The F1 drivers out of contract at the end of 2024 season (2024)

Eight of this year’s F1 drivers still have contracts that expire at the end of 2024, despite a flurry of recent deals that include Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez extending their current deals, Nico Hülkenberg moving from Haas to Sauber; and Fernando Alonso remaining at Aston Martin. Esteban Ocon has now also announced his departure from Alpine at the end of the season, following on from a controversial clash with team-mate Pierre Gasly in Monaco.

In contrast to last year,when there were no end-of-season driver changes for the first time in history, most of this year’s grid were looking for a new contract at the start of 2024, and the action began early, with contract extensions for Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, before Hamilton announced his blockbuster move to Ferrari next season.

There’s even more at stake than usual, as drivers and teams look ahead to a rule shake-up in 2026 when new power units and chassis regulations are introduced. It’s likely to see a reshuffle in F1’s performance order, which could suddenly see a midfield team fighting for the title. Making the right move now could be a world championship-winning decision for one driver — if they manage to pick the right team.

At the moment, the 2024 driver market remains full of uncertainty. Who’s staying or going? Who could trigger the big moves? And who could be packing their bags to leave F1?

Here are all of the F1 drivers still needing to secure their futures this season.

All drivers out of contract for 2025

Carlos Sainz

Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari in 2025 and a contract extension for Charles Leclerc leaves Carlos Sainz without a seat next year.

Taking Hamilton’s old Mercedes seat in a straight swap would have been appealing to the two-time grand prix winner, but Sainz has recently been told that he’s out of the frame, with Mercedes’ eye on the its junior driver, Kimi Antonelli. Red Bull is also thought to have appealed, but Sergio Perez’s contract extension has closed that route off — unless Verstappen decides to leave early amid an unsettled atmosphere at the team.

That leaves Sauber as one prime option. Audi will buy into the team in 2026, bringing its might to the Hinwil operation, and has already been linked with Sainz. It also helps that his father, Carlos Sainz Sr, also drives for the team, most recently winning this year’s Dakar rally.

It looks to be a landing spot with promise, if Audi’s backing can help produce a competitive car for 2026’s new set of regulations. Sainz Jr could position himself to become the experienced team leader for Audi’s inaugural season. Would he be prepared to endure a spell at the back of the grid in 2025 ahead of Audi’s involvement?

If not, then Williams may beckon. The Mercedes engine and a turnaround led by team boss James Vowles has been tipped to be a surprise package in 2026, while the team’s talks with Adrian Newey show where it’s setting its sights.

Pierre Gasly

Alpine

Underwhelming would be the word to describe Alpine as of late, with new arrival Pierre Gasly flying under the radar in 2023 and 2024. Gasly’s contract with the Enstone team runs till the end of the new season, with a reported option for 2025.

With Ocon now set to depart at the end of the season, Alpine may now aim to secure Gasly quickly with a bumper extension that would ensure they have a French talisman leading the team. But should the team remain in the doldrums of mediocrity in 2024 and beyond, he may be tempted elsewhere.

Esteban Ocon

Alpine

A week after Ocon’s ambitious overtaking move on his team-mate led to contact in Monaco — putting Ocon out of the race — the driver announced that he would be parting ways with Alpine at the end of the 2024 season.

Team principal Bruno Famin had stated at the time of the crash between Ocon and his team-mate Pierre Gasly, that there would be “consequences” and that he would be forced to make a “very tough decision.” The timing of the announcement is unlikely to be coincidence.

The Frenchman is still a member of the Mercedes driver academy, which means he could be in with a shout of securing a seat next to George Russell for next season — should Kimi Antonelli not get there first. With seats at other front-running outfits such as Ferrari and McLaren already filled, Ocon’s options are likely to be limited to the midfield of Haas, Williams or Sauber. Although competition for each seat will be extremely tight.

Logan Sargeant

Williams

Having scraped through 2023 to stay on the grid for 2024, the young American will be wary of the threat to his seat. Sargeant is out of contract at the end of the season and with Williams looking to build upon its improved 2023 campaign, it will be demanding a higher level of performance in his second year.

If that isn’t forthcoming, Williams’ Zak O’Sullivan is now in Formula 2 presenting a possible replacement, as well as 2022 F2 champion Felipe Drugovich who is still searching for a full-time F1 drive. Mercedes young driver Kimi Antonelli has also been linked with the seat.

But Williams also has more experienced options, including Carlos Sainz — if he can be convinced that the team has a good chance of leapfrogging rivals in 2026.

Daniel Ricciardo

Visa Cash App RB

Ricciardo’s return to AlphaTauri halfway through 2023 would not been on everyone’s bingo card. It didn’t take long for him to prove that he belongs on the F1 grid though, and he earned a contract extension to see him until the end of 2024.

The clear target for Ricciardo was the second Red Bull seat of Sergio Perez, but his early form in 2024 for the now-renamed RB team dealt a blow to those chances, which were then ended by Perez’s contract extension.

He was outqualified by team-mate Yuki Tsunoda for the first four races of the year and looked to be slower on race pace too. However, a fresh chassis for the Chinese Grand Prix reversed that pattern, and he’ll be hoping that it unlocks the pace that was previously envied by teams up and down the grid.

Zhou Guanyu

Sauber

Having become a reliable choice for Alfa Romeo (now Stake F1), Zhou signed a one-season extension for the rebranded outfit last year. Zhou and teammate Valtteri Bottas have become a solid pairing despite the disappointing car they were delivered last season, but his long-term place in F1 looks under serious threat.

Looming over the team is Audi’s imminent takeover from 2026 onwards. Nico Hülkenberg has already been signed for next year and beyond, leaving one seat at the team available. Even that may be closed off, as with Carlos Sainz thought to be pondering an offer to join the team.

Valtteri Bottas

Sauber

Everyone’s favourite calendar model has his eyes set on an Audi drive as his contract approaches expiration at the end of 2024. Sauber has underwhelmed in its previous Alfa Romeo form over the last few years, but Bottas has proven himself as an experienced and well-liked figurehead within the team.

That may not be enough, however, with Nico Hülkenberg already signed for next year and Carlos Sainz understood to be in the frame too. F1 veteran Bottas will be well aware of the shifting sands as the team approaches the Audi takeover, and will no doubt be looking elsewhere as well as making his case within the team — assuming he’s keen to continue.

Kevin Magnussen

Haas

Having secured Haas’s first-ever pole position in 2022, Magnussen faced a difficult 2023 with a car that didn’t suit him, costing him valuable places in qualifying.

He still secured a one-year extension to see him through 2024, but much is different ahead of 2025. Former team principal Guenther Steiner is out, and owner Gene Haas is looking to make the team bolder and more ambitious. While Nico Hülkenberg’s confirmed move to Sauber next year eases the pressure slightly on Magnussen, his seat is far from certain.

Ferrari Academy driver Oliver Bearman has been strongly linked with the team, following on from his impressive stand-in stint for Carlos Sainz in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix earlier this year, and Haas may decide to pair him with the experienced Magnussen. But, as the focus shifts towards 2026, the team may decide that it’s future rests in the hands of somebody else.