Formula 1 as we know it could look vastly different in years to come with a host of retirements, new faces and even drastic team shifts predicted to take place
Formula 1 as we know it could look vastly different in years to come with a host of retirements, new faces and even drastic team shifts predicted to take place Formula 1 as we know it could look vastly different in years to come with a host of retirements, new faces and even drastic team shifts predicted to take place
The 2024 Formula 1 season is coming to a head and it’s looking likely that Max Verstappen will seal his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship.
While F1 has been dominated by the Dutch ace’s brilliance in recent years, there are a host of promising races who could usurp Verstappen in the near future. Whether it’s Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri or another young contender, F1 is set to be competitive for some time yet.
However, according to AI, a vision of the sport five years down the line throws up some major surprises, some familiar sights and even some game-changing controversies and moves. Whether it’s some of your favourite drivers retiring or the next bright young thing stealing a seat from a legend, this future of F1 is a fascinating insight into how the sport could look.
While 2024 looks set for a predictable end, let’s take a look at something less foreseen – what Formula 1 will look like in 2029. So, from grid starters to new teams and new faces, here’s what AI thinks the F1 starting grid will look like in five years’ time.
Red Bull
Verstappen could have had plenty more world titles by 2029. AI believes that his fierce competitive spirit and strong connection with Red Bull means he could still be leading the line for them and will most likely add to his tally of championships.
His partner could take the form of Liam Lawson. Currently Red Bull’s reserve driver, Lawson is tipped to switch to full-time, and while he’s not yet confirmed for the 2025 grid just yet, he has been heavily linked with taking Sergio Perez’s seat to take a place alongside Verstappen in what could be a long-lasting duo.
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Mercedes
George Russell is likely to remain a vital part of Mercedes’ future. The Brit will be entering his prime by 2029 and will become the team’s leading driver next year.
One of Mercedes’ rising stars from the junior ranks, 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli, will step up alongside him in 2025. The Italian is viewed as having major promise, meaning Russell and Antonelli could form a partnership for years to come.
Ferrari
Leclerc could very well remain the Prancing Horse’s star driver in five years’ time. Perhaps more mature, and with the possibility of a championship in his back pocket, the Monegasque will be 32 in 2029, and with AI convinced that he could succeed in a car with better handling, Leclerc could be a major contender to take the fight to Verstappen and Norris.
Another Ferrari Academy prospect is 19-year-old Brit Oliver Bearman. Bearman will be Leclerc’s young protege and will have experiences on his side after debuting with Haas, meaning the Italian giants will have two lethal drivers on their hands.
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McLaren
While it looks like he could well miss out on the title this year, AI believes that, having been at the helm for McLaren for several years, Norris will still likely be their talisman and still pushing the sport’s very best for the championship.
It doesn’t look like Oscar Piastri is going anywhere either. McLaren seems committed to Piastri, and by 2029, he could be an established race winner.
Forming a potent duo with Norris, McLaren’s line-up will look identical in five years. However they will possess valuable circuit and podium experience that they may currently lack.
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Aston Martin
After rebuilding his career with Williams, Alex Albon could be seen as the mature driver needed to step into a more competitive seat at Aston Martin. AI thinks that his talent, racecraft, and adaptability could make him a contender for regular podiums.
Aston Martin’s development star Felipe Drugovich has acted as test and reserve driver in 2024, but could secure a full-time seat if he continues his strong performances, and could form a partnership with the much more seasoned Albon.
Alpine
Esteban Ocon is headed to Haas next year – but AI predicts he’ll reunite with the French team down the line, perhaps once Pierre Gasly – who he’s infamously clashed with over the years – has departed.
Australian Jack Doohan, 21, is replacing Ocon and is expected to handle the step up to F1, so much so that he’ll be there for the foreseeable future.
Williams
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Looking to reclaim the glory days, Williams could turn to Robert Shwartzman. With the team on the hunt for young talent to climb the grid, Shwartzman could provide the boost they need with the Russian-Israeli currently in place as a reserve for Ferrari in 2023 and 2024.
AI seems to think that promising young Brit Zak O’Sullivan could make his F1 debut within five years too. O’Sullivan debuted in free practice for the team in 2023 and, at just 19 now, he would still only be 24 in 2029, presumably with a lot more experience behind the wheel.
Haas
Somewhat controversially, AI is of the opinion that Logan Sargeant could become a top driver for Haas. The struggling American was sensationally dropped by Williams in August this year and was replaced by Franco Colapinto.
Williams team principal, James Vowles claimed it was a heady decision to make after the Florida born driver failed to score a point in 2024. He was also involved in a crash at Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, however AI says that Sargeant will back in F1 with Haas, in a bid to give them stability – perhaps after Sargeant himself has improved as a driver.
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Mercedes-backed Frederik Vesti could also find himself at Haas if Mercedes continue to use them as a customer team to place its junior drivers. Sharing a reserve role at Mercedes with Mick Schumacher in 2024, Vesti could find himself eventually leading the line for Haas.
Audi
The nephew of F1 icon Michael Schumacher, David has shown big potential in junior racing. With Audi arriving in 2026, the 23-year-old could become one of their key drivers for the future, unleashing another Schumacher onto the circuit.
Frenchman Theo Pourchaire, 21, is highly rated in the Sauber Academy, and with Audi’s future involvement, he seems destined for an F1 seat. Serving as a reserve driver for Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu for 2024, Pourchaire could be ready to take centre stage soon enough.
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AlphaTauri
Ayumu Iwasa is a strong contender from the Red Bull Junior Program. He could end up in AlphaTauri, continuing their tradition of promoting Red Bull Academy drivers.
Isack Hadjar is another thrilling young prospect from Red Bull’s ranks. In September of this year, Hadjar was promoted to replace Liam Lawson as the reserve driver for RB Racing, and the future could well see Hadjar could break into Alpha Tauri.
Key retirements
As the passage of time dictates, one can’t stay at the top forever and it’s the same for some of our favourite F1 drivers. AI reckons Lewis Hamilton will have called it a day by 2029.
Currently 39 years old, the British legend is joining Ferrari for the 2025 season and while there could yet be another championship in store for him, it’s very likely he will be winding down soon.
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Fernando Alonso is another name not expected to be lining up on the grid come 2029. He’ll be in his mid-40s by then, and despite his incredible longevity, it’s likely the Spanish star will have moved on.
The same goes for Mexican hero Sergio Perez. Come 2029, Perez may have stepped away from F1 with ‘Checo’ nearing 40 in five years’ time. If AI is to be believed he may have lost his seat with Red Bull long before thanks to the emergence of Liam Lawson.
New teams
Michael Andretti’s dream of becoming a Formula One team owner was dealt a heavy hit when the sport’s commercial arm recently rejected his proposal to join the grid in 2025 or 2026. While the former American driver has been met with resistance so far, AI maintains that Andretti could successfully enter F1 by 2029, which would mean there could be further shuffling and potentially creating seats for more American drivers like Sargeant in the sport.
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