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Tyres NorthamptonWith tighter racing, nearly half the teams capable of claiming victories, and a significant shake-up in driver lineups, the stage is set for must-watch weekends.
Irrespective of whether you're a fan of Ferrari, the iconic Italian team is at the heart of 2025 after luring Lewis Hamilton away from Mercedes. The legendary driver, statistically the greatest in the sport's history with seven world titles, 105 race wins, and a slew of records, now dons the famous Scuderia scarlet. Reunited with his 2006 GP2 Team Principal Frederic Vasseur, Hamilton's move is a seismic shift for the sport's oldest team.
Hamilton is following fellow champions Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso in his quest to take a final title or two at Ferrari. Michael Schumacher executed this move to a devastating degree with his 00s dominance, but neither Vettel nor Alonso could match the German. If Hamilton succeeds where they failed, he'll cement his name as the sport's best and become an Italian icon, just like Schumacher.
Hamilton joins Charles Leclerc, a driver who has already made waves by outperforming four-time world champion Vettel in their first season together. A long-time Ferrari prodigy, Leclerc faces the toughest test of his career to prove he can match Hamilton's prowess. The dynamic, both on-track and off, between the pair promises to be an evolving subplot throughout the season. If Ferrari can deliver a title-contending car, the tension and excitement in the Scuderia garage will be palpable.
Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing, recently seen as an unstoppable force, is grappling with its own challenges. After dominating 2022 and 2024, the team faced a tumultuous start to 2024, marked by allegations against Team Principal Christian Horner and whispers of internal friction. Despite an investigation clearing Horner, the departure of long-time CTO Adrian Newey to Aston Martin raised eyebrows and fueled speculation of a civil war within the team.
With Sergio Perez's disappointing performances leading to the team finishing P3 in the Constructors' standings, Red Bull gambled to replace him with a largely untested driver, Liam Lawson. Though Lawson featured in 2023 and 2024, he has just 11 Grand Prix starts to his name. This switch leaves Max Verstappen with an inexperienced teammate and no aerodynamic genius like Newey to rely on. Should he and Red Bull continue their trajectory, the house of cards that is already shaky could come tumbling down.
We, of course, saw Briton Lando Norris be the Dutchman's closest threat in 2024. McLaren's turnaround from a dismal 2023 start to taking the title one season later was incredible. Norris hadn't even won a race 12 months ago but will enter this year as a title challenger. Fellow Brit George Russell will throw his hat in the ring, too. Hamilton's Mercedes departure leaves Russell as the lead driver for the Silver Arrows. While they haven't found the same success as in the 2010s, they still took four victories last season and will want to be the best again.
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The driver market has seen a flurry of activity, with Hamilton's move to Ferrari being just the tip of the iceberg. Carlos Sainz, the unfortunate casualty of Hamilton's switch, has found a new home at Williams. He will partner Alex Albon, a driver still looking to solidify his reputation after dropping out of the sport. Sainz must ensure he outshines Albon as he helps Williams rebuild, creating a delicate balance for the Spaniard. If Sainz brings the Grove-based team forward but Albon outpaces him, his hard-cultivated prestige will quickly fade.
Lawson faces a similar make-or-break season; albeit against a more formidable teammate in Verstappen. If he can match the four-time champion's pace, he could become a hero; otherwise, he risks following in Albon's footsteps of losing his spot in F1. Elsewhere, Esteban Ocon has traded Alpine's pink for Haas's stars and stripes, while Nico Hülkenberg has shifted to Sauber. Both drivers will be eager to prove their worth and avoid joining the ranks of their former peers—Valtteri Bottas, Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo, and Perez—who are all now without a drive.
Replacing these recognisable names is an influx of new talent, with a quarter of the grid being rookies for the season. This shift showcases the depth of talent in the ranks below F1. Fans will be introduced to F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, his 2024 competitor Isack Hadjar, MotoGP legend Mick Doohan's son Jack Doohan, and the teenage sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who has the simple task of replacing Hamilton. Along with three-time starter Ollie Bearman (who isn't a rookie on a technicality), these newcomers represent a palpable changing of the guard in F1.
As the season unfolds, the final year of the current regulations before a significant overhaul in 2026, expect even closer racing than in 2024. Late-regulation periods often lead to tighter competition as teams refine their cars to the point where technical advantages are minimal. The last time we saw the late stages of regulations was in 2021. That led to the dramatic title showdown between Hamilton and Verstappen.
Imagine that unforgettable season but with more drivers capable of victory, only two teams keeping the same driver lineup (McLaren and Aston Martin), plus brand new faces looking to make a name for themselves, and you can see why 2025 could be incredible. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a curious newcomer, you won't want to miss it. The 2025 Formula One season begins this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix.