Hamilton in red, Verstappen under pressure for F1’s 75th an…read more
As the 2025 Formula 1 season gets underway, the spotlight is firmly on Max Verstappen, who is aiming for a fifth consecutive world championship. This would cement his legacy alongside Michael Schumacher, the only other driver to have achieved such a feat. Verstappen dominated much of the 2024 season, winning seven of the first ten races in his Red Bull car. However, his grip on the championship slipped during a 10-race winless streak, as teams like McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari made their mark. Despite the setbacks, Verstappen showed his resilience, clinching his fourth title in Las Vegas with two races to spare, after a strong finish to the season, including a key victory in Brazil. McLaren also made a significant statement, taking the Constructors’ Championship from Red Bull, marking their return to the top.
As Verstappen looks to defend his title, he faces increasing pressure from a strong field of contenders. Lando Norris, who finished just 63 points behind Verstappen in 2024, is seen as a serious challenger for the 2025 crown. Betting markets have placed Norris as the favorite over Verstappen, with Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton not far behind. This promises to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.
One of the biggest stories heading into 2025 is the move of Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes to Ferrari. After years of dominance with the Silver Arrows, Hamilton will now partner with Leclerc at Ferrari, adding a layer of intrigue to the season. Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Ferrari marks a major shift in the sport, and many are eager to see how he fares with the Scuderia, a team that has been trying to return to the top for years.
The 2025 season will also see the arrival of six new rookies to the grid. Among the most exciting is 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, who joins Mercedes to take Hamilton’s place. Antonelli, a multiple Formula 2 champion, is determined to create his own legacy in Formula 1, despite the pressure of stepping into the shoes of one of the sport’s greatest drivers. Another notable rookie is Kiwi Liam Lawson, who has already competed in 11 Grand Prix but will make his full-time debut as Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull. Ferrari’s Ollie Bearman, who impressed in a one-off appearance for the Scuderia in 2024, also joins the grid full-time, this time driving for Ferrari-powered Haas. Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto, the reigning Formula 2 champion, will represent his country in F1 for the first time in five years with Sauber. Aussie Jack Doohan, son of MotoGP legend Mick Doohan, will step up from a reserve role to race alongside Pierre Gasly at Alpine. Lastly, Isack Hadjar, a talented 20-year-old French-Algerian, also joins the grid with Red Bull.
Off the track, tensions between the drivers and the governing body, the FIA, are expected to intensify. In 2024, Verstappen and Leclerc were penalized for swearing during press conferences, and the FIA’s stricter rules on language, introduced in January 2025, have led to backlash from drivers. They have urged FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to be mindful of his own language when addressing drivers and have criticized the governing body for focusing on trivial matters like jewelry and undergarments.
The 2025 season will also feature some calendar changes. The first race of the year takes place in Australia next weekend, with Bahrain’s race moved to April due to Ramadan. The season will include six sprint races, held in Shanghai, Miami, Belgium, Austin, Sao Paulo, and Qatar. Monaco, traditionally a difficult race for overtaking, will see a mandatory two-pit stop strategy introduced to liven up the action. The summer break will occur in August, with the final race scheduled for December 7 in Abu Dhabi.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali highlighted that the 2025 season, marking the 75th anniversary of the FIA Formula One World Championship, will be a special one. He believes the sport’s legacy and experience have helped create a strong calendar, ensuring that the 2025 season will be one to remember for fans and drivers alike. As the season kicks off, all eyes will be on Verstappen, Hamilton, and the other contenders as they fight for the prestigious World Championship.
