echo As Formula 1 gears up for the 2025 season, excitement is at an all-time high. Fans anticipate one of the most competitive seasons with new regulations, reshuffled driver line-ups, and intensifying rivalries. With this in mind, let’s buckle up and dive into this year’s key predictions and storylines.
Hamilton’s prancing horse era begins:
Lewis Hamilton announced on February 2, 2024, that he will move to Scuderia Ferrari in 2025. This ended his 11-year partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas, which saw him win six World Drivers’ Championships and eight World Constructors’ Championships. This driver-team pairing is cited as one of the most successful and longest partnerships in F1 history.
This raises the question, “Why would Lewis Hamilton end such a successful partnership?” Several factors could have contributed to his decision. First, Lewis Hamilton himself has stated that driving for Scuderia Ferrari has been his childhood dream. Secondly, Ferrari offered him a multi-year contract and a jaw-dropping salary, while Mercedes-AMG only offered a 1+1 contract. This contract does not guarantee Hamilton having a seat in 2026, and provides less security in comparison to Ferrari’s offer.
This decision to move to Ferrari could be due to Mercedes AMG producing underperforming cars.
With Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc being one of the strongest pairings on the grid this year, would Scuderia Ferrari face the challenge of giving the drivers equal treatment? It is no secret that Ferrari has always shown a preference for Charles; this is evident as he has managed to beat every teammate he has ever been paired with, even beating 4-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel. Some may say that Charles Leclerc is the future world champion for Scuderia Ferrari, but with Hamilton joining, there’s no denying there would be a drastic team dynamic change. It has been predicted that Hamilton has a 96-97% chance of winning a world championship with Ferrari; provided the team delivers a championship-calibre car. Could this lead to an inter-team feud? Or could this be a success story for generations to come?
Scuderia Ferrari drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
Liam Lawson’s move to Red Bull:
After a disappointing season for Sergio Perez where he had finished 8th in the World Championship, Red Bull Racing and Perez had come into a mutual agreement of parting ways. This led to the team signing Liam Lawson for the 2025 season after competing in 11 F1 races (5 in 2023 and 6 in 2024). Liam Lawson had previously raced for the Visa Cash App RB F1 team, where in 2023, he sat in for Daniel Riccardo after his crash in the Netherlands leading to broken wrists and again in 2024 after VCARB had dropped Daniel Riccardo mid-season.
Red Bull Racing has taken. Their gamble with Max Verstappen paid off, but could they pull it off again? Before Red Bull signed Lawson for the seatYuki Tsunoda had tested with the team, showing great potential. However, to his dismay, Liam was given a seat in Red Bull. Despite Yuki Tsunoda showing more potential than Liam Lawson, the question remains ‘Why him?’
Red Bull Racing driver, Liam Lawson
Jack Doohan joins the F1 Grid:
Jack Doohan is set to join the grid in 2025 with Alpine. He is the first driver from the Alpine Academy to graduate and join F1. Jack Doohan has previously appeared in F1 in 2024 where he took part in the first free practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix and the British Grand Prix. This made him the running contender to replace Esteban Ocon in 2025. Jack Doohan got an early debut in F1, as he drove for Alpine at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, replacing Esteban Ocon.
However, it is strange that Jack Doohan’s contract lasted only 12 races, and Alpine quickly signed Franco Calopinto as their reserve driver. Franco Calopinto has proven himself in F1 driving for Williams after Logan Saergent was abruptly let go halfway through the season.
With 12 races to prove himself to the team, could Jack Doohan possibly do it? Or is Franco Calopinto ready to sweep the seat, just as he did at Williams? Given the clause in Jack Doohan’s contract, it seems like Alpine has already decided who to let go and who to keep. But can Doohan defy expectations and prove them wrong?
Ollie Bearman’s career set to doom?:
Oliver Bearman, a Ferrari Academy driver, swept everyone off their feet by scoring points in his debut F1 race in 2024 when he stepped in for Carlos Sainz who was hospitalised for appendicitis. This led to him joining the 2025 grid as a full-time driver at Haas, alongside Esteban Ocon.
It is no secret that Esteban Ocon is not exactly a team player. A more recent example would be his long rivalry history with Pierre Gasly, costing points for both the team and himself. Moreover, his aggressive on-track battles date back to his Force India days, where he was often seen challenging his then team-mate Sergio Perez, often leading to dangerous situations. Furthermore, at the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix, he collided with race leader Max Verstappen whilst attempting to un-lap himself, damaging both cars. Both drivers were able to continue racing and Ocon received a ten-second stop-and-go penalty for the incident. This incident led to a heated post-race argument.
Now, as Oliver Bearman enters his rookie season, he faces the challenge of co-existing with a team-mate widely known for starting inter-team rivalries. Could he possibly excel in his career? Or could Esteban Ocon have adapted to a new attitude since he’s no longer teammates with Pierre Gasly?
A Potential Race Ban for Verstappen:
F1 Drivers may face race bans if they reportedly swear or criticise the sport’s governing body under the new rules that have been introduced for the 2025 season. Max Verstappen often lands himself in hot waters with the FIA due to his bold statements and his unbothered attitude to criticise the FIA whenever he disagrees. Moreover, this was seen in 2024 when Verstappen was penalised for cursing on the radio, leading to one of the most iconic moments in Formula 1 history, where he refused to answer any questions in the press conference room but instead held his own press conference right outside the room.
Max Verstappen answering questions from the press outside the conference room
The championship fight. Will Max Verstappen finally be dethroned?:
The 2024 season saw Verstappen having to watch his back with Lando Norris constantly challenging and catching up to him. This has led to the now popular belief that maybe Verstappen is not immune to defeat and could very well eventually lose his championship title. Despite this, it is worth mentioning that despite Lando Norris challenging a 4-time world champion, he is still far off from winning the title, especially since he only has four career wins, in contrast to Verstappen’s 63 career wins. However, the real and formidable challenger would be Lewis Hamilton, who is hungry for his 8th championship, and with his new team partner being Ferrari, the door seems wide open to possibilities.
Could this season witness another epic battle just like in 2021?
Conclusion
With so many uncertainties and possibilities heading into the 2025 season, Formula 1 is set for a year of intense battles, shifting team dynamics, and career-defining moments. Whether it’s the fight for the championship, rising tensions within teams, or rookies proving their worth, the season is set to deliver high-stakes drama on and off the track, maybe even outdoing the 2024 season (if that’s even possible!). As the lights go out for another thrilling season, only time will tell who rises to the occasion and who gets left behind in the dust. As for us fans? Let’s sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Written by: Alishbah
Edited by: Ashley
