F1 Chief Sends Stark Warning to Drivers...

F1 Chief Sends Stark Warning to Drivers…read more

The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to bring some significant changes to the grid, with a number of driver moves shaking up the lineup. These changes are accompanied by serious warnings from team bosses about the high-performance expectations on drivers.

One of the biggest moves of the upcoming season is Red Bull’s decision to promote Liam Lawson to their senior team. Lawson, who impressed during his stint as a stand-in driver in 2023, will replace Sergio Perez. In a reshuffling of Red Bull’s junior program, Isack Hadjar will step into Lawson’s place in the VCARB team, Red Bull’s development squad. These changes reflect the team’s drive to constantly improve and ensure they have the best drivers in place for future success.

However, the reshuffling also marks the end of Franco Colapinto’s F1 aspirations for now. The Argentine driver, once a potential candidate for a seat at Red Bull, failed to secure a place on the 2024 grid. Despite significant interest from Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, Colapinto was ultimately not able to make the cut. As a result, he will not race in Formula 1 next season.

Colapinto’s exit, however, does not mean his career is over. The young driver’s talent has caught the eye of Alpine, with the French team reportedly still keeping an interest in his future. Although he may not be on the grid for 2024, there is a possibility that Colapinto could return to Formula 1 if the right opportunity arises.

One of the more notable moves in the 2025 season is Carlos Sainz joining Williams. Sainz, who will replace Colapinto, has been a fixture at Ferrari, but his transfer to Williams marks a fresh challenge in his career. His arrival is seen as part of Williams’ ongoing push to improve their performance and return to competitiveness in the sport.

Alpine, under the leadership of Flavio Briatore, has already set the tone for its drivers in the 2025 season. The French team will start the season with Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan, but Briatore has made it clear that their positions are not guaranteed. Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, Briatore emphasized that while Gasly and Doohan would begin the season as the team’s main drivers, any underperformance would not be tolerated.

Briatore, known for his no-nonsense approach to team management, has warned that if results fall short, changes will be made. The team principal was blunt in stating, “The driver is the one who must finish the work of the almost thousand people behind him. If there is a driver who does not progress or deliver results, I will replace him.” This statement reflects the immense pressure drivers face in F1, where performance is the ultimate measure of success.

Briatore’s comments also reflected his admiration for Colapinto’s abilities, despite the Argentine’s failure to secure a seat for the upcoming season. Briatore acknowledged Colapinto’s talents and indicated that he would not rule out bringing him into the team if the right circumstances arose. His openness to mid-season changes suggests that no driver, not even those who start the season in a secure position, can afford to become complacent.

The intense pressure on drivers is part of the ever-evolving nature of Formula 1, where even the smallest mistake or drop in form can lead to a driver losing their seat. With teams constantly seeking improvement and pushing their drivers to deliver results, the 2025 season promises to be fiercely competitive. It is clear that team principals like Briatore will not hesitate to make changes if the performance expectations are not met.

As the grid for the 2025 season takes shape, all eyes are on the upcoming lineup. For some drivers, like Colapinto, there is still hope of a return to the sport. But for others, the 2025 season represents an opportunity to prove themselves—or risk being replaced. With the stakes higher than ever, it is certain that the coming season will be a thrilling and unpredictable one, full of drama both on and off the track.