The 2024 F1 drivers market has been one for the ages and started even before the on-track action began in March. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton kickstarted the silly season in early February when he announced that he would be departing the German team to join Ferrari, replacing Carlos Sainz from 2025 onwards.
Ever since, the merry-go-round of drivers trying to sort out their future and secure a seat for next year has been a key feature of the season. Although many drivers have been able to find a place for themselves on the grid for 2025, some are still out of contract at the end of the season.
Below is a list of 5 drivers who are out of contract after 2024:
# Daniel Ricciardo- VCARB F1 team
Visa Cash App driver Daniel Ricciardo made a comeback to the sport in the middle of the 2023 season, but straight away injured his hand which took him out for a couple of months. However, he had already secured his contract for 2024 with the Red Bull sister team alongside Yuki Tsunoda.
However, his deal with the team expires at the end of this year, with reports saying that the VCARB F1 team might lean towards signing Liam Lawson with Ricciardo potentially joining Red Bull to replace Sergio Perez. However, there hasn’t been any official confirmation of his future as of yet.
# Kick Sauber drivers – Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu
Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas – Source: Getty
Kick Sauber teammates Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas are both out of contract with the Hinwil-based team for the next team. Only one of the current driver lineup will have the opportunity of extending his contract with the team year as the team has already signed Nico Hulkenberg for 2025 earlier this season.
Bottas might have a better chance of retaining his seat at the team that would become Audi in 2026, given his performances this year, which would see his Chinese teammate lose out on the opportunity to drive next year.
# Kevin Magnussen
Kevin Magnussen – Source: Getty
Haas F1 driver Kevin Magnussen’s contract with the American team ends at the end of this year and the outfit has already confirming its lineup of Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman for 2025.
The Dane, who made a comeback in the sport in 2022 after sitting out 2021, was realistic about his chances of securing a seat elsewhere and said to F1.com:
“I think everything is on the table in that case. So, yeah, it’s hard to… I’ll see what’s available out there and make my mind when I get there. Right now, I’m in Formula 1 and there’s still a couple of seats open for next year that I’d like to see where all that ends up, and then look at things afterwards.”# Logan Sargeant
Logan Sargeant ahead of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix – Source: Getty
Williams F1 driver Logan Sargeant will not be racing with the Grove-based team at the beginning of the 2025 season, as they have already announced Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon as their driver lineup for the next few seasons.
The American had failed to impress the F1 teams on the grid since he made his debut last year and could find himself out of the sport and looking for opportunities in other categories like IndyCar if he is unable to to convince a team to take him on for next year.