5 rounds in, the 2025 Formula 1 season resides as much as the expectations that it will show one of many closest contests of latest years.
Simply 12 factors – the equal of a fourth-place end – covers the highest three drivers within the factors standings. It’s a far cry from final yr when the hole between first and second within the standings was greater than twice as a lot.
For the final time three drivers have been separated by as little as 12 factors you need to return greater than a decade to 2012. That was an awfully aggressive season through which a special driver gained every of the primary seven races.
After the primary 5 races, eventual champion Sebastian Vettel was tied on the high of the standings with the motive force who would take the title combat to the final lap of the season, Fernando Alonso. Lewis Hamilton was 12 factors behind in third.
Whereas in the present day three drivers are inside one grand prix victory (25 factors) of the championship chief, in 2012 there have been seven: The main trio pursued by Kimi Raikkonen, Mark Webber, Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg. The main septet was lined by a mere 20 factors. 5 drivers remained mathematically in rivalry with three rounds to go, although come the finale simply two have been left standing.
However what a finale that was. In a tense race the place periodic showers ratcheted up the drama, the title contenders’ fortunes swung backwards and forwards whereas the battle for victory was fought between the McLaren drivers and, most improbably, Nico Hulkenberg’s Drive India.
It’s no shock the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix stays the top-rated race by RaceFans readers. With a mean rating of 9.45 out of 10, it could by no means be overwhelmed.
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May the 2025 season produce a drama to rival that? There are a lot of elements nonetheless to find out how aggressive this season seems to be.
Probably the most important of those can be at what level every crew calls time on its 2025 automotive growth and switches its focus to subsequent season. This can be a main level this yr as a result of subsequent season will convey a large change within the technical rules, however it was not the case in 2012.
McLaren and Purple Bull have made the early working to date and can certainly do all the things they’ll to ship a championship this yr. However Mercedes and (to a higher extent) Ferrari have already misplaced sufficient floor that in the event that they don’t make positive factors over the approaching races, a shift of focus to 2026 would be the apparent strategic transfer.
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Tied in with that is the much-vaunted change within the FIA’s entrance wing deflection take a look at, scheduled to come back into drive at spherical 9, the Spanish Grand Prix. Some drivers, resembling Charles Leclerc, already see this as a possible alternative. However Leclerc, Ferrari’s best-placed driver, is already 52 factors behind and may scarcely afford to drop many extra between from time to time even when that race proves a turning level.
May one driver assert themselves over the competitors, as we noticed the likes of Max Verstappen do in latest seasons? Oscar Piastri seems to be the likeliest candidate to do this, having now gained three of the primary 5 rounds. What occurs subsequent within the intra-McLaren crew combat, now that Piastri has moved forward of Lando Norris within the factors standings, could have a profound bearing on the championship combat.
Verstappen, although, isn’t to be underestimated. In contrast to the McLaren drivers he can take it without any consideration that Purple Bull will function as a one-car crew round him – Yuki Tsunoda was deployed to present him the advantage of a tow in qualifying at Jeddah. The RB21 is probably not fairly as aggressive as an MCL39, however Verstappen has the strategic benefits which include understanding his crew mate is just not a rival for the world championship.
The F1 discipline of 2025 is probably not as broadly aggressive because it was 13 years in the past, however the substances for an additional down-to-the-wire title combat are there. A repeat of that spellbinding 2012 race is unquestionably an excessive amount of to count on of the venue for this yr’s finale, Yas Marina, the place rainfall is as (in)frequent as thrilling races.
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