The ‘silly season’ in Formula 1 is gaining momentum as teams begin to finalize their 2025 lineups. Haas is reportedly set to reject a substantial financial offer for one of their seats, while Carlos Sainz has shared his ongoing struggle with a persistent perception about his career. Here’s a closer look at the developments.
Sauber has confirmed Nico Hulkenberg for the 2025 season, which puts either Valtteri Bottas or Zhou Guanyu at risk of losing their seat, with the possibility that both may depart. According to well-known F1 journalist Michael Schmidt, Zhou is offering as much as €35 million to secure a seat for 2025. However, Schmidt anticipates that Haas will feature a lineup of Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.
Carlos Sainz Jr., the son of rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr., has made a name for himself in Formula 1 with three race wins. As he prepares for a new chapter starting in 2025, Sainz faces the reality of Lewis Hamilton taking his place at Ferrari. Despite his accomplishments, Sainz continues to hear comments like, “that guy is only there because of his surname,” a sentiment he fears will persist throughout his career.
Sainz is viewed as a pivotal figure in the next phase of the F1 ‘silly season,’ especially by Valtteri Bottas. Bottas is striving to secure his future with Sauber while also exploring other opportunities within the sport. The unfolding decisions and movements around Sainz will likely influence Bottas’s next steps as he navigates his career options.
