Backfired: The top F1 free agent moves that flopped

Testing free company as a Formula 1 driver generally is a dangerous enterprise. With so few seats available and even fewer capable of challenging for wins, selecting between seats typically seems to be a stab in the dead of night primarily based on religion in these main the cost and a staff’s inherent potential, main quite a few championship-worthy drivers to waste treasured years behind the wheel of an uncompetitive automotive.

With the conclusion of the 2024 season executed and dusted, and the free company market all however performed out forward of 2025, there isn’t a higher time to make a journey down reminiscence lane and mirror on a number of the greatest errors in latest reminiscence.

5. Valtteri Bottas – Mercedes to Sauber

Having began his profession with a four-year stint at Williams, Valtteri Bottas was introduced in by Mercedes to interchange retiring reigning World Champion Nico Rosberg for 2017. Teamed with Lewis Hamilton for the following 5 years, the duo fashioned a considerably extra harmonious partnership than the Briton had skilled with Rosberg.

Mercedes’ Constructors’ Championship dominance continued all through Bottas’ time with the staff, reclaiming the title throughout every of his 5 seasons, whereas Hamilton clinched the World Drivers’ Championship 4 occasions.

Bottas pushed Hamilton all through, profitable three races through the 2017 season on his strategy to a third-place end within the championship. Whereas he didn’t win a race the next yr, Bottas nonetheless made his strategy to the rostrum on a constant foundation. And the hits continued to come back, ending second within the championship in each 2019 and 2020, and third in 2021, profitable one other seven races within the course of. 

However with British teenager George Russell ready within the wings for a possibility, Mercedes opted to drop Bottas for the 2022 season. The free agent Fin finally landed with the then Alfa Romeo staff, led by Fred Vasseur. Bottas’ first season with the staff was first rate, if unremarkable, reaching the highest 10 on 9 events and failing to achieve the rostrum. Vasseur’s subsequent departure despatched the staff right into a spiral, with Bottas solely in a position to attain the highest 10 thrice the next season earlier than failing to attain a single level in his remaining yr with the renamed Kick-Sauber staff. 

Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Group KICK Sauber

Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photos

The team’s acquisition by Audi, set to be accomplished by 2026, was the ultimate nail within the coffin for Bottas’ time there, with the German manufacturer opting to go with a new lineup. Reflecting on his time with the staff following the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Bottas called his move to Sauber “a mistake.” 

4. Daniel Ricciardo – Renault to McLaren

Following two largely disappointing seasons with Renault, Daniel Ricciardo hit free company as soon as once more in 2021, signing a blockbuster three-year take care of the Woking-based staff the place he’d companion rising star Lando Norris.

The Honey Badger had large sneakers to fill, following Carlos Sainz’s departure to Ferrari. Sainz had performed a key function in McLaren’s resurgence as a reputable top-10 staff, following their dire three-year Honda partnership.

Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, 1st place, Lando Norris, McLaren, 2nd place, and Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, have a good time on the rostrum with shoeys

Photograph by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Photos

 The Aussie’s first yr with McLaren proved a combined bag. Largely outperformed by Norris, who reached the rostrum on 4 events, Ricciardo secured the staff’s first win since 2012 throughout a race to recollect in Monza. Issues actually fell aside for Ricciardo in 2022, when he was comprehensively outraced by Norris all through, solely reaching the highest 10 on seven events, whereas his teammate totaled seven podium finishes.

Ricciardo’s downfall was a tricky watch, because the charismatic and much-loved driver of outdated appeared to fade away, his confidence seemingly vanishing by the day. Ultimately, he was dumped by McLaren a yr early, with the staff paying him $18 million to depart in favor of rookie Oscar Piastri.

3. Fernando Alonso – Ferrari to McLaren

Having simply left Ferrari in 2015, with 13 seasons and two world titles beneath his belt, Alonso was looking out for a brand new staff to name residence. In the meantime, McLaren entered the season trying to rekindle some previous romances with the hopes of returning to battle with the highest groups. The papaya outfit signed an engine partnership with Honda, with whom they’d loved a lot success within the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties, and introduced again a really acquainted face in Alonso — regardless of the Spaniard having left beneath a cloud of smoke in 2008.

Alonso signed a three-year take care of McLaren, partnering with one other world championship winner, Jenson Button. The transfer, although, instantly backfired, with the Honda energy unit proving each miles off the tempo and unreliable.

Fernando Alonso, McLaren MP4-31, crash

Photograph by: Daniel Kalisz / Motorsport Photos

Over the following three years, Alonso accomplished simply 39 races, reaching the highest 10 simply 16 occasions, and failing to ever end above fifth. In 2018, McLaren switched to a Renault energy unit, which kick-started the staff’s gradual rise again to the highest. Alonso completed within the prime half of the grid 9 occasions, comprehensively outperforming then-teammate Stoffel Vandoorne within the course of.

The next yr, Alonso stepped away from racing, serving as an envoy for McLaren earlier than returning to the grid the next season when he joined Alpine.

2. Daniel Ricciardo – Purple Bull to Renault

Sadly for Ricciardo, his transfer to McLaren wasn’t his solely questionable profession transfer.

A graduate of the Purple Bull junior program, he made his title with the senior staff from 2014 till 2018. Initially teammates with then reigning four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel, Ricciardo changed fellow countryman Mark Webber within the function and proved equally as much as the duty of difficult the German for wins. 

Seven wins, 29 podiums, and two third-place drivers’ championship standings finishes adopted for Ricciardo, who spent a lot of his time with the staff partnering now four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. A greater than succesful match for Verstappen and Vettel on a very good day, Purple Bull have been intent on conserving Ricciardo because the 2019 season loomed. Nevertheless, the Aussie determined to take his abilities elsewhere, dropping the bridesmaid function and changing into the bride for Renault alongside Nico Hulkenberg. 

Daniel Ricciardo, Renault F1 Group

Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos

However whereas Purple Bull went from energy to energy, Ricciardo was pressured to observe from afar. In his first season with Renault, he completed within the prime 5 solely as soon as, with the French staff ending fifth within the Constructors’ Championship. Issues improved barely in 2020, with Ricciardo ending within the prime 5 seven occasions together with two third locations. Renault once more completed fifth total. 

With the facility of hindsight, Ricciardo’s determination to half with Purple Bull for Renault finally marked the start of his gradual decline as he slipped additional and additional away from what may have been for the undoubtedly gifted driver.

1. Fernando Alonso – Renault to McLaren

One other acquainted title, in 2007 Alonso joined McLaren because the reigning back-to-back World Champion. He was partnered with a powerful rookie by the title of Lewis Hamilton. Hardly a match made in heaven, this staff dynamic lasted only one season earlier than the plug was pulled. 

Alonso and Hamilton have been introduced in to take over from Kimi Raikkonen and Pedro de la Rosa. Nevertheless, any perceived pecking order shortly vanished as Alonso and Hamilton fiercely battled it out week in and week out for wins.

Third place Lewis Hamilton, McLaren and second place Fernando Alonso, McLaren celebrates on the rostrum

Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Photos

Issues took a flip for the more severe for staff boss Ron Dennis and McLaren in Hungary when Alonso allegedly “threatened handy over e-mails incriminating his personal staff” concerning the then ongoing “Spygate” saga, as per the BBC.

Alonso subsequently returned to Renault for 2 seasons earlier than heading for Ferrari. In the meantime, Hamilton went on to win the 2008 title with McLaren.