scoring points in two of his first four races, making him one of the most sought-after drivers in the paddock.
Sergio Perez, too, finds himself under intense pressure following a lackluster 2024 season. Heading into the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Sergio Perez is hoping to end a 16-race streak without a podium finish. Red Bull’s performance has also suffered, as they’ve fallen from first to third place in the Constructors’ Championship, costing the team an estimated $20 million (£15.5 million). With Sergio Perez languishing in eighth place in the Drivers’ Championship, the possibility of him being replaced for 2025 is gaining traction. Reports indicate that Red Bull team principal Christian Horner sees Franco Colapinto as a potential successor, while Helmut Marko is backing Liam Lawson, who replaced Daniel Ricciardo at VCARB following the Singapore Grand Prix. Yuki Tsunoda, despite his solid performances, could also be in the mix, but his ties to Honda may complicate his chances of joining Verstappen at Red Bull next season.
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