The Formula 1 grid is starting to take shape. The summer months will see the grid for 2025 filled. We’ve already seen Sergio Perez’s contract get renewed this weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix. These are my predictions for the 2025 grid. Many of the predictions were made with the 2026 regulation reset in mind and what I would do as a team principal.
First, let’s start with the confirmed seats. All of these drivers are contracted for the 2025 season, with some being contracted beyond 2025.
- Max Verstappen- Red Bull
- Sergio Perez- Red Bull
- Charles LeClerc- Ferrari
- Lewis Hamilton- Ferrari
- Lando Norris- McLaren
- Oscar Piastri- McLaren
- George Russell- Mercedes
- Fernando Alonso- Aston Martin
- Alex Albon- Williams
- Nico Hulkenberg- Kick Sauber
That leaves ten seats, or half the grid open for the 2025 season. We will go in order of the current constructor’s points
Mercedes prediction- Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes is in a spot they’re not used to being in, they are currently fourth in the constructors championship. There is no hope in sight of catching the three constructors ahead of them and they are a far cry from their dominance of the 2010s. With the team being a clear fourth, it’s time to take a gamble on Kimi Antonelli. The 17-year-old phenom is a pure driver and could be Mercedes’s answer to Max Verstappen. They need to get him valuable seat time if they hope for him to grow and push the team forward with the new technical regulations in the 2026 season.
Aston Martin prediction- Yuki Tsunoda
I believe that Lance Stroll’s time in Formula One will be over after this season. He is holding the team back from its full potential. I’m not sure if a lot of people know this, but Yuki Tsunoda is currently ahead of Stroll in points in inferior equipment. Yuki is a very consistent driver who takes care of his equipment, he also has ties to Honda which Aston Martin will be using as an engine manufacturer in 2026. He’s the consistent points-getter that Aston Martin needs to pair with Fernando Alonso to push the team forward in the constructors championship.
Visa Cash App RB Prediction- Ayumu Iwasa and Alex Palou
I feel that RB will have a whole new driver lineup in 2025. Iwasa is currently a Red Bull test driver and has been mentioned for this ride for the past two seasons. With him completing FP1 sessions this season already, I believe one of the seats is his. Alex Palou is no stranger to Indycar fans. He’s an F1 talent and is currently in the running to win his third championship in four seasons in IndyCar. If he does win his third championship, F1 teams will not be able to deny his talent. RB has gone to IndyCar in the past when they tried to sign Colton Herta, and I believe they do so again with Palou.
Haas Prediction- Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman
Bearman is a heavy favorite for the seat, after scoring points for Ferrari this season. he is scheduled to run multiple practice sessions for Haas already this season. This is the easiest prediction of the bunch, as it will take something unexpected for him not to get the seat. Haas is finished with NASCAR. He needs to open up the checkbook and sign Carlos Sainz. The team is in desperate need of a driver of this caliber to push them forward into the new technical regulations in 2026. I’m surprised that Sainz hasn’t signed with anybody as of yet, but seats are filling up quickly. Haas is a good opportunity for him to get back to a bigger team.
Williams Prediction- Valtteri Bottas
Bottas is the perfect fit for Williams. He is a veteran driver who gets the job done. He doesn’t tear up equipment, something both William drivers have done multiple times this season. He has a great relationship with team principal, James Vowles. He’s a fan favorite, the list of positives goes on. Bottas is the driver Williams will look to for 2025 and beyond.
Alpine Prediction- Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan
Gasly won the teammate battle over Esteban Ocon. While he hasn’t been confirmed for 2025 yet, in my opinion, it’s only a matter of time before he is confirmed for that seat. Gasly has been good enough at Alpine to keep his seat. Doohan is running FP1 this week at the Canadian Grand Prix in place of Esteban Ocon, who’s already been confirmed to leave the team. 2025 is a perfect season to get their young driver experience for the regulation changes in 2026. I fully expect Doohan to get the seat in 2025.
Kick Sauber Prediction- Liam Lawson
This might be a controversial prediction, but hear me out on this. Lawson has already shown he has what it takes to be an F1 scoring points in the Singapore Grand Prix. RB should not have passed him when they had the chance to put him in the seat. I believe they did so because the Nyck de Vries disaster made them nervous about rookie drivers. Their loss is going to be Audi’s gain in 2026. They will take over the team after next season. They already have a veteran driver who will help the team develop, now all they need is a young star to help push the team forward for years to come. If presented with a contract, Lawson would not pass up the opportunity to be the future of a works team. I believe he’s the man for the job.
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