By: Khadija Abd-Elhamid
Formula 1 is widely considered the pinnacle of motorsport. The fast-paced, drama filled races pique the interest of people around the world. Viewers tune in to watch Grand Prixs, where 20 drivers vie for the championship title. However, often, the action occurs not only on track but behind the scenes. The changes of drivers within the sport, often in surprising and exciting ways, are known by fans as the ‘silly season’. The competitiveness and prestige of the sport makes this aspect just as important as the on track action, changing an ever-changing battle of wills.
Formula 1 is made up of 10 teams, each with a different constructor building the car. These teams include famous brands like Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren, while others, like Red Bull Racing, are more unconventional. Each team consists of two drivers, as well as a team of engineers, mechanics, and specialists. There are two potential championships to compete for: the Constructors’ Championship, to determine the best car, and the Drivers’ Championship. These championships occur during the race season, which now covers 24 races – the longest it has ever been.
In 2024, the ‘silly season’ began before the cars even reached the racetrack. One of the biggest names in F1, Lewis Hamilton, announced he would be leaving his spot on the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team to join Ferrari for the 2025 season. Why does this matter if it’s a year away? Firstly, Lewis Hamilton is regarded as one of the greats in the sport of racing. He holds the record for the most world championship wins, most of which have been with Mercedes. For years, he and the team were one and the same, staying together through the highs and the lows of the sport. The British driver has built a reputation both in and out of the sport, becoming a celebrity in the truest sense; an example of which being that he will be a co-chair of the upcoming Met Gala of 2025. Hamilton brought attention to both the sport and himself.
In addition to the reputation of Lewis Hamiton, Ferrari is one of the most iconic teams in motorsport. Ferrari is the only team to compete in every championship since the sport’s creation in 1950, being a front runner for decades. They have housed some of the greatest drivers, including Michael Schumacher, the driver who holds the championship record with Hamilton. It is considered a great honor to drive under Ferrari, so the pairing of the two legends under the same team was a rousing statement. The report also caused chaos within the fanbase due to Hamilton being the replacement to the Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. The three time race winner is viewed as one of the most skilled and logical drivers on the grid.
Sainz began his F1 career at Toro Rosso (now VCARB), Red Bull’s sister team, alongside current championship leader Max Verstappen. He moved to the Renault (now Alpine) and McLaren teams until eventually joining Ferrari in the 2021 season. The Spanish driver has become a fan favorite for his talent and cleverness on the track. When news broke that he would now be jobless for the 2025 season, people were unsure where he would end up. This is where the “silly” in “silly season” comes into play. A great deal of theories spouted up; there were hints of Sainz returning to his Red Bull origins, or him being Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes. The Spaniard, affectionately referred to by fans as ‘Chili’, took his time exploring options for different contracts at different teams. Eventually, four months into the season, Sainz made his decision. To the chagrin of many of his fans, Sainz joined the Williams Racing team.
Many see this as a downgrade, as Williams has been pinned at the back of the grid in the past few years. However, they have scored points in the last few races, hinting at a comeback in the next few seasons. Sainz will team up with English driver Alex Albon, an individual adored for both his technique as well as his calm and collected attitude. Sainz’s switch was a gamble, but only time will tell if it pays off.
New faces will also join the grid in 2025, including drivers such as Jack Doohan, Kimi Antonelli, and Liam Lawson. Jack Doohan, an Australian, has been a reserve driver for Alpine F1 team and he will be promoted to a seat next year. Kimi Antonelli, an 18-year old driver from Italy, will be promoted from F2, the feeder series for F1. He will take Hamilton’s empty Mercedes seat. After only being in F2 for one year, his impressive rise at such a young age marks him as a rising star in the sport. Liam Lawson, known for his love of the movie Cars, will join VCARB, replacing fan favorite Daniel Riccardo. Riccardo’s cheery attitude and cheeky comments has gained him popularity over the years. He lost his seat in 2023 but gained it back midseason. Formula 1 is also saying goodbye to American driver Logan Sargent, Kevin Magnussen, and possibly Valterri Bottass and Zhou Guanyu.
The world of F1 is a rabbit hole, from car mechanics to driver drama, where the action never stops. It truly is a spectacle, with the best of the best fighting for the crown. This was only a glimpse of the yearly action that makes up Formula 1. There are still 6 Grand Prixs left in the 2024 season, with the next being in Austin, Texas on October 20. If you’re free, tune in! You might just discover a new love for the world of racing.
