BREAKING: F1 team announce contract update with mandatory

F1 team announce contract update with mandatory clause confirmed

Formula 1 teams have recently made significant updates regarding contracts, revealing key clauses ahead of the 2025 season.

The 2024 ‘silly season’ has just concluded, with the final moves for next year’s grid confirmed following a late reshuffle by Red Bull and their junior team, VCARB. This series of changes brought an end to a season of speculation over driver line-ups, with the most notable move being Red Bull’s decision to part ways with Sergio Perez. The Mexican driver’s disappointing performances throughout the season led to his replacement by Liam Lawson, who will now compete for the senior team. Additionally, Isack Hadjar, a standout performer in Formula 2, has been promoted to the junior Red Bull team, where he will partner with Yuki Tsunoda.

These final decisions from Red Bull and VCARB seemed to have secured the grid for the 2025 season, but recent comments from Alpine F1’s executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, have reignited the rumour mill and raised questions about the future of one of their drivers. Briatore revealed that Alpine is considering the possibility of dropping their rookie driver, Jack Doohan, during the 2025 season. The Australian driver, who is set to make his full F1 debut next year, was signed as part of Alpine’s new direction for the team. However, Briatore’s comments suggest that the team is not committed to giving him a full season unless he proves himself. According to Briatore, Alpine will closely monitor Doohan’s performances throughout the season, and should he fail to meet expectations, there is a risk of him being replaced before the end of the year.

This statement from Briatore has created speculation that Alpine may be looking for other options if Doohan does not perform up to the team’s standards. It also casts a shadow over the driver’s future with the team, especially considering the competitiveness and high stakes in Formula 1. With drivers constantly under pressure to perform, the possibility of an early exit is a harsh reality in the sport.

These developments, combined with the high turnover of drivers in recent years, illustrate the ever-changing dynamics within F1 teams as they strive to secure the best talent. While Alpine’s decision to include performance clauses in Doohan’s contract is not unusual, the public nature of Briatore’s comments has certainly sparked more interest in how the driver will handle the pressure and whether he can meet the team’s expectations.

As the 2024 season draws to a close, attention now shifts to 2025, with Alpine’s decision on Doohan potentially setting the stage for further changes and shifts in the driver market. For now, all eyes will be on the young Australian’s performances as he embarks on his F1 career.