Let's talk Silly Season
The rumours are in full force at the moment
Photo Via Formula 1
Hamilton To Ferrari, Sainz to Williams, and a Formula 2 duo in line for big-time seats. Dare I say it’s been the silliest Silly Season we have seen in Formula 1? If you’re lost on all the rumours and noise around Formula 1 in 2025 and onwards, never fret, I am here to ✨Tianasplain✨ everything you need to know about Silly Season in 2024!
The easiest way to do this would be to run through each team, the drivers already contracted (if any), then the rumours around each team as well as my predictions for the seat!
In this blog post are the top 5 teams, with the bottom 5 teams coming to you soon 👀
Redbull Racing
Redbull live by the philosophy “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” And following that mantra, they have kept the same line-up for the foreseeable future, with Sergio Perez resigning until 2026 and Max at the team until 2028.
Photo Creds: Motorsport.com
There were a large number of rumours surrounding Redbull’s 2025 seat, with the most frequently believed rumour of Carlos Sainz returning to Redbull. However, the team resigning Checo made the most sense logistically as he not only brings in a vast majority of the teams merch sales. Perez also keeps 3 time WDC winner Max Verstappen quite happy. Redbull know what kind of a driver they are getting with Checo and although his form has not been the greatest as of late, he is still a major reason for the teams success over the past seasons.
Photo creds: Motorsport.com
Ferrari
In the biggest shock of the century really, Lewis Hamilton signed a contract with Ferrari. I was insanely shocked by this news because in my mind, Lewis was always going to retire with Mercedes. I definitely thought there would be a fairytale ending there… However, Lewis wants that 8th championship and no longer feels that Mercedes can give him that opportunity. He’s moving to the most famous Formula 1 team ever, and I can’t wait to see how this plays out.
Photo Via charlesleclerc & lewishamilton on IG
Charles Leclerc, there was never any discourse on his contract. He was always with Ferrari and will continue with them until at least 2028. He will be looking for his FIRST F1 WDC, and hopes the team from Marinello can provide him with the opportunity!
Photo creds: Pinterest
Mclaren
Mclaren had the unsilliest of silly seasons this year, with both of their drivers finalising their contracts last season. Now I am a Mclaren fan so this may be biased but I have to agree with Zak Brown when he says they have the strongest driver pairing on the grid. Both Oscar and Lando are extremely talented drivers who are competitive but are also willing to do whatever they must to help there team. Both drivers are contracted to at least 2026, and will definitely be looking to have some more good memories with the team.
Photo creds: Pinterest
Mercedes
Mercedes… If you’ve been keeping up with F1 News you would know that people at Brackley were as shocked that Lewis was leaving like you and I. This stemmed from a lot of reasons, however, Mercedes were unable to offer Lewis a contract that he agreed on. However, Merc were able to keep George Russell until 2025, and are now looking to build their team and car around George Russell.
Photo creds: Pinterest
George’s teammate has been highly contested amongst F1 rumours, with names such as Carlos Sainz, Mick Schumacher and Esteban Ocon being thrown into the mix. However, whilst I do believe those drivers are talented and deserve F1 seats, there is one driver who is on mine and Toto Wolff’s radar for a 2025 Merc seat. And that is none other than Kimi Antonelli.
Photo via Kimi.antonelli on Instagram
Kimi has been pushed by Mercedes to skip a Formula 3 season and move straight into Formula 2, with Mercedes paying for his entire seat. This leads me to believe that Toto Wolff will be pushing hard for him to be in F1 next season. In my mind Kimi was always Lewis’ replacement, so this makes sense. However, Kimi will be 18 if he joins the F1 Grid next season, and whilst not being the youngest F1 driver ever (shoutout Max Verstappen) he is still quite young amongst people he’s idolised his entire life. This dynamic will be interesting to see in 2025 and onward.
Astonmartin
Is anyone shocked that for another year aston have gone with the same duo? I’m not, but this decision is a logical one from the team as both Alonso and Stroll have managed to be consistent and perform for their team. With Alonso signing a ‘Lifetime contract’ and Lance’s contract expiry unknown, it’s safe to say Aston will not be partaking in Silly Season anytime soon.
Photo Creds: F1.Com
That’s all the silly season news you need to know about the top 5 teams in 2024! I hope you found this enjoyable and somewhat insightful, even if majority of these teams had both drivers contracted!
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