Let me take you back to that feeling—the one you get just before the start of a new Formula 1 season (at the time of writing about 10 more weekends left). The air is thick with anticipation, every fan buzzing with questions. Who’s going to dominate? Which team has nailed their car design? Will the rookies rise to the occasion? Entering 2025, that sense of excitement feels even bigger. This is the last season before the 2026 regulation shake-up, and it feels like every team is playing their cards close to their chest. Some are squeezing every drop of performance from their current setups, while others are clearly looking to the future. So, what can we expect?

Ferrari: Betting Big on Risk and Talent

In Focus from left: Charles Leclerc, Frédéric Vasseur and Lewis Hamilton. Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Ferrari has taken a bold step forward by completely overhauling their car concept and signing seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur acknowledged the risks involved but remains optimistic, stating, “It’s a happy headache. I prefer to fight for a one-two finish than for 19th and 20th place.” Partnering Hamilton with Charles Leclerc forms one of the strongest driver lineups on the grid. However, this pairing could lead to internal tensions, especially with Hamilton’s race engineer, Riccardo Adami, having deep ties to Ferrari’s past champions. The team leveled up significantly in 2024 under Vasseur’s leadership, starting the year strong and recovering from a mid-season slump to end as arguably the best squad in the final few races. Ferrari narrowly missed out on the Constructors’ Championship, finishing just 14 points shy, but their five wins and four poles showcased their potential. With Leclerc operating at his peak and Hamilton eager to prove he can win a record eighth title, this combination seems poised to bring Ferrari their first Constructors’ crown since 2008. The Scuderia’s newfound willingness to take risks and erode a longstanding culture of fear has set them up as serious contenders.

McLaren: From Constructors’ Champions to Drivers’ Glory?

McLaren’s resurgence has been nothing short of remarkable. Winning the 2024 Constructors’ Championship has boosted the team’s morale, but the question remains whether they can translate that into Drivers’ Championship success. With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in their ranks, McLaren boasts a lineup that blends youth with experience. Piastri has expressed confidence, saying, “I have all the ingredients to become a world champion.”

Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, McLaren, Yas Marina, 2024

Team boss Zak Brown highlighted Norris’ growth, particularly in handling battles with Max Verstappen: “Lando has learned how to fight against Max… I think he knows exactly how to deal with him on the track.” Norris’s evolution as a driver has been evident, especially in the latter part of 2024, where he displayed newfound confidence. Stamping out qualifying mistakes, Norris secured eight pole positions—tying with Verstappen—and claimed victories in Miami, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. His performance was instrumental in McLaren’s Constructors’ title and has created serious momentum heading into 2025. As he said over team radio after clinching the championship in Abu Dhabi, next year is his time to take the Drivers’ title. This level of confidence and consistency positions Norris as the favorite to clinch his first Drivers’ Championship in 2025.

Red Bull: The Verstappen Factor Lives On

Source: https://www.instagram.com/f1grandslam/p/C8uh_f-taAa/

Despite finishing third in the Constructors’ Championship in 2024, Red Bull remains a formidable force, primarily due to Max Verstappen’s unparalleled talent. Verstappen himself admitted, “If we continue like this, I will not be Champion next year. It is that simple.” The team has taken a gamble by promoting rookie Liam Lawson to the second seat. Helmut Marko set clear expectations: “Lawson should be within three-tenths of Max in both qualifying and the race… He should steadily increase his performance if possible.”

The car’s development has faced challenges, with its instability being a concern. Red Bull’s success hinges on Verstappen’s ability to extract every ounce of performance from the car, a feat he has managed consistently in the past. However, the rookie’s capacity to rise to the occasion will determine whether Red Bull can challenge for the Constructors’ Championship. Despite these challenges, Verstappen is still expected to be in the mix at the top of the table, his talent keeping him a threat to Ferrari and McLaren.

Mercedes: A Transitional Year Ahead

Mercedes enters 2025 with a mix of optimism and caution. George Russell assumes the role of senior driver, with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli stepping into the second seat. Team Principal Toto Wolff emphasized the need for patience: “2025 is going to be a year where George will settle in as being a senior driver, and Kimi will rip our hair out at other times… It’s a year of managing expectations for Kimi.”

