Ranking every driver transfer of the 2025 Formula 1 season including Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari

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Lewis Hamilton’s shock move to Ferrari set the tone for the 2025 Formula 1 driver market. It created multiple driver transfers for the new season.

It was a sharp contrast from the 2024 season, with no new drivers joining the grid. It marked the first time in F1 history that the driver line-ups stayed the same from the previous year.

But in 2025, that was all changed as Hamilton shockingly announced that he was joining Ferrari from Mercedes before the 2024 season had even started. What followed were multiple driver transfers on the F1 driver market, as well as six rookies joining the grid.

But how did all of these moves fare for the drivers and the teams? F1 Oversteer has taken a look back and ranked every transfer made for – and during – the 2025 season.

13 Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls to Red Bull

This driver transfer lasted all but two races, making it an easy choice for the last spot on this list.

Christian Horner felt Liam Lawson was well-equipped for Red Bull, but he was quickly proven wrong as he was knocked out in Q1 in Australia and China, and his confidence was shot to pieces, culminating in the shortest stint from any driver in the team’s history.

12 Franco Colapinto – Williams to Alpine

Alpine invested millions into the signing of Franco Colapinto from Williams, and they were rewarded with multiple crashes and no points. The Argentine struggled to adapt to the A525 and was dominated by Pierre Gasly, putting him under pressure to improve in 2026.

11 Jack Doohan – Alpine

Jack Doohan’s fate at Alpine looked all but certain before he had even stepped into the car. Heavy crashes and Q1 exits cost him his seat to Colapinto after six races, but that was nowhere near enough time to adapt to F1, especially when he had been much closer to Gasly than people may think.

10 Yuki Tsunoda – Racing Bulls to Red Bull

Yuki Tsunoda finally got his chance with Red Bull in 2025, and quickly became the latest driver to struggle in the second car. His pace deficit to Max Verstappen was alarming, which ultimately led to his exit for 2026 – if only he had stayed at Racing Bulls…

9 Esteban Ocon – Alpine to Haas

Esteban Ocon had the chance to establish himself as a lead driver at Haas, but instead, he was more often than not outqualified by his teammate and struggled to adjust to the car. 38 points across the season does not make for good reading heading into 2026.

8 Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes to Ferrari

The biggest driver transfer in F1 history turned out to be a living ‘nightmare’ for Lewis Hamilton. His move to Ferrari was met with poor strategic decisions, miscommunication with the pit wall, underwhelming upgrades and the first season of his career without a podium.

Hamilton will desperately hope that the 2026 F1 regulations will change his fortunes around. But if they do not, it could spell the end of his incredible career, with Ferrari not likely to offer Hamilton a new contract.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

7 Liam Lawson – Red Bull to Racing Bulls

Lawson’s demotion back to Racing Bulls was a welcome one, as the familiar environment and easier car to drive gave him the confidence he needed to revive his form.

He will be under pressure in 2026, but 38 points and a career-best P5 in Baku is something to be proud of, considering where he was at Red Bull.

6 Gabriel Bortoleto – F2 to Sauber

19th place with 19 points is not that inspiring on paper, but Gabriel Bortoleto put his Sauber in places it had no right being in 2025. His P6 in Hungary and five Q3 appearances show exactly why he is viewed as a talent for the future.

5 Kimi Antonelli – F2 to Mercedes

Kimi Antonelli’s European season was rancid, to put it lightly, but his turnaround in the second half of the year was pivotal in helping Mercedes finish P2 in the standings. He came close to his maiden pole and win in his rookie season, and he almost certainly has the credentials to achieve them in 2026.

4 Oliver Bearman – F2 to Haas

He already proved his worth in F1 in 2024, but Oliver Bearman took another step forward with Haas in 2025. Beating Ocon in the standings and putting his VF-25 within touching distance of a podium in Mexico City highlights his incredible talent – it’s no wonder Ferrari are looking at him for 2027.

3 Isack Hadjar – F2 to Racing Bulls

Arguably making the strongest case for rookie of the year, Isack Hadjar silenced his critics after his promotion to F1 with Racing Bulls.

Regular Q3 appearances and his maiden podium at Zandvoort earned a deserved move to Red Bull in 2026 – everyone is praying this transfer works out after years of drivers coming and failing.

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls 2025 F1 driver Isack Hadjar? Everything you need to know

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2 Nico Hulkenberg – Haas to Sauber

Nico Hulkenberg’s move to Sauber is one of the most underrated of the 2025 season. While his qualifying form dropped off, his experience guided him and the team to strong points finishes, including his first F1 podium after 239 races at Silverstone.

1 Carlos Sainz – Ferrari to Williams

Most people knew that Williams had pulled off a major coup by signing Carlos Sainz from Ferrari. Things started slowly for the Spaniard, with Alex Albon establishing a clear advantage, but in the second half of the season, he swung the momentum in his favour.

He scored two podiums for Williams – their first since 2021 – with Sainz beating Hamilton’s podium tally after he replaced him in Maranello. With the Grove outfit making serious progress this season, Sainz could be key in leading them to more success in 2026.