Giedo van der Garde tells 32-podium driver to leave F1 and do ‘something else’ in 2025

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A number of current F1 drivers could be off the grid altogether by the time the 2025 season starts in Australia next March. The teams all retained their combinations last winter but change is now afoot.

Williams driver Logan Sargeant is already making plans to continue his racing career elsewhere. Sargeant could announce a move to IndyCar before the summer break.

It’s not yet clear if the American will see out the season, with a new contract seemingly out of the question. Team principal James Vowles admits Williams are open to a short-term line-up change.

Elsewhere, Kevin Magnussen may see his third spell in the sport come to an end. One journalist suspects Magnussen is preparing to compete in another series come 2025.

Haas have signed Oliver Bearman to replace Nico Hulkenberg next year. But Ayao Komatsu is likely to give Esteban Ocon the second seat.

Valtteri Bottas, meanwhile, still hasn’t found a drive in a hectic market. Bottas is at least attracting interest from Williams as he nears the end of his Sauber deal.

Giedo van der Garde urges Daniel Ricciardo to leave F1

Another driver facing an uncertain future is Daniel Ricciardo. RB have extended the contract of teammate Yuki Tsunoda, but they remain undecided on the Australian.

Ricciardo isn’t in contention to replace Sergio Perez, should Red Bull axe him during the summer break. Reserve driver Liam Lawson is more likely to get the nod.

One journalist thinks RB could field an all-new line-up in 2025 as they return to prioritising youth. Ricciardo has held talks with Williams, like Bottas, but ex-F1 driver Giedo van der Garde believes he should call it a day.

Speaking on De Race Show, the former Caterham man suggested that he should do ‘something else’ next year. The 32-time podium-finisher spent the first half of 2023 on the sidelines after losing his McLaren seat.

“Don’t get Ricciardo, because he still performs worse than Yuki Tsunoda,” Van der Garde told Red Bull. “He has to finish his year and just do something else. I would say let’s just put Liam Lawson in.”

Ricciardo under fire for statement after Silverstone

After beating Tsunoda in three consecutive Grands Prix, Ricciardo regressed at Silverstone. He qualified two spots below his teammate in 15th, and could only manage P13 while the Japanese driver scored a point.

Tsunoda, who has started 176 races fewer, has outscored his RB partner by nine points this season. He also leads him 9-3 in the Saturday head-to-head.

F1 journalist Peter Windsor was critical of Ricciardo for what he said after Sunday’s race. The 35-year-old painted it as a collective failing rather than taking responsibility himself.

Some may wonder how his career would have panned out had he not left Red Bull in 2018. Martin Brundle says Ricciardo made an ’emotional’ decision rather than looking at things rationally.