Sargeant has been under pressure, exaggerated by crashes, from critics to perform, something that saw Nyck De Vries make way for Daniel Ricciardo earlier this season. But does Williams have an alternative? The team’s perspective is that they’d certainly like to keep Sargeant, as one of their academy drivers, they have put a lot of effort into developing him.
The other options also don’t seem to make much sense for the team. Firstly, Liam Lawson. A driver who has been a fantastic stand-in for Ricciardo, after he broke his hand at the Dutch Grand Prix. However, Lawson is engrained in the Red Bull development program, and the noises from Red Bull suggest that there will be space for him in Red Bull or Alpha Tauri in 2025. Williams would be unlikely to want to take him for one season. The other names thrown around, F2 Champions Mick Schumacher and Felipe Drugovich feel just as unlikely. So, a sophomore year for Sargeant, alongside Albon, could be exactly what he needs. That would be my prediction of the outcome.
What seems evidently more interesting is the driver market for next season, with 75% of the grid currently out of contract come the season’s end. Red Bull seems the most likely to cause chaos.
What seems more interesting is next season, with 75% of the grid currently out of contract come the season’s end
Across the main Red Bull team and Alpha Tauri, they have 3 open seats, one at Red Bull alongside Verstappen, and a further 2 at Alpha Tauri. A 4-way fight awaits them for that seat alongside Max, with Lawson, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, and Perez all keen to work their way to either getting or staying in that seat. Lawson’s recent performances show he absolutely deserves a place on the grid, but does Ricciardo? Red Bull certainly believe so, with Ricciardo being chosen over Lawson to replace De Vries. Clearly, they have the data to show they are happy to give Ricciardo an opportunity to return to the front of the grid, but with only 2 races in his return so far, the jury is still out on whether Daniel can get back to his best. I certainly see it as being possible.
A lot is also riding on Perez. Given the dominance of Red Bull’s RB19, anything less than runner-up in the championship will be seen as a missed opportunity by the team. A poor weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix certainly doesn’t help his case. While I don’t think they’d move to eject Perez immediately, it could really put Perez on the clock, particularly if Ricciardo returns and puts in some mighty performances for the rest of the season.
the jury is still out on whether Daniel can get back to his best
But where does that leave the rest? Given Aston Martin is partnering with Honda from 2026 as a works engine supplier, it seems likely they will try and bring Tsunoda into the Aston project. If Alonso does stick around to the new engine regulations in 2026, where does that leave Lance Stroll? Stroll has struggled up against Alonso this season, and given where they started this year, Stroll’s performances have not helped their slow decline down the championship standings, with McLaren next to jump past the Silverstone-based team. It’s unlikely also, based on these performances, that Stroll would have a future at any other team on the grid. Only Mercedes (Hamilton and Russell) and McLaren (Norris and Piastri) have both their drivers tied down beyond 2024, alongside Verstappen at Red Bull.
While the driver market this season has been very boring, next season is the one to watch, and I for one, will be watching it intently.
