Ranked: Outgoing 2024 F1 drivers (feat. Sergio Perez) who could make a return to the sport from worst to best

The 2024 F1 season was interesting if we look at the dynamic change of driver lineups throughout the season. The move from 2023 to 2024 has seen virtually no change in the driver lineup. This was precisely why the trigger in 2024 meant there were quite a few drivers who saw themselves losing their slot on the grid.

In a sport like F1, it's hard to keep your place on the grid. What's harder is earning it back after you've lost it. There are as many seven drivers who raced in 2024 but won't be seen in 2025. In this feature, we're ranking the drivers on the basis of the possibility that they could make a comeback to the sport.

F1 drivers who might make a comeback

#7. Logan Sargeant

The good

Well, the good part for Logan appears to be that the driver is still young. If he can find a place on the IndyCar grid and use that to propel himself to the top of the championship, he might interest a team like Cadillac. The American brand will be in F1 in 2026 and if Sargeant can show that he has cut out the mistakes and the pace is undeniable, he might find a place for himself on the grid.

The bad

The bad has to be the fact that Logan's stint in F1 was disastrous. What made it worse was that Franco Colapinto stepped into the same car and started performing. It's going to take almost a miracle and that's something that does not happen often in a sport like Formula 1.

Final Verdict

Unfortunately, out of all the drivers that have left the sport in 2024, Logan was the least impressive and his return to the sport seems highly unlikely at this stage.

#6. Kevin Magnussen

The good

In Magnussen, the sport has lost a character who was great at getting the job done in the midfield. He was a strong operator and unfortunately for the Danish driver, he ended up getting paired alongside Nico Hulkenberg.

In case something goes wrong at Haas, Kevin would be one of the drivers that the team could fall back on.

The bad

It has to be on-track performances. Magnussen was dominated by Hulkenberg and with even the German not considered one of the elite talents in F1, it's going to be hard to make a case for the Danish driver.

Final Verdict

In terms of performance and the overall affinity, Magnussen might have a door open with Haas but in reality, it does appear that the racing future lies with some other series for the driver.

#5. Daniel Ricciardo

The good

Well, for Daniel the positive has to be the marketing appeal he brings. The driver is a massive name in the US market and it shows with the kind of people he's been hanging out with recently.

The bad

It does appear that the Australian isn't interested in coming back. The driver aimed for wins, podiums, and title runs. That is certainly not happening as no top team is calling and from his recent appearances, it does appear that Ricciardo has made peace with that.

Final Verdict

It does appear that maybe the F1 paddock has seen the last of Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian is possibly not going to race anymore and with his interests away from the sport, we might not see much of him in the near future.

#4. Zhou Guanyu

The good

Before he left, Zhou Guanyu showed that he could be someone that the team could rely upon to score solid points as Sauber finally gained some momentum. The Chinese driver leaves the sport with the reputation of someone who could be a decent contributor and bring a decent chunk of sponsorship to the squad.

The bad

The bad has to be the fact that unless you're brilliant, it's become very hard to find a spot on the current F1 grid. Zhou is decent but so is Mick Schumacher and many other drivers on this list.

Final Verdict

Zhou's links with Cadillac could see him make a return to the sport but simply based on performance, it's going to be very hard to see him back on the grid.

#3. Valtteri Bottas

The good

As Bottas left the stage at the end of the 2024 F1 season, there was a feeling that the Finnish driver was maybe not someone who should lose a place on the grid. The performance is there and he's not someone who appears to have been a victim of having a poor car under him.

The Finnish driver has alluded to the fact that there have been a few exchanges with Cadillac and that could possibly be a route back to the grid.

The bad

The bad part is that while Bottas was more or less decently outperforming his teammate, there was still no standout race from him. The car not being up to the mark is understandable but if there's not even a single race where you can see a driver punching above the weight of what he has under him then that's an issue.

Final Verdict

There's a good chance that Bottas makes his way back to F1. It does however depend on the direction Cadillac wants to take as that might be his only ticket back to the sport.

#2. Sergio Perez

The good

The good bit with Sergio Perez has to be the kind of money he brings with him. Even though pay drivers as a concept has slowly stopped being a thing in F1, any strong driver that brings money and a large following is always welcome.

The bad

Perez left the sport in not the best of terms. It's not only the fact that his performances took a dip, it's also the fact that the driver spoiled his relationship to an extent by bringing lawyers into the equation.

Final Verdict

There's a good chance that Cadillac eyes Sergio Perez as the driver who occupies one of the two seats. The Mexican has a massive following in the States and that's something that could work for him as well. If not for the American brand, should Perez want to come back, he could be a great fit at some of the midfield teams.

#1. Franco Colapinto

The good

First and foremost, Franco Colapinto has established himself as a talent. The only reason why the Argentine is not in F1 right now is the contract that James Vowles signed with Carlos Sainz before he gave the youngster a chance.

The bad

There's a possibility that he sees both Sainz and Albon being neck and neck in terms of performance in 2025. If that happens, one has to wonder where Colapinto would go as the opportunities have a tendency to dry up.

Final Verdict

In terms of potential and performance, it's highly unlikely that Franco Colapinto will not make a return to the sport. Whether it would be with Williams or some other team is a question we don't yet have an answer to.