FORMULA ONE is back for another year – which means that new cars will be driven by new drivers for the new season.
has been the focal point of throughout the last 12 months, switching from the Silver Arrows of to the famous red of for 2025.
Hamilton's departure left a seat open at the eight-time Constructors champions,
In total, there have been ten driver changes ahead of the 2025 season.
The first driver change of the season came up just two weeks, as Liam Lawson was dropped by Red Bull in place of Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Driver line-ups
McLaren: Lando Norris / Oscar Piastri
Ferrari:Lewis Hamilton / Charles Leclerc
Red Bull: Max Vertsappen / Yuki Tsunoda*
Mercedes: George Russell / Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Aston Martin: Lance Stroll / Fernando Alonso
Alpine: Pierre Gasly / Jack Doohan
Haas: Esteban Ocon / Oliver Bearman
Racing Bulls: Isack Hadjar / Liam Lawson*
Williams: Alex Albon / Carlos Sainz
Sauber: Nico Hulkenberg / Gabriel Bortoleto
*Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsuonda switched teams ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix
How many drivers have switched team ahead of the 2025 F1 season?
There have been TEN driver changes ahead of the 2025 season, in one of the most hectic winters of all time.
The most high profile switch was Lewis Hamilton, as he joined Ferrari from Mercedes, and Kimi Antonelli took his seat at the Silver Arrows.
Carlos Sainz got the boot from the Prancing Horse, but his talents were too good to ignore, as Williams picked him up for the 2025 season.
has had a host of drivers pair with him, Sergio Perez was the most successful, but did not survive a poor 2024 season, which saw Red Bull drop the Constructors' Championship.
Liam Lawson took his place, and partners Max Verstappen.
However, Liam Lawson lasted only two races in the Red Bull, and was sent back to Racing Bulls and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.
Rookie Isack Hadjar had started the season with Tsuonda, but now teams with Lawson.
The unlikely pairing of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon were split up for the 2025 season, with Jack Doohan joining Alpine, and Ocon joining Haas.
Ocon is part of an all new line-up at Haas, as Oliver Bearman also joins him.
Haas were not the only team to completely change, as Sauber sent Valterri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu packing for Nico Hulkenberg and Formula 2 winner Gabriel Bortoleto.
Only McLaren and Aston Martin go into 2025 with the same drivers they went in 2024 with.
How to watch F1 in 2025
- Formula One will come to viewers live on Sky Sports F1, as the broadcaster retains the rights to show the racing in the UK.
- However, there will be free highlights after the races have finished on Channel 4, or on the Sky Sports YouTube channel.
- Alternatively, SunSport will blog select races throughout the season.
