Six drivers start the F1 2025 season knowing that they are in the final year of their contracts and that their performances in the opening races could decide their futures.
Those drivers will be hoping to do enough to persuade their current teams to sign them to an extension, or in some cases, maybe attract a bigger team on the grid.
There is the added bonus that the 2026 entry of the new Cadillac team will provide an extra two seats on the grid from next year.
Here, SportsCasting runs you through the six drivers who are out of contract at the end of the 2025 F1 season.
The Six F1 Drivers Out Of Contract At The End Of 2025
George Russell – Mercedes
George Russell will be taking on the role of team leader at Mercedes in 2025 after Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari.
He will be joined by rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli – who he will be expected to comfortably have the measure of this season.
Russell took three wins last season and will be hoping Mercedes put up a title fight in 2025.
However, it is no secret that Mercedes was eyeing up his bitter rival Max Verstappen after Hamilton’s departure.
So should Russell fail to prove himself as a team leader or lose the team battle to rookie Antonelli, Mercedes might look elsewhere.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli arrives into Formula One with a lot of hype after excelling in the junior categories.
Though he only finished sixth in Formula Two last year, big things are still expected from the 18-year-old Italian.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has shown a lot of faith in the youngster. However, stepping in the boots of Lewis Hamilton is a massive challenge.
A lot of eyes will be on Antonelli and whether he will sink or swim during the 2025 F1 season.
He should keep his seat as long as he stays relatively close to his experienced teammate.
Mercedes introduce their 2025 livery for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli 🩶 🖤 pic.twitter.com/JESdWj2rf8
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) February 18, 2025
Liam Lawson – Red Bull
It feels like Liam Lawson has been around a while, though this will be his first full season in Formula One.
He made 11 appearances total across the 2023 and 2024 season stepping in when called upon and impressed doing so.
In 2025, he will look to make the most out of the opportunity of driving a front-running car which has won the last four drivers’ championships.
However, he has the toughest teammate in Formula One, with the likes of Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Sergio Perez all struggling against Max Verstappen.
Red Bull have been ruthless with their driver decisions in the past and Lawson will look to do enough to keep his seat in 2026.
Yuki Tsunoda – Racing Bulls
Yuki Tsunoda was controversially overlooked for the Red Bull seat despite getting the better of Ricciardo and Lawson last year.
He is heading into his fifth season with the Red Bull’s sister squad and Christian Horner has admitted that is likely to be his last.
So 2025 is a make-or-break year for Tsunoda in his attempts to persuade another team to snap him up for next year.
Aston Martin will take on Honda engines next year though the Japanese company has in recent days distanced themselves from Tsunoda.
Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe said in an interview with Motorsport.com: “I want him to make the best choices for himself.
“He’s now in his fifth year, has the ability, and understands the world of F1 well. There’s not much more we can do for him. He needs to solidify his support team, including his manager, and secure the necessary seat. He is a professional, after all.
“Drivers can’t rely on Honda forever. Someone of Tsunoda’s career level needs to think for himself.”
Helmut Marko says Yuki Tsunoda may not have a future in #F1 if he fails to outperform rookie team-mate Isack Hadjar 😬
Meanwhile, Honda warns: "There’s not much more we can do for him" 💬
Read more ⤵️https://t.co/xmQW0fH7I3
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) March 6, 2025
Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls
Isack Hadjar joins the F1 grid in 2025 after an impressive Formula Two season where he finished second in the championship.
He goes up against an experienced and quick Yuki Tsunoda who is fighting for his future in the sport.
Hadjar given his inexperience has less pressure than his teammate but will be determined to prove his worth.
Also should Lawson struggle at Red Bull, he will be keen to do enough to persuade the bosses that he should be promoted to the main team.
Jack Doohan – Alpine
Jack Doohan has only one race start to his name and is already under pressure at Alpine.
There has already been speculation that he could replaced mid-season by Franco Colapinto.
Colapinto impressed at Williams when he stepped in for Logan Sargeant – but they had already signed Carlos Sainz for the 2025 season.
So Doohan will be under pressure immediately to get some good results at Alpine. Not helped when he has a quick and reliable teammate in the form of Pierre Gasly.
When Each F1 Driver Is Out Of Contract
Contracts Expiring In 2025
George Russell – Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
Liam Lawson – Red Bull
Yuki Tsunoda – Racing Bulls
Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls
Jack Doohan – Alpine
Contracts Expiring End Of 2026
Oscar Piastri – McLaren
Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin
Lance Stroll – Aston Martin
Pierre Gasly – Alpine
Oliver Bearman – Haas
Esteban Ocon – Haas
Alex Albon – Williams
Carlos Sainz – Williams
Gabriel Bortoleto – Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg – Sauber
Contracted Until End Of 2027
Lando Norris (Rumoured)
Contracted Until End Of 2028
Max Verstappen
Contracted Until End Of 2029
Charles Leclerc (Rumoured – Ferrari worded his extension as ‘several more seasons’ though reports suggest this is until 2029 with a break clause coming in at the end of 2027)
