10 unexpected things to expect from F1 in 2025

Take a step again in time to January 2024 and inform your self that in a yr’s time you will know that Lewis Hamilton has moved from Mercedes to Ferrari, Carlos Sainz is at Williams, Liam Lawson has landed a Crimson Bull seat, and a fellow known as Franco Colapinto (did you even hear of him again then?) is in line for one of many Alpine seats after having competed in 9 grands prix on the finish of final season.

What a distinction a yr makes.

Formulation 1 typically produces snooze fests on race Sundays, however it’s at all times stuffed with craziness, not less than off the monitor – so you’ll be able to virtually by no means rule something out. Listed below are some wild predictions from the followers which have an excellent likelihood of not trying so wild a yr from now.

Verstappen will not be a championship contender this yr

Sorry, what? To think about that the motive force who dominated F1 in 2022 and 2023 won’t even be in rivalry for the championship is troublesome. However is it actually so unlikely?

No query, even with arguably the third-fastest automobile final yr, Verstappen was capable of rating constantly and did not even permit Lando Norris to shut the championship hole within the second half of 2024. However the brand new Crimson Bull seems extremely much like final yr’s – and visually, not less than, a few of the rival groups’ vehicles signify main developments.

There are plenty of ifs on this equation, however what if Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren make an even bigger step ahead than Crimson Bull? Verstappen is definitely an awesome driver, however will he be capable of compensate if the hole will get too huge?

The prospect of the Dutchman not being concerned in a title battle nonetheless sounds too unrealistic, however 12 months in the past it regarded like 2024 could be as simple because the earlier two seasons.

Alonso’s thirty third victory

Did you hear Lando Norris say that it will not be simply the highest 4 groups that win races this yr? As daring because it sounds, he has a sound level. The gaps are likely to shrink when F1 retains the identical laws for a number of years – and if nothing anomalous occurs, we’ll undoubtedly see some shut racing on the entrance. And possibly it will not simply be McLaren, Ferrari, Crimson Bull and Mercedes combating it out. In that case, who higher to wager on for a shock victory than Fernando Alonso?

Fernando Alonso on the rostrum in Sao Paulo in 2023

Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Pictures

Sure, Aston Martin clearly struggled final yr – the string of podiums from early 2023 already looks like a very long time in the past. However again then, Alonso was only one strategic resolution away from profitable at Monaco: had the staff put him on intermediates on lap 54, he might have already secured victory quantity 33.

Lawrence Stroll would not again down – he simply retains upping the ante. In the end, Aston Martin’s spectacular staff of engineers must resolve what has stalled the staff’s progress over the previous yr and a half. Plus, Adrian Newey is because of be part of originally of March, and possibly – simply possibly – the genius will casually level them in the suitable course for automobile improvement.

It’ll most likely take extra than simply: “Oh, guys, this half must be 2mm increased and that’ll offer you 20 additional factors of downforce”. However Newey has lengthy confirmed to the F1 world that he alone could make a distinction.

Lawson and Tsunoda to swap locations

Given Christian Horner and Helmut Marko’s reluctance to even take into account placing Yuki Tsunoda behind the wheel of one in every of Crimson Bull’s vehicles, it is virtually unimaginable that the Japanese driver will find yourself as one of many staff’s drivers. It was solely final December that Tsunoda was provided a take a look at with Crimson Bull – apparently after the staff had already selected its 2025 line-up – and now it is virtually unthinkable that he’ll ever be offered with such a possibility once more. Outperforming the likes of Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson clearly wasn’t sufficient for Tsunoda to persuade his bosses that he was as much as the duty of being a high staff driver.

Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda

Photograph by: Lubomir Asenov / Motorsport Pictures

Nonetheless, loopy issues have occurred with Crimson Bull’s driver line-up up to now. Sacking, swapping and selling drivers mid-season is Marko and Horner’s behavior, so is it fully out of the query that Tsunoda will get his shot?