The team’s struggles with understanding their car’s performance window remain unresolved. A lack of consistency in setup and development has plagued Mercedes in recent seasons. Antonelli, who boasts an impressive junior career, will be under pressure to perform but is seen as a long-term investment for the team. Mercedes’ role as disruptors in the title fight could be significant, even if they aren’t expected to contend for the championship themselves. With this setup, Antonelli could potentially secure a podium finish, adding a bright spot to the team’s transitional year.

Williams and Sauber: Struggling to Stay Relevant

Williams’ project under James Vowles has yet to deliver the expected revival. Carlos Sainz joins Alex Albon in a lineup that looks promising on paper but may be undermined by the car’s lack of performance. Budget constraints and development setbacks further dampen Williams’ hopes.

Sauber, meanwhile, is firmly focused on 2026 and the Audi partnership, with minimal investment in their 2025 car. This strategy all but guarantees a last-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship, leaving drivers Nico Hulkenberg and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto with little to fight for. Despite this, Sauber’s drivers could produce standout performances, with Bortoleto particularly eager to make an impression.

The Midfield Battle: Aston Martin, Alpine, and Haas

The midfield promises its own share of drama, with teams like Aston Martin, Alpine, and Haas vying for supremacy. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso remains a critical asset, but the team’s stagnation in development could hinder their progress. After a challenging 2024 season, Alonso is determined to return to the top step of the podium. With a new management team featuring Andy Cowell, Enrico Cardile, and Adrian Newey, Aston Martin is expected to make significant strides. On the right weekend, Alonso, at 43 years old, could seize the opportunity to secure his first win since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix.

Alpine’s struggles are well-documented, with managerial instability and a shutdown of their engine division. Pierre Gasly’s consistent performances might keep them afloat, but rookie Jack Doohan faces immense pressure to deliver. Meanwhile, Haas, despite a strong 2024, enters 2025 with a weakened driver lineup. Replacing Nico Hulkenberg with Ollie Bearman is seen as a downgrade, and their ability to maintain competitiveness remains in question. However, Bearman has shown flashes of brilliance, and if Haas continues to develop its car, he could find himself on the podium.

Rookies and Rising Stars

Starting from left Antonelli, Doohan, Bearman and Bortoleto will all be full-time members of the F1 grid next year

The 2025 season features several rookies eager to prove their mettle. Liam Lawson at Red Bull and Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes are under significant scrutiny, given their high-profile team environments. Both have the potential to secure podium finishes, with Antonelli’s talent and Lawson’s experience from his partial 2024 campaign giving them an edge. Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls and Ollie Bearman at Haas are also well-placed to deliver strong performances, especially if their teams provide competitive cars. The influx of new talent suggests that at least two rookies could make it onto the podium in 2025, highlighting the depth of talent entering Formula 1.

Key Battles to Watch

The inter-team rivalry at Ferrari between Hamilton and Leclerc could echo the dramatic 2016 Hamilton-Rosberg duel. McLaren’s Norris and Piastri will aim to capitalize on any slip-ups from Ferrari and Red Bull. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s dominance will be tested as he shoulders the burden of leading Red Bull with a rookie teammate.

In the midfield, the battle between Haas and Aston Martin for fifth place could be one of the season’s most unpredictable storylines. Alpine’s ability to stay competitive hinges on Gasly’s consistency and Doohan’s adaptability. Additionally, more than half the grid is expected to stand on the podium, with teams like Haas, Aston Martin, and Alpine knocking on the door of top-three finishes. The field’s convergence promises a thrilling season, with opportunities for unexpected drivers to crack the podium.

Predictions for 2025

Ferrari’s combination of bold car development and an elite driver pairing gives them the edge to claim the Constructors’ Championship. While Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will be key players, Lando Norris’s consistent performances and newfound confidence position him as the favorite to clinch his first Drivers’ Championship. McLaren’s momentum and Norris’s drive will likely see the Brit take the crown, fulfilling the promise he showed in 2024. Meanwhile, the rookie class of 2025 is set to make waves, with podium finishes expected from at least two of the newcomers. Fernando Alonso’s long wait for a victory could also end, as Aston Martin aims to capitalize on favorable conditions. The 2025 season is shaping up to be a spectacle, with drama and surprises at every turn.

Sprint: R2, R6, R13, R19, R21, & R23.