The surprising move of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari, announced on February 1st, was the first big news, leaving Mercedes with a significant void to fill. They have several options to consider, including the possibility of recruiting a rookie like Kimi Antonelli or the speculation that Toto Wolff may lure Sebastian Vettel out of retirement.
The sudden, but expected departure of Ocon from Alpine also puts him on Mercedes’ radar as a potential teammate for George Russell. Ocon is, after all, a protege of Wolff.
Only a few F1 teams have confirmed their drivers for 2025. Ferrari has Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, McLaren has Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and Aston Martin will retain Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. The remaining teams have not yet announced their drivers for the upcoming season. Besides Mercedes and Russell, other confirmed drivers for 2025 include Alex Albon with Williams, Nico Hulkenberg with Sauber, and Max Verstappen with Red Bull.
Mercedes has a plethora of options to consider during this Crazy Season. Carlos Sainz is the most sought-after driver in the market, and his performance suggests he would have his pick of teams. However, the delay in finalizing a deal for 2025 indicates it may not be so straightforward for the highly regarded Spaniard.
A possible scenario could see Sainz spending a year at Sauber before embarking on an adventure at Audi F1 in 2026. This seems like a fitting and sensible path. The question that remains, however, is how long it will take for the struggling Hinwil operation to transform into a winning team?
The impressive support from Zhou Guanyu during the Shanghai Grand Prix caught the attention of many. It would be strange if F1 didn’t find a way to keep the talented Chinese driver on the field. It wouldn’t be surprising if he spent another year with Sauber.
Red Bull is likely to extend Sergio Perez’s contract for another year. An announcement about this is expected soon, possibly to boost the confidence of the veteran Mexican. The team recognizes that there is no one in their lineup who can match Verstappen’s skills. With Perez, they have the best option available, which seems to be their strategy. However, disappointing weekends like Monaco will not be well received.
There is a possibility that Red Bull could replace Perez with Carlos Sainz for a year and see how it goes. However, Sainz and Verstappen have a history together. One can imagine Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda struggling to keep up with Verstappen and damaging their cars in the process. Although both the Japanese driver and the Australian are expected to remain in VCARB, there is a growing demand for Liam Lawson to have his chance.
Ricciardo has not performed well since leaving McLaren at the lowest point of his career. Has he improved? The opportunity given by his former team did not indicate that a return to Red Bull Racing is justified. Yuki consistently outperforms him. The Ricciardo of past Red Bull days is missing. His marketing is what keeps him in the seat, but that also depends on his results in the end.
Reports suggest that Haas will not renew Kevin Magnussen’s contract, and there are suggestions that Esteban Ocon will join the team next year alongside Ferrari protege Oliver Bearman. The latter option makes sense, but signing the rejected Alpine driver for the American team could lead to disaster. Only time will reveal Gene Haas’s plans for this Crazy Season.
For continuity, Pierre Gasly will likely remain with Alpine. However, the team is poorly managed and has suffered a significant loss of talent. There are rumors that Renault may withdraw from the project and continue only as a supplier of F1 Power Units, with Andretti Global showing interest in taking over. Additionally, there have been talks about the possible return of Flavio Briatore to a leadership position.
Until the sale or any major changes occur, Alpine needs to fill a seat in 2025. Jack Doohan is next in line from the Alpine academy, should the French team decide to promote internally.
If Williams, under the leadership of James Vowles, is truly determined to bring the team back to its former glory, they must part ways with Logan Sargeant. Albon needs a teammate who can challenge him, contribute more, and have fewer accidents.
With Nico Hulkenberg in Hinwil, there is a possibility of Valtteri Bottas returning to Williams. This would be a good move, as Bottas brings experience and would provide a greater challenge for Albon compared to Sargeant. However, Sainz is also in negotiations with Vowles.
In the end, only the drivers, their management teams, and the F1 team bosses know what will happen. The Crazy Season of 2025 is just beginning, so expect surprises along the way.
© 2024
The 2024 football season is full of excitement and surprises. Fans are eager to see their favorite teams in action and cheer for them. The championship promises to be one of the most thrilling in recent years.
The Flamengo team, the current champion, is confident in their ability to repeat success. With a strong squad and an experienced coach, they are ready to face any challenge. Fans are hopeful that the team can bring home another title.
Another team that is catching the attention is São Paulo. With a new high-profile signing, they are ready to fight for the title. The fans are excited about the possibilities and hope that the team can surprise everyone.
Palmeiras, who were runners-up last season, are also determined to win the title. With a talented squad and a motivated coach, they are ready to face any challenge. The fans are confident that the team can go far.
In addition to the traditional teams, there are also some surprises in the competition. Bahia, for example, is showing a good performance and can surprise many people. The fans are excited about the possibility of seeing their beloved team shine.
However, not everything is rosy. Some teams are facing financial problems and had to make cuts in their squads. This may affect their performance in the competition. The fans are concerned about the future of their teams and hope that they can overcome these difficulties.
In summary, the 2024 football season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent years. With strong teams and surprises along the way, fans are eager to see how the games unfold. It will be a championship full of excitement and passion for football.
