Two-point driver expected to ‘definitely’ rejoin the Formula 1 grid in 2025

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The 2024 Formula 1 driver market is now moving into its final stages. Half the teams still haven’t confirmed their line-ups, but that will soon change.

‘Everyone knows’ that Alpine will hire Jack Doohan to be Pierre Gasly’s teammate, according to Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli has signed his Mercedes contract, so an announcement should be imminent.

It’s less clear-cut at Sauber/Audi. They have already signed Nico Hulkenberg but they remain undecided on his teammate.

The likeliest outcome is that they end up keeping Valtteri Bottas, who’s outperformed Zhou Guanyu this season. But Audi are interested in Gabriel Bortoleto too, even if they’d have to prise him away from the McLaren academy.

Red Bull are the team most likely to hold up the completion of the 2025 grid. They appeared to finalise their pairing in June when Sergio Perez signed a new contract.

However, Perez could lose his seat after Singapore if he doesn’t improve, having barely survived past the summer break. That, in turn, will have direct ramifications for the make-up of the RB team.

Liam Lawson believed to have a seat on 2025 F1 grid

Liam Lawson is in contention for three different teams as it stands. If a vacancy emerges at RB, he will almost certainly fill it, though there’s a possibility he could replace Daniel Ricciardo there too.

The New Zealander could also jump straight to Red Bull, even though he only has five Grands Prix and two championship points under his belt. If they don’t give him a seat at either team, he’s entitled to look elsewhere from September under a clause in his contract.

To that end, Lawson has held talks with Audi. But journalist Ian Parkes has spotted a telling hint about his future.

Speaking on the Racing News 365 podcast, he pointed out that F2 leader Isack Hadjar is set to be Red Bull’s reserve next year. That’s the role currently occupied by Lawson, which suggests he’s found himself an F1 seat.

Parkes said: “I think he’s definitely got a seat somewhere because Helmut Marko’s said with regard to Isack Hadjar that it looks pretty certain that he’s going to take on that test and reserve role with Red Bull/RB for next season. That’s the role that Liam currently occupies of course. 

“And it would be unfair as well to let Liam just sit there and almost fester in some respects because that’s the way he’d probably be feeling if he was going to have a second season in that position. So you’ve got to believe that Liam has a seat somewhere.”

What Liam Lawson’s management are saying about leaving Red Bull

A potential rival for the Audi seat, Bortoleto would be ‘baffled’ if Red Bull overlooked Lawson for next year. He was in contention to race for RB this term and has been waiting for his moment.

Whatever the outcome, Red Bull will make a Lawson announcement next month. Executive director Marko has said as much himself.

Lawson’s management are reluctant to leave given the gratitude they feel towards the team. But if he doesn’t find a permanent spot on the grid for next year, then the door may shut permanently.

There’s no indication that Red Bull could ‘loan’ the 22-year-old out and bring him back at a later date. If he takes the difficult decision to leave, it will likely be final.