McLaren
Automobile MCL39 Engine Mercedes Principal Andrea Stella Debut Monaco 1966 GPs 970 Titles 9 Final season 1st. In place to construct on securing the constructors’ championship in 2024, McLaren will likely be fast out of the blocks. The automobile was the standout in testing and confidence is excessive. Classes had been realized by way of questionable execution final yr they usually have two excellent drivers who’re each hungrily eyeing the crew’s first drivers’ title since 2008. How they handle them could also be key from the off.
Drivers
Lando Norris (GB, 25) No 4 Debut Australia 2019 Wins 4 Poles 9 Titles 0 Finest season end 2nd Final season 2nd. As soon as given the automobile to compete, eagerly took the struggle to Max Verstappen final season however by his personal admission was often discovered wanting. Believes he has recognized and handled these shortcomings, not least in a willpower to face down the Dutchman. With a fast automobile nothing lower than the title must be the goal.
Oscar Piastri (Aus, 23) No 81 Debut Bahrain 2023 Wins 2 Poles 0 Finest qualifying 2nd Titles 0 Finest season end 4th Final season 4th. Has made nice strides within the earlier two seasons and proved solely unintimidated in taking management and bossing his option to wins. Extra will certainly observe. Fearsomely fast and an incisive overtaker however to mount a title problem he should match Norris in qualifying and get one of the best from his race tyres.
Ferrari
Automobile SF-25 Engine Ferrari Principal Frédéric Vasseur Debut Monaco 1950 GPs 1,098 Titles 16 Final season 2nd. Having fun with a resurgence as Vasseur’s affect is felt, the Scuderia are shifting from energy to energy. With a relaxed management from the highest bringing stability and goal, plus optimism that final yr’s weaknesses within the automobile have been eradicated, to not point out two of one of the best drivers on the grid, Ferrari ought to be real contenders. Something in need of commonly preventing for wins will likely be disappointing.
Drivers
Charles Leclerc (Mnc, 27) No 16 Debut Australia 2018 Wins 8 Poles 26 Titles 0 Finest season end 2nd Final season 3rd. Carried out constantly final season and when Ferrari had the automobile firing, returned nicely with some drives highlighting his uncommon expertise. Going up towards Hamilton will likely be his hardest problem however one which has impressed each drivers and as a veteran now on the crew, Leclerc has each cause to imagine he ought to be on prime of any Ferrari title tilt.
Lewis Hamilton (GB, 40) No 44 Debut Australia 2007 Wins 105 Poles 104 Titles 7 Final season seventh. A brand new problem at Ferrari has invigorated the seven-times champion. Motivated and charged-up, and though beginning afresh with a brand new crew will likely be removed from straightforward, Hamilton is relishing the duty. The SF-25 appears to be like to go well with his driving type and he’ll throw his all into it, which is prone to be gripping regardless of the final result.
Purple Bull
Automobile RB21 Engine Honda RBPT Principal Christian Horner Debut Australia 2005 GPs 393 Titles 6 Final season third. A critical misstep in growing the automobile was expensive in 2024 and testing suggests they’re nonetheless to resolve it, given Max Verstappen and his technical director Pierre Wache have but to be satisfied. Will probably be within the combine on the entrance however this time in a critical dogfight and with out the security web of a dominant opening.
Drivers
Max Verstappen (Neth, 27) No 1 Debut Australia 2015 Wins 63 Poles 40 Titles 4 Final season Champion. Battled onerous and in sometimes uncompromising type to grind out his fourth championship after the Red Bull fell away mid-season in 2024. Exhibits no signal of any diminishing starvation however with the automobile nonetheless not fairly the place he needs it, and sure assailed by a number of rivals, could also be set for the struggle of his profession to efficiently defend the title.
Liam Lawson (NZ, 23) No 30 Debut Netherlands 2023 Finest race end ninth Poles 0 Finest qualifying fifth Titles 0 Finest season end twentieth Final season twenty first. Going face to face with Verstappen is a large ask that has damaged many however Lawson appears to be like of stern stuff having taken over from Daniel Ricciardo at RB final yr. Mentally sturdy and extremely rated, stable returns to again the Dutchman and maintain the crew within the title struggle will likely be thought of a hit.
