The world of Formula One is buzzing with anticipation and speculation as several major storylines converge during the 2025 season. Not only are fans witnessing seasoned champions like Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen push the boundaries of motorsport, but the paddock is also abuzz over the uncertain futures of six drivers who have yet to secure contracts for 2026. With new regulations looming and the sport’s landscape set for dramatic change, the stakes have rarely been higher.
One of the most talked-about narratives this week centers on Fernando Alonso’s admiration for Max Verstappen’s relentless passion for racing beyond the confines of Formula 1. Alonso, no stranger to venturing outside the premier class himself, recently shared his thoughts on Verstappen’s extracurricular exploits and even hinted at the possibility of joining forces with the Dutch star in endurance racing. "I did two years and I will do in the future. I don’t know in what intensity but in the future I will do [some]," Alonso stated, reflecting on his own stints at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indy 500, and the grueling Dakar Rally.
Alonso’s appreciation for the purity and excitement of racing outside F1 was clear. "I’m a big fan of motorsport outside Formula 1. I think it’s more pure, more clean, more fun," said the Aston Martin driver. For Alonso, endurance events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans represent the pinnacle of motorsport, offering a unique challenge and camaraderie. "Endurance racing is a fun part of motorsport where you share the track with different categories with different drivers and you share your car also with other drivers and one day if there is an opportunity for sure we will explore it."
His remarks came hot on the heels of Verstappen’s own triumph outside F1. The Dutchman, a four-time world champion, recently claimed his first-ever GT3 victory at the legendary Nordschleife circuit. Starting third on the grid, Verstappen wasted no time seizing the lead during his two-hour stint before handing the car over to Chris Lulham, who brought home the duo’s debut win. This success only fueled speculation that Verstappen is eager to test his mettle in other racing disciplines, with Alonso suggesting, "He did great, but his talent is beyond question. Obviously I think he wants to try something different from Formula 1 right now or even in the future. The 24-hour races are the pinnacle of endurance racing."
While these legends contemplate their next moves, the 2025 Formula One grid is facing a shake-up of its own. No fewer than six drivers are currently without confirmed seats for the 2026 season, casting a shadow of uncertainty as the sport prepares for a new era of regulations. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson, and Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda all find themselves in contract limbo.
The 2026 season promises a radical shift, with cars powered equally by internal combustion and electric power. Teams are weighing whether to stick with proven talent or take a gamble on new faces and fresh potential. For the drivers on the bubble, every race is a chance to prove their worth – or risk being left behind when the music stops.
Among the six, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have made the strongest cases for retention. Russell, who sits fourth in the Drivers’ Standings with 237 points, is just 36 points shy of Verstappen’s 273 in third. Eight podium finishes and two victories have solidified his reputation as a consistent front-runner. It seems only a matter of time before Mercedes locks him in for another season, especially after his role in helping the team overtake Ferrari for second in the Constructors’ Championship behind McLaren.
Antonelli, meanwhile, has emerged as the standout rookie of the year. With 88 points and a maiden podium finish in Canada, the 18-year-old Italian is seventh in the standings. His season hasn’t been without setbacks – four DNFs have been a thorn in his side – but his raw speed and resilience have impressed both fans and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. The consensus in the paddock is that Antonelli will continue with the Silver Arrows, though nothing is set in stone just yet.
Isack Hadjar is another rookie making waves. The 21-year-old Racing Bulls driver secured a surprise podium with third at the Dutch Grand Prix and currently holds ninth in the standings with 39 points. With just one DNF to his name, Hadjar’s reliability and flashes of brilliance have made him a candidate for a contract extension – and even a possible promotion to Red Bull, should the team decide to shake things up for 2026. However, such a move remains speculative for now.
Yuki Tsunoda’s fortunes have taken a turn for the worse since his promotion to Red Bull ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. The Japanese driver has struggled to adapt to the RB21, slipping to seventeenth in the standings with just 20 points. His best result, a sixth-place finish in Azerbaijan, feels like a distant memory. Given Red Bull’s high standards and the impending regulatory overhaul, Tsunoda’s seat is anything but secure as the season winds down.
Liam Lawson, who swapped places with Tsunoda and now drives for Racing Bulls, has had a mixed campaign. Four DNFs have hampered his progress, but a best finish of fifth in Azerbaijan and a total of 30 points have kept him in the conversation for a 2026 contract. Racing Bulls may opt for continuity to further evaluate his potential, but the competition for seats is fierce.
Franco Colapinto rounds out the list of drivers under pressure. After impressing as a Williams reserve last year, the Argentine has struggled to make an impact at Alpine. Replaced by Jack Doohan in May, Colapinto was given a five-race audition but has yet to score a point, with his best finish being eleventh at the Dutch Grand Prix. With six races remaining in the season, Colapinto’s window to secure his F1 future is rapidly closing.
The coming weeks will be pivotal, not just for these six drivers but for the entire sport. The looming regulatory changes add an extra layer of intrigue, as teams and drivers alike prepare for a radically different Formula One. Will experience win out, or will teams roll the dice on new talent? And could fans soon see the dream pairing of Alonso and Verstappen at Le Mans, bringing together two of racing’s most passionate competitors?
For now, the paddock remains on edge, the rumor mill in overdrive, and every on-track performance under the microscope. With six races left, the only certainty is that nothing is certain – and that’s just the way Formula One fans like it.