You do not have to assume too onerous in regards to the circumstances that may drive Crimson Bull to not less than take into account swapping Lawson for Tsunoda. The New Zealander was moved to the primary staff after simply 11 races in F1 – and there is nonetheless an opportunity he might repeat the destiny of Pierre Gasly, who was despatched again to Faenza after simply half a season with Red Bull Racing. If Lawson’s season seems to be as dangerous as Sergio Perez’s final, the staff chiefs could also be left with no alternative.

Antonelli to interrupt Verstappen’s document as youngest winner

It is a tall order – not simply due to the shortage of proof that Mercedes will be capable of win races this yr and Antonelli’s inexperience, but additionally as a result of Kimi solely has three makes an attempt to interrupt Verstappen’s document because the youngest grand prix winner.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures

The Dutchman gained the Spanish Grand Prix, his first race for Crimson Bull Racing, on the age of 18 years and 228 days. Because of this, Antonelli’s likelihood of surpassing that achievement will expire after the Japanese Grand Prix originally of April. Moreover, no rookie has gained a race of their debut season since Lewis Hamilton in 2007 (except Oscar Piastri’s dash victory in Qatar in 2023). Even for the eventual world champion it took six races to achieve this milestone.

So much must go proper for Antonelli to win one of many first three races of the season. However Toto Wolff would not be giving the younger Italian a seat within the automobile if he did not imagine in his potential. How shortly he can adapt to F1 stays one of many greatest questions forward of 2025 – however what if he’s certainly a once-in-a-generation expertise, because the Mercedes boss clearly believes, and stuns the F1 world in his very first races?

Sainz to convey Williams again to the rostrum

James Vowles’ plan to take Williams again to the highest is in full swing. Ditch the Excel spreadsheets – examine. Rent a high driver – examine. Safe an enormous sponsorship deal – examine.

He was clear final yr: 2025 is just not a precedence for his staff. The truth is, he’d reasonably sacrifice the ultimate season earlier than F1 enters a brand new period in 2026 than jeopardise the longer term. Nonetheless, Williams made actual progress all through final season and begins the brand new marketing campaign with a automobile that was born in a a lot better atmosphere than its predecessor and is not less than not affected by extra weight.

Carlos Sainz, Williams FW47

Photograph by: Williams

Can Sainz make the distinction? Alex Albon was showered with compliments throughout the time he shared a storage with Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant, however who can rule out the concept he did not at all times get absolutely the most out of the automobile? Now Williams has a confirmed race winner. In a loopy race – and in a season of 24 rounds, some are certain to be chaotic – you’ll be able to rely on Sainz to maintain his nostril clear and provide you with one thing particular.

Drivers to strike towards FIA

Again in 1982, Formulation 1 drivers have been so fed up with the organisation now generally known as the FIA that they went on strike and locked themselves in a resort ballroom throughout the South African Grand Prix. They performed video games, advised tales and Elio de Angelis entertained the group with some piano jams…

It is onerous to gauge whether or not Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the FIA are near reaching the identical stage of discontent amongst grand prix drivers as Jean-Marie Balestre and FISA did some 40 years in the past – however there’s clearly some type of frustration of their ranks, particularly in gentle of the current information about swearing fines. Repeat offenders face not solely monetary penalties (that are fairly hefty!) but additionally a one-month suspension and a deduction of championship factors – and that is fairly critical. The thought {that a} informal F-word dropped in an interview might have an effect on the title battle is reasonably uncomfortable.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA, with Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing

Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures

The grand prix drivers have already proven their unity by taking the decisive step of making a joint Instagram account (an unprecedented transfer!). What comes subsequent is tough to foretell.

Simply think about: somebody like Max Verstappen (title chosen randomly) finds himself on the verge of a 3rd offence and punishment within the type of factors deduction, say earlier than the Austrian Grand Prix – however as an alternative of heading to the stewards’ room, he rallies the opposite drivers to go on strike and so they lock themselves up in, say, Helmut Marko’s Lodge Steirerschlössl? There is not any scarcity of those that might play the piano on the present grid.

Bearman to beat Ocon comfortably

That does not even sound so wild… All of the F1 rookies of 2025 can have a troublesome activity going up towards skilled teammates. But it surely’s most likely Ollie Bearman who stands the very best likelihood of really beating his storage neighbour.