Mercedes
Automobile W16 Engine Mercedes Principal Toto Wolff Debut France 1954 GPs 317 Titles 8 Final season 4th. Having struggled for the reason that final regulation change in 2022, Mercedes are optimistic they’ve lastly ironed out the inconsistencies which have plagued each experience since then. At occasions final yr they’d the quickest automobile and if they’ve transformed that into all-round efficiency they are going to be real gamers. The cool circumstances in testing might have benefited them disproportionately, nonetheless, wherein case one other rollercoaster might await.
Drivers
George Russell (GB, 27) No 63 Debut Australia 2019 Wins 3 Poles 5 Titles 0 Finest season end 4th Final season sixth. Now crew chief with Hamilton having moved on, Russell is greater than able to step up. Demonstrated final yr he could be unyielding and strong in racing Verstappen and that given the instruments he can ship. If Mercedes have the automobile he’ll really feel his time has come.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (It, 18) No 12 Debut Australia 2025 Wins 0 Poles 0 Titles 0 Finest season end N/A Final season N/A. A graduate of their junior programme, Mercedes have proven monumental religion in selling Kimi, as he’s recognized, to exchange Hamilton. An enormous ask for the person who would be the third-youngest driver in F1 historical past when he takes to the grid in Melbourne. Inexperienced however fast, aggressive and drives on intuition. Count on fireworks.
Aston Martin
Automobile AMR25 Engine Mercedes Principal Andy Cowell Debut Netherlands 1959 GPs 95 Titles 0 Finest end fifth Final season 5th. Adrian Newey didn’t arrive from Purple Bull in time to have a cloth affect on the AMR25 so his design genius has but to be felt and he’s doubtless already targeted on 2026. In the meantime, Cowell, ex-Mercedes, has stepped up as principal and the brand new automobile is unquestionably higher than a lacklustre testing instructed, however their spot as better of the remaining is below critical menace regardless of huge assets.
Drivers
Fernando Alonso (Sp, 43) No 14 Debut Australia 2001 Wins 32 Poles 22 Titles 2 Final season ninth. Seemingly now seeking to nonetheless be within the sport for 2026, when Newey, new regs and a brand new Honda engine may catapult Aston to the entrance, Alonso should show he’s nonetheless a pressure to be reckoned with. Has the chops, however will take luck in addition to his innate aptitude to attain a podium this season.
Lance Stroll (Can, 26) No 18 Debut Australia 2017 Finest race end third Poles 1 Titles 0 Finest season end tenth Final season thirteenth. Even given his father owns the crew, Stroll must return higher finishes with extra consistency. He too may already be eyeing the siren name of subsequent season however ought to now exhibit that he can sustain and even from time to time surpass his teammate and extract extra from an imperfect experience.
Alpine
Automobile A525 Engine Renault Principal Oliver Oakes Debut Bahrain 2021 GPs 90 Titles 0 Finest end 4th Final season sixth. F1’s perennial underachievers are again for one more shot at breaking freed from the midfield shackles. Oakes, appointed halfway by way of final season, has steadied the ship and made vital enhancements, with the potential for a lot extra. With a energetic driver pairing, run in testing suggests they’re nicely positioned to begin strongly in a decent midfield.
Drivers
Pierre Gasly (Fr, 29) No 10 Debut Malaysia 2017 Wins 1 Poles 0 Finest qualifying 2nd Titles 0 Finest season end seventh Final season tenth. Has the expertise and the verve to steer and galvanise the crew in the event that they do certainly hit that upward curve and continues to be able to stirring, compelling drives. Now has probability to construct a brand new, harmonious relationship along with his teammate Jack Doohan after a fractious one with the earlier incumbent Esteban Ocon.
