F1 boss delivers shock SACK warning to drivers

Toto Wolff and Flavio Briatore — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

F1 boss delivers shock SACK warning to drivers

The 2025 F1 grid is complete

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Sunday 29 December 2024 02:00

A Formula 1 team boss has sent a stark warning to his drivers before the 2025 season has even started.

The grid for 2025 was finally completed this month when Red Bull signed Liam Lawson to their senior team and Isack Hadjar to their junior VCARB team, but drivers have already been warned about their futures.

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Hadjar will replace Liam Lawson next year, after the Kiwi was promoted to Red Bull following the departure of Sergio Perez from the team.

However, as the grid was decided for next year, it also confirmed Franco Colapinto's exit from F1, who will step aside for Carlos Sainz at Williams in 2025.

Red Bull's 2025 lineup has been confirmed

Can Colapinto make a F1 return?

The Argentine driver was originally tipped for a seat at Red Bull, after Christian Horner revealed the team were considering the star, but this option eventuality failed to materialise for Colapinto.

However, one team boss does remain interested in acquiring his signature, following rumours that Alpine were considering Colapinto for next season.

The French team will field a lineup of Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan in 2025 but their chief, Flavio Briatore, has since stated that if they do not provide results they could make a change.

“I am interested in any driver who is fast. Colapinto surprised everyone,” Briatore said to Auto Motor und Sport.

Flavio Briatore discusses Franco Colapinto signing

“The only thing that is certain is death.”

“We will start the year with Pierre [Gasly] and Jack [Doohan], I guarantee it. Then, we will see during the season,” he added.

“I have to put the stable in a condition to obtain results and the driver is the one who must finish the work of the almost thousand people behind him.

“They all work for only two people. And if there is a driver who does not progress, who does not bring me results, I change him.”

Red Bull Sergio Perez Carlos Sainz Liam Lawson Williams Alpine