Formula 1 driver market takes on curious excesses
Max Verstappen leaves the world in suspense, Mick Schumacher fights for his chance and Audi fails to secure its cockpit - the driver market is particularly colorful this year.
Max Verstappen danced around a clear answer, yet the question was quite simple. Will the world champion race for Red Bull next year? He hedged three times, then finally: "Yes, I have been saying that all along." An intriguing spectacle, but not a clear confession - and yet many media outlets made a big deal out of it: Verstappen will not switch to Mercedes in 2025! Red Bull took it in stride. "Did he really say that?", wondered team boss Toto Wolff, he couldn't believe it.
The mystery of Verstappen's future is also a constant theme in Formula 1 before the Grand Prix of Austria (Sunday, 3 pm/Sky and live at ntv.de), but it's not the only one: The driver market is particularly bizarre this year, as so many unusual things are happening.
Hamilton sets things in motion
It all started in February when Lewis Hamilton's move from Mercedes to Ferrari with a one-year notice period became public. Mercedes therefore needs a top-class replacement for the record world champion in 2025. Verstappen, on the other hand, is actually bound to Red Bull until 2028 - but since an internal power struggle between team boss Christian Horner and advisor Helmut Marko broke out at Red Bull in the spring, nothing seems certain there either.
If Marko leaves, then Verstappen can get out of his contract, as things stand. And Mercedes is not tired of courting the current best driver. "We'll keep our free seat open as long as possible," Wolff told oe24: "If the car is fast, fast drivers will want to drive for us." And while Mercedes is actually in a resurgence, Red Bull's dominance is becoming apparent. It remains to be seen if this is a story with an open ending, if not for 2025, then for 2026.
Audi not as attractive as expected
In the shadows of this saga, interesting things are happening. The respected Spaniard Carlos Sainz must give way to Hamilton at Ferrari and can choose his seat among the midfield teams. Williams, Alpine, and even the future Audi team are courting him. Audi, which will replace the Sauber team as a works team from 2026, is apparently not as attractive as expected. The Germans have already signed Nico Hülkenberg for the future, but they have not yet convinced another driver with a similar strong profile.
Mick Schumacher, on the other hand, is not a topic for Audi, but he will have a chance to return to Formula 1 in a few days: On the coming Wednesday, he will get into an older Alpine-Boliden for a test, it is a test against Jack Doohan, another candidate. The winner could sit in Alpine in 2025 - if Carlos Sainz doesn't decide for the French team instead.
The Spaniard, by the way, has "learned a lot about Formula 1" in his latest talks with the teams: "That you can't trust everyone. And how little you can believe what you hear here." Perhaps this also applies to Verstappen's hesitant "Yes."
- Despite the rumors suggesting a shift to Audi, Max Verstappen remains committed to Red Bull Racing for the upcoming seasons, as confirmed by his recent statements.
- Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari and the power struggle within Red Bull Racing have opened up opportunities for transfers and rumors in the Formula 1 driver market, with drivers like Mick Schumacher and Carlos Sainz being heavily courted.
- Despite being courted by Mercedes, Mick Schumacher has the chance to return to Formula 1 in the coming days, as he competes in an Alpine-Boliden test for a potential seat in 2025, should Carlos Sainz not opt for Alpine instead.
- Audi's aspirations of attracting top-tier drivers for its works team in 2026 have not materialized as expected, with the German brand yet to secure a high-profile addition beyond Nico Hülkenberg for its future roster.
