New Delhi: Sports has seen a lot of goodbyes this year, in particular tennis and football. F1 may not have seen as many retirements, but nevertheless, it has been a season of farewells. It started with Lewis Hamilton, who after ending his association with Mercedes, in January, was announced as the Ferrari driver to race alongside Charles Leclerc in the 2025 season.
As Max Verstappen kept getting challenged for a stake in the fourth Championship title, the story in the paddock had many surprises in store, and the changes were not just limited to driver changes. Of course, everyone’s perfect retirement would be like Sebastian Vettel or Michael Schumacher, going out on their terms. However, Formula One can be a brutal competition and this season saw the brutality at its peak.
Daniel Ricciardo
BREAKING: Daniel Ricciardo to leave RB, the team have announced#F1 pic.twitter.com/dWK02446hM
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 26, 2024
One of the most shocking news in F1 came as Daniel Ricciardo’s dismissal from the RB Racing team. It marks the second time he has been fired from the parent company of the Red Bull team. Ricciardo’s first stint at Red Bull was between 2014 and 2018 when he raced alongside Sebastian Vettel.
In 2018, Ricciardo announced his surprise move to Renault after not having a good season with Red Bull while driving alongside Max Verstappen. Ricciardo came back to the team back in 2023, having signed with the RB F1 team. It was confirmed that he had potentially signed as the third driver to the parent team and would be the one to replace Sergio Perez. However, after the Singapore GP, Ricciardo’s exit was announced and the 35-year-old has since mentioned his reluctance to return to Formula One.
Sergio Perez
Gracias por todo Checo 💙
After four successful seasons together, Sergio Pérez and Oracle Red Bull Racing have reached an agreement to part ways for 2025. pic.twitter.com/NAZFN87aKi
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) December 18, 2024
Another Red Bull second-seat tragedy. Sergio Perez was one of the prime reasons for Vestarppen’s 2021 Championship wins. Perez had started his season well, continuing his touch from 2023, however, as both Red Bull teams started facing uncertainties and problems race after race, it was Perez who suffered the most perhaps.
In June, the Mexican driver got his contract extended with Red Bull for two years. However, a string of poor races meant that Red Bull were out of the race for the Constructors Championship with his last race ending in retirement before the competition of the first lap. It was expected that Perez would race for the last time in the Abu Dhabi race and now has been replaced by Liam Lawson.
Kevin Magnussen
You leave a legend in our eyes Kevin 👊❤️
Watch Kevin Magnussen: The Final Farewell Chat in full on YouTube 🔗👇#HaasF1 #F1 | @KevinMagnussen pic.twitter.com/Pz8pO6XzpH
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) December 9, 2024
Kevin Magnussen’s two stints at Hass haven’t seen him exit gracefully and have been one tale of struggle. At the end of the 2020 season, Hass decided to part ways with both of its drivers. However, due to the political climate, Magnussen was brought back to replace the Russian driver Nikita Mazepin back in 2022. Magnussen in the season handed Hass their first-ever pole position; however, the 2023 season was a low point for the Danish driver.
Though Magnussen’s contract was extended for a year, it became clear that Hass’s plan to be bolder in the coming season doesn’t include the 32-year-old. Ferrari academy driver Oliver Berman is now replacing him and will race alongside Esteban Ocon. Magnussen, on the other hand, has signed as a works driver for BMW M Motorsport in 2025.
Zhou Guanyu
“I just want to thank everyone in the team and among the fans for their support over the last three years—it’s truly been a pleasure. Now it’s on to the next chapter for me, but I also wish the team all the very best for the future.” – @ZhouGuanyu24 💚#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/3Kbx47hVb5
— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) December 8, 2024
Zhou Guanyu had signed a season extension last year for the new brand of Stake F1 Sauber Team. Along with his teammate Valtteri Bottas, Zhou was able to make some remarkable performances despite the poor condition of their cars. However, both drivers are without contract at the end of the season.
They have been now replaced by Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of their rebrand to Audi in 2026. There are no places for Zhou in the Formula One grid and the only possibility is that he will be seen in a reserve role in the upcoming season, with many speculating that he could be part of the new Cadillac team that enters F1 in 2026.
Valtteri Bottas
BREAKING: Valtteri Bottas returns to Mercedes
He will take the role of reserve driver at the Silver Arrows #F1 pic.twitter.com/q82DZI8ZIm
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 19, 2024
Valtteri Bottas’s departure from Mercedes in 2021 had a dramatic effect on his performance. Mercedes haven’t been at the dominating best either with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton duo not bringing their earlier success consistently. Bottas on the other hand would have liked to stay with Sauber grid but will now have to leave the team at the completion of the season like his teammate.
Bottas, though, in recent years has been a widely liked figure in social media and has become a fan favourite. This is why perhaps Mercedes sought to bring him in a reserve role, making him an ambassador for the team and would be a brilliant substitute for both Russell and the new Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli in any absence during the 2025 season.
After the completion of a thrilling season in the Formula One, here’s a look at the drivers who will be without a contract or will be missing from the paddock in the 2025 season. Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