On paper, Ocon, a race winner with virtually 10 years of F1 expertise, would seem like the clear primary driver at Haas – given Bearman’s lack of expertise. However the younger Briton has already demonstrated his pace and talent to study shortly. Defeating Nico Hulkenberg in qualifying in Baku after which scoring a degree within the race was glorious proof of his high quality as a driver – and much more spectacular than his notorious Jeddah efficiency.

Ayao Komatsu and Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Crew

Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures

Ayao Komatsu believes that Bearman is a future Ferrari driver. And whereas that is a pleasant praise from a boss, it is also a press release of expectations: any driver who desires to drive a pink Formulation 1 automobile at some point should not simply intention to beat any of their team-mates – that needs to be their solely aim.

Perez to return earlier than finish of season

The four-year stint (or possibly simply the final couple of seasons, to be truthful) has actually broken the Mexican’s repute. At instances, he regarded hopeless within the second Crimson Bull – and that impression was solely exacerbated by Max Verstappen’s brilliance. However is that this actually the Sergio Perez we knew from his Pressure India days? Maybe the toll of sharing a storage with a generational expertise has merely been too nice – and in several circumstances, he might rediscover a few of his outdated pace and tenacity.

For now, as Perez enjoys time along with his household and travels the world for pleasure reasonably than work, it is onerous to think about him again on the grid. However F1 has seen its fair proportion of comebacks up to now – even from those that had been written off. In any case, who would have thought that Daniel Ricciardo would swallow his satisfaction and return to race for his former Toro Rosso staff after a stint with McLaren?

Can Sergio Perez get again to F1?

Photograph by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool

Would Christian Horner organise a tyre take a look at for one more of his former drivers in July? And if Isack Hadjar is as a lot slower than Yuki Tsunoda as Nyck de Vries was, might there be a gap? You could possibly say there’s an excessive amount of dangerous blood between Horner and Perez in the meanwhile, however remember Ricciardo left Crimson Bull to signal with Cyril Abiteboul, who appeared to harass Horner virtually as a lot as Toto Wolff! You by no means know…

Hulkenberg to qualify on entrance row with Sauber

Nico Hulkenberg has at all times been a robust qualifier, however it was throughout his two-year stint with Haas that he actually showcased that talent. The German’s potential to place a lap collectively on demand is nothing in need of extraordinary – and a few of his Saturday performances deserve some critical reward. Keep in mind him qualifying second in Canada in 2023?

He is transferring to a staff that, on paper, seems like favourites to complete final within the constructors’ championship, however does that preclude some qualifying highlights?

Nico Hulkenberg, Stake F1 Crew

Photograph by: Sauber

Sauber additionally improved its automobile in direction of the top of final yr, and in Abu Dhabi Valtteri Bottas made it to Q3, setting a time simply 0.4s off the entrance row! Hulkenberg was fourth in the identical session. If the sector is certainly nearer this yr, the German might actually elevate some eyebrows.

Is it too onerous to think about him placing his Sauber on the entrance row in blended situations? Positively not. It isn’t like we’re speaking about him getting a podium, proper?

Doohan to finish full season with Alpine

Let’s simply hope Jack Doohan hasn’t been studying the motorsport press over the winter – as a result of if he has, he have to be feeling immense stress. Too many within the paddock are satisfied that the Australian’s days at Alpine are numbered – and that interprets into tons of articles suggesting that Doohan’s solely job is to heat the seat for Franco Colapinto.

The explanations for such hypothesis are clear: the Argentinean would not have left Williams if he wasn’t hoping to get into one of many Alpine race vehicles within the close to future. And the information of the staff signing up sponsors from his homeland solely provides gas to the hearth.

Doohan would not must learn the press to be involved. The information are sufficient.

Jack Doohan, Alpine F1 Crew, in cockpit

Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Pictures

However guess what, he is nonetheless beginning the season alongside Pierre Gasly – and so long as he is in that seat, his future (you’d prefer to imagine it!) is in his palms. A robust efficiency in such circumstances might actually increase the Australian’s picture and safe not solely a full season with Alpine, however a protracted profession on the pinnacle of motorsport.

What a narrative that might be!