The 2025 Formula 1 grid is beginning to take shape and Red Bull confirming their driver line-up for next year could set off a few dominos elsewhere in the paddock.
Sergio Perez has signed a contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2026 season, ending Carlos Sainz’s hopes of joining Max Verstappen at the constructors’ champions when his Ferrari deal comes to an end.
Journalist Lawrence Barretto was writing on the Formula 1 website and provided an update on the state of the play in the F1 driver’s market.
At the time of writing, only two drivers have signed contracts with new teams for 2025.
Lewis Hamilton will be heading to Ferrari and Nico Hulkenberg will join Sauber ahead of Audi’s takeover in 2026.
That looks set to change though with Williams looking to secure a long-term replacement for Logan Sargeant who hasn’t lived up to expectations.
Carlos Sainz is their preferred candidate, but if the Spaniard chooses another option then Williams have identified Valtteri Bottas as the ‘frontrunner’ to join the team next season.
The £150,000-a-week driver hasn’t officially lost his seat like Sainz but is almost certainly going to be moved on by Sauber at the end of the year.
READ MORE: Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas’ life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin
Valtteri Bottas the ‘frontrunner’ for Williams seat if they don’t sign Carlos Sainz
Mercedes are the only team at the front of the grid that haven’t confirmed their two drivers for next year.
George Russell will almost certainly be joined by Kimi Antonelli, meaning the teams further down the paddock will have their choice of the available drivers.
With Antonelli set to be joined by at least one other rookie on the grid next year, there will almost certainly be some drivers that miss out completely.
It means that drivers are scrambling around to see who might be interested in presenting them with an offer.
They’re all watching on with intrigue to see what Carlos Sainz does next.
The three-time race winner is regarded as the best option on the free agent market and has several teams pursuing his services.
Williams are one of those teams and have made a satisfactory offer to Sainz, while his camp have also been impressed with the team during negotiations.
However, if Sainz decides to move elsewhere then Williams want Valtteri Bottas to join Alex Albon in 2025.
It would be an emotional return to the team that launched the Finn’s Formula 1 career.
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Carlos Sainz’s 2025 decision could have a huge impact on his F1 rivals’ futures
Addressing the situation at Williams, Barretto said: “Williams are pushing hard to convince Sainz to join Alex Albon in what would be one of the most impressive line-ups on the 2025 grid. If the Spaniard declines, Bottas is believed to be the frontrunner to get that seat.
“Like Williams, Sauber/Audi are pushing hard to secure Sainz on a multi-year deal, alongside Nico Hulkenberg, but if that doesn’t work out, leading candidates are believed to be Ocon and RB’s Yuki Tsunoda.”
Bottas is keeping all of his options open, and Barretto believes he’s one of the top two drivers on Haas’s shortlist and in contention to drive for Alpine.
It means the only team Bottas isn’t linked with is the Visa Cash App RB outfit who already have too many drivers for their available seats.
Bottas is too good a driver to not earn a new contract and his experience would make him a valuable asset for any team entering the new regulations in 2026.
The danger he faces is being second choice for every team on the grid and missing out when they all secure their main targets.
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