Alpine’s announcement that Jack Doohan will take a Formula 1 race seat in 2025 leaves just three cockpits available on the grid next year.

But in reality, there aren’t many options available for drivers still trying to secure their future, as most likely there is only one vacancy left at all.

Although Mercedes, RB and Sauber/Audi have yet to officially confirm their lineups, the top two teams have almost certainly decided what they will do.

At Mercedes, it is now almost certain that Andrea Kimi Antonelli will start alongside George Russell as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.

An announcement could come as early as next weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, where the young Italian is also expected to take part in the first free practice session.

At Red Bull and RB the situation is a little less stable, but it is also more a case of three into two, rather than a door being open for an outsider to come in.

Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has indicated ahead of the Dutch GP that Liam Lawson will get a seat at one of the team’s two teams next year. That means either Sergio Perez (Red Bull) or Daniel Ricciardo (RB) will likely have to drop out.

Liam Lawson, reserve driver, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, with Helmut Marko, consultant, Red Bull Racing, Peter Bayer, CEO, RB F1 Team

Photo by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Images

The futures of both Perez and Ricciardo for the second half of the season were uncertain due to the changeable conditions at the start of the season, but at the start of the summer break it was decided that they would both stay for the time being.

Red Bull wants both drivers to improve if they want to stay next year, something both parties are well aware of.

Earlier during the Dutch GP weekend, Ricciardo said he had no doubts Lawson deserved a full-time seat in Formula 1 – something Red Bull reportedly must give him for 2025 under his contract if he does not want to become a free agent.

Ricciardo said: “I still know that performance is my best friend. If I do what I know I can do, and what I am capable of, then I think I am in a very good position to stay in the family somewhere next year.

“Speaking of Liam – I saw him driving the car last year and I think he did a great job. I think he deserves a spot on the grid.

“So in a way I’m happy for him and if he gets a seat next year then I’m fine with that because he’s a deserving driver.”

But while it seems obvious from the outside that Red Bull will choose its two best options from the three candidates, another scenario could play out: that Lawson is loaned out and that all three candidates will race in Formula 1 next year.

Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

It was something that Red Bull team boss Christian Horner hinted at as a possibility amid the Lawson talks. Speaking to Sky Sports about Marko’s comments, referring to Lawson definitely getting a seat in 2025, Horner said: “I asked him (Marko), very clearly, he said he will do a Formula 1 drive next year. We could rent him out. There’s nothing set in stone.

“If we don’t take up the option on Liam, then he’s a free driver for 2025. So we have specific periods in the driver contracts where that becomes common.”

The only possibility for a loan deal is the Sauber/Audi team, which is considering its options after Carlos Sainz decided to reject an offer he had made and move to Williams instead.

According to Autosport, Sauber’s previous bosses expressed interest in loaning Lawson out for 2025 earlier this year, but the trail foundered due to management turmoil that led to the departures of bosses Andrea Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann.

Although those talks came to nothing, it is not hard to imagine that the arrival of Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley as the new Sauber team principal is a clear reason to restart the talks, especially since he knows Lawson’s strengths well.

Much will depend, however, on what new COO Mattia Binotto thinks about the choice between a youngster like Lawson as Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate next year or opting for a more experienced player.

If Sauber opts for the latter, the most obvious choice is current driver Valtteri Bottas, who is currently in talks with Binotto over a new deal.

Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Nothing is set in stone yet, but the Finn feels there is some positivity in the way discussions are going – he didn’t have the same atmosphere as the previous management.

“The last six months it felt like I wasn’t the highest priority,” Bottas said at Zandvoort.

“Of course there was one signing for me and of course the team and management were looking for all options with sometimes very little communication, but now it feels a bit different.

“There was a clear reset and now there is a clear structure at the top in who does what. I think that is positive for the future.

“Mattia comes from a team that has been super successful. He knows what a good team really needs, so I think this is good for the future of this team.”

He added: “Of course, in the end they make the decision, but they evaluate all the options, that’s for sure, as they should. But I would imagine that I should be in a strong position. But of course it’s up to Mattia and Audi.”

All eyes are now on Hinwil, who look set to play a central role in the next step in the F1 driver market.