F1's "silly season" could have several surprises

It's time for Formula One's daring drivers, overworked engineers, and harried team bosses to relax. At least in theory.

With four weeks until the next race, including a mandatory 14-day shutdown of all racing operations starting next week, the World Championship season is on hold.

This is what is known in F1 as the “silly season,” the time when contract talks fill the void.

It often seemed like the "silly season" was starting early amid feverish speculation about a possible Red Bull-Mercedes exit for four-time champion Max Verstappen. Now that Verstappen has confirmed he's staying with Red Bull, other decisions—such as contract renewals at Mercedes—could be accelerated.

Russell in Mercedes

Most F1 teams saw the sweeping rule changes for 2026 coming and secured key drivers long contract extensions last year, or even the year before.

The idea was to secure experienced drivers who could help with development throughout 2025, so that the very different cars of 2026 wouldn't be a surprise.

Mercedes does things a little differently.

In addition to considering a possible move for Verstappen, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has delayed contract extensions for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, who are not confirmed beyond 2025.

Both went through Mercedes' young driver program, which helped them through the junior series and seemingly gives the team more control over their careers.

“Mercedes also manages me, so there’s really no deadline on my hands as such,” Russell, a four-time Grand Prix winner, said last month, acknowledging he had not had any talks with other teams.

Antonelli started his debut F1 season strongly, but the 18-year-old Italian's form has gradually declined.

Seats at Red Bull

Verstappen's decision has taken a lot of pressure off, but Red Bull's parent company still has three spots to fill: one at Red Bull and two at Racing Bulls. It's unclear who will make the final decision, and when, after veteran team principal Christian Horner was fired.

If the logic behind letting go of ineffective Mexican Sergio Perez last year was that any Red Bull replacement would do better, it has been proven wrong.

Liam Lawson lasted two races as Verstappen's teammate, and Yuki Tsunoda has only scored points in three of the 12 race weekends since his promotion. The team's engine partnership with Honda ends this year, which could affect the Honda-backed Tsunoda's place.

French rookie Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls has outperformed both Tsunoda and Lawson this season and could be the favorite for the Red Bull seat.

The FIA made an exception to grant Arvid Lindblad, a Red Bull-backed Formula 2 driver, his superlicense in June before his 18th birthday.

Cadillac waits

“Actually, that’s a nice seat… I wouldn’t mind.”

Valtteri Bottas' comments in a social media parody in June praising a Cadillac road car went viral and cemented him in the minds of many fans as the favorite to join the new General Motors-backed team in 2026.

Bottas and “Checo” Pérez are both F1 race winners, popular with fans, who had disappointing 2024 seasons and are not competing in 2025.

His experience could be a boost for a new team, although other options that have been mentioned include Zhou Guanyu, a former Sauber driver and Ferrari reserve who could attract sponsors from China, or Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher and a former Haas driver.

The Alpine Carousel

Alpine benched outgoing Esteban Ocon for Jack Doohan for the final race of 2024, then dropped Doohan for Argentine Franco Colapinto six races into 2025.

Given that neither Doohan nor Colapinto have scored a point for Alpine, it's perhaps unsurprising that the team hasn't confirmed who will partner Pierre Gasly next year.

One option is Alpine reserve Paul Aron, who would be the first Estonian in Formula One.— AP