“Silly season”, is the term used to describe the time during the summer break in the Formula 1 season due to the rumors circulating in the media and the contract negotiations among drivers. This year's “silly season” came early on June 3rd when Esteban Ocon announced his departure from the BWT Alpine F1 team at the end of 2024 season.
In an Instagram post by Ocon, he announced his departure from the team in which he expressed his gratitude for the team and the Enstone-Viry family for being a part of his professional racing career.
Courtesy of @ estebanocon on Instagram
Ocon leaving Alpine at the end of the season leaves many wondering where he will end up next season or if he will even have a seat to compete in. With Sergio Perez renewing his contract with Oracle Red Bull Racing and Yuki Tsunoda renewing his contract with Visa Cash App Red Bull. The only actual seat that seems to be available is the one being left empty by Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes AMG Petronas, which rumors have Mercedes Junior Development Driver Kimi Antonelli will fill.
Formula 1 is one of the most competitive levels of motorsport. Not only is it hard to get into that level but also to remain in it.. The first person to fall victim to the “silly season” before it began was none other than Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. At the beginning of the year it was announced that Hamilton would be leaving Mercedes and going to the Italian Scuderia, leaving Sainz without a seat for the upcoming 2025 season.
Courtesy of PlanetF1.com
The 2025 season is not only uncertain for Sainz and Ocon but also for drivers like Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo, Logan Sargeant, and Pierre Gasly. Many of these drivers’ contracts are expiring and have yet to be renewed, so their future is uncertain. Due to the movement in the driver market, this 2024 summer break will certainly be the talk of the town on social media and in the news. There has not been this big of a spectacle for the summer break since the “silly season” of the 2022 F1 season.
During the 2022 “silly season”, many fans were left shocked during the events that year. With the announcement of Sebastian Vettel’s retirement, Fernando Alonso left Alpine, Ricciardo left McLaren and Oscar Piastri unexpectedly joined McLaren. Another memorable “silly season” was that of the 2018 season, where Ricciardo left Red Bull unexpectedly and shocked fans and CEO Christian Horner.
Courtesy of sport360.com|
Although “silly season” has not officially begun, the action so far can ensure that this summer break will be enjoyable for social media, the news, and the fans. Ocon and Sainz’s, as well as the other drivers’ talents, are some that will surely be missed around the paddock; their time is not over yet. There is still time left in the season for these talented drivers to show other team principals that they deserve a spot in the highest level of motorsport.
Edited by: Sarah Muñoz