The 2024 season has just ended, but Formula 1 moves at a rapid pace, and in just over two months, one of the most anticipated championships in history will begin.
Formula 1 is currently on a break, but the engines never sleep. Three weeks ago, the last Grand Prix of the 2024 season took place, with McLaren’s victory in the Constructors’ Championship against a revitalized Ferrari. Max Verstappen, in Las Vegas, secured his fourth consecutive world title and will remain the man to beat in 2025.
Yes, 2025. In just over two months, the next Formula 1 season will begin, one of the most eagerly anticipated in history. A World Championship that, in some ways, has already started this year with the global announcement of Lewis Hamilton, who, in 30 hours, will officially be a Ferrari driver. Naturally, the eyes of the world will be on the Scuderia of Maranello, which cannot aim for anything less than both titles, given the Dream Team formed by the seven-time world champion and Charles Leclerc.
The progress shown by Ferrari in the second half of 2024 gives hope for the upcoming season, even though the car, nicknamed “Project 677,” will have nothing in common with the one that finished second in the Constructors’ Championship. Moreover, the arrival of Lewis Hamilton will bring a media impact not seen in Maranello for a long time.
Two attacking forces for Ferrari, then, aiming to dethrone McLaren from the throne of the fastest and most complete car package. McLaren, after 26 years, has returned to win the Constructors’ title, and now the main goal is to triumph again in the Drivers’ Championship, with either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri.
The young Brit finished second in the 2024 season, with ups and downs that somewhat compromised his fight with Max Verstappen until the final race. Yes, because the man to beat will always be him: the flying Dutchman. Red Bull, which finished third in the Constructors’ Championship, has bid farewell to Sergio Perez to make room for Liam Lawson, but of course, all the team’s efforts will focus on helping Verstappen fight for the championship.
Mad Max is hunting for more records, like his fifth consecutive world title and a significant increase in victories. “If the car is like the one in the last Grand Prix, it will be hard to fight for the crown,” said the Dutchman about Red Bull’s competitiveness, which is, of course, working hard to get back to the top.
There is much to discuss about the upcoming season, and one of the key topics is the pair of Mercedes drivers. A young and fresh duo formed by George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with the Bologna-born driver set to make his official F1 debut at the age of 18. Toto Wolff has chosen him to replace Lewis Hamilton with the dream of starting a new winning cycle for the German team.
It will be the year of rookies like Jack Doohan, Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Isack Hadjar, all ready to impress and confirm themselves. Bearman, who already raced in two Grand Prix with Ferrari and Haas last season, delivering more than satisfactory performances, will pair with Esteban Ocon, while Bortoleto, fresh off winning the Formula 1 Championship, will be teammates with Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber.
Lastly, but certainly not least, there is Carlos Sainz, who, after leaving Ferrari, will drive for Williams, aiming to bring the British team back to the positions it deserves. The Spaniard has already had the chance to drive the car during the post-season Abu Dhabi tests, setting better times than those achieved by Albon and Colapinto in qualifying.
In short, all the ingredients are there for an even more exciting season than the one that just passed. Four teams will battle it out for victory in every Grand Prix, while the various young drivers are ready to impress. The 2025 Formula 1 season is already here.