The three F1 drivers most at threat of losing their seat midway through the 2025 season

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As Formula 1 heads into the 2025 season, the grid is set for significant changes amongst the 10 teams’ driver line-ups.

The driver market was thrown into chaos in February as Lewis Hamilton confirmed his move to Ferrari from Mercedes. Arguably the biggest driver transfer in F1 history, the switch led to several other drivers moving teams across the paddock.

Only McLaren and Aston Martin will have the same driver pairing as this year in 2025. The former will retain exciting duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, while the latter will keep Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll on their books for 2025.

Many teams have selected their drivers with 2026 in mind, with several talents signing long-term contracts for when the new technical regulations enter the sport.

However, some drivers are only contracted for 2025 as their respective teams assess their options for the following season. This potentially puts them at risk of being replaced midway through the year – a fate that Logan Sargeant and Daniel Ricciardo suffered in 2024.

F1 Oversteer has taken a look at the 2025 line-up and picked out three drivers who are most at threat of losing their seats halfway through the year.

Jack Doohan

Joining Alpine in 2025 to partner Pierre Gasly, Jack Doohan made his debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this year in place of Esteban Ocon – who was released early by the Enstone-based team to join Haas and drive in the post-season test with them before next year.

Doohan is the 16th Australian to race in F1 and is the second driver on the grid from the nation in 2025 alongside McLaren’s Piastri.

The 21-year-old served as Alpine’s reserve driver in 2024 and is the first driver to graduate from their academy into a race seat. But it seems like Doohan is the most at threat of losing his seat early given the rumours surrounding his contract.

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Alpine only disclosed that the Aussie’s deal was for 2025, but it has been reported that Doohan is only contracted for five races. If this is true, Doohan will be under increased pressure to deliver results and keep himself in F1.

Alpine have expressed their interest in Franco Colapinto after his performances at Williams this season. The Argentine could be an option to replace Doohan if the Aussie fails to perform.

Alpine could also promote from within after recently signing Paul Aron as their reserve driver. Many are excited to see Doohan in F1 and get his chance, but his time in the sport could be over not long after getting his opportunity.

Yuki Tsunoda

Yuki Tsunoda’s situation is an incredibly complex one heading into 2025, despite having a contract with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls for next season.

The Japanese driver has spent four seasons with the Faenza-based squad and is set for a fifth after missing out on a promotion to the main Red Bull team.

Tsunoda’s Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson got the nod to replace Sergio Perez after his departure from the Milton Keynes-based outfit, despite only competing in 11 Grand Prix so far.

READ MORE: Visa Cash App RB driver Yuki Tsunoda’s life outside F1 from height to parents

Christian Horner thinks Lawson demonstrated ‘the right mindset’ for Red Bull, which is the key reason why he has opted to sign the Kiwi driver to race alongside Max Verstappen in 2025.

While this will mean that Tsunoda will drive with Racing Bulls in 2025, the fact that Red Bull are overlooking him for a move to the team might mean his time in their setup could be over soon.

Tsunoda has been linked with Aston Martin given that the Japanese driver is backed by Honda – who will supply the team’s engines from 2026. With Red Bull seemingly not committed to bringing up Tsunoda, they could well axe him and replace him with another driver within their junior ranks.

Kimi Antonelli

Perhaps the most exciting of the rookies joining F1 next season, Kimi Antonelli has huge shoes to fill as he replaces Hamilton at Mercedes.

Being a rookie in F1 brings enough pressure as it is. Being a rookie at one of F1’s most successful teams in recent years, replacing the most winningest driver of all time, brings monumental pressure and it has already taken its toll on the Italian this season.

Antonelli crashed within 10 minutes of his first FP1 appearance in F1 at the Italian Grand Prix. While Mercedes were encouraged by what they saw, it can be argued the expectations from the team got to him given his unbelievable junior career.

READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats

While he is only 18 and a rookie, expectations are on the young talent to perform from the off. Toto Wolff is optimistic Antonelli can beat Hamilton next season, which would be an incredible feat.

Mercedes have Antonelli in mind for the future, but if the move to F1 proves too much in 2025, the Silver Arrows could drop him to a reserve role to give more guidance behind the scenes.

Mercedes have signed Valtteri Bottas as their reserve driver for 2025 after his departure from Sauber. If Antonelli is unable to perform, the Finn would be an option to bring back to the team alongside George Russell and support the Italian away from the cockpit before giving him another chance later down the line.