Jack Doohan (Aus, 22) No 7 Debut Abu Dhabi 2024 Finest race end fifteenth Poles 0 Finest qualifying 17th Titles 0 Finest season end twenty fourth Final season 24th. Made his debut within the last assembly final season and has lengthy expertise at Alpine as a reserve and academy driver however opens below monumental strain. Alpine have already introduced in Franco Colapinto as their reserve after he made such an impression with Williams final yr and Doohan has to make a case to maintain his seat in no brief order.
Haas
Automobile VF-25 Engine Ferrari Principal Ayao Komatsu Debut Australia 2016 GPs 190 Titles 0 Finest end fifth Final season seventh. Komatsu did a stand-up job to maneuver Haas ahead from what was a low in 2023 and what was anticipated to be one other painful yr in 2024. Each indication that he has continued the progress. The automobile was rock-solid in testing the place they targeted on race tempo and tyre put on, a former weak point, whereas they’ve drivers that would push past expectations of one other seventh place.
Drivers
Esteban Ocon (Fr, 28) No 31 Debut Belgium 2016 Wins 1 Poles 0 Finest qualifying third Titles 0 Finest season end eighth Final season 14th. Distributed with when relationship with Alpine and his teammate Gasly frayed in July 2024 though an outstanding second place in Brazil was a reminder of how good he will be. An skilled hand, will likely be anticipated to steer the Haas assault however with a robust problem from his teammate.
Oliver Bearman (GB, 19) No 87 Debut Saudi Arabia 2024 Finest race end seventh Poles 0 Finest qualifying 10th Titles 0 Finest season end 18th Final season 18th. Impressed because the super-sub for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Jeddah final season after which later for Haas. Deserved the accolades he earned, is fast and has proved he can adapt nicely alongside having fun with a prodigious fee of enchancment. Carries excessive expectations however exhibits each indication of assembly them and can count on to attain very important factors.
Racing Bulls
Automobile VCARB 02 Engine Purple Bull RBPT Principal Laurent Mekies Debut Bahrain 2006 GPs 353 Titles 0 Finest end sixth Final season eighth. Mekies, now getting into his second season in cost at Purple Bull’s sister crew, will count on stability and to construct a constant problem, particularly after the distraction round Daniel Ricciardo final yr. The automobile is the nicest-looking the crew have fielded for a while however nonetheless seems a handful to drive which can depart them floundering in a fiercely aggressive pack.
Drivers
Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn, 24) No 22 Debut Bahrain 2021 Finest race end 4th Poles 0 Finest qualifying third Titles 0 Finest season end twelfth Final season twelfth. Upset to not be given a shot with Purple Bull after what was his finest season but in 2024 with 9 factors finishes and a superlative third on the grid in treacherous circumstances in Brazil. Extra managed and constant than when he started 4 years in the past, nonetheless Tsunoda is now doubtless driving to make his case for a future with one other crew.
Isack Hadjar (Fr, 20) No 6 Debut Australia 2025 Wins 0 Poles 0 Titles 0 Finest season end N/A Final season N/A. Promoted from the Purple Bull junior programme and supported by its overseer, Helmut Marko, a lot is predicted of Hadjar, who has no little tempo. Was up to the mark throughout testing, particularly for a rookie, however tends to lose his cool below strain.
Williams
Automobile FW47 Engine Mercedes Principal James Vowles Debut Spain 1977 GPs 834 Titles 9 Final season ninth. Vowles continues the rebuilding course of at Williams with indications his efforts are being rewarded sooner slightly than later. After a battering final yr the brand new automobile appears to be like fast and secure, sturdy out and in of corners and made the case to steer the midfield in testing. A large leap for the crew who’ve two ready drivers in what may very well be their finest season since 2017.
Drivers
Alexander Albon (Thai, 28) No 23 Debut Australia 2019 Wins 0 Finest race end third Poles 0 Finest qualifying 4th Titles 0 Finest season end seventh Final season sixteenth. After a optimistic collection of enhancing seasons, underperformed by his personal requirements final yr, at occasions overshadowed by new boy Colapinto. Will count on an enchancment and desires it going face to face along with his new teammate who will likely be seeking to take the lead and make his mark.
Carlos Sainz Jr (Sp, 30) No 55 Debut Australia 2015 Wins 4 Poles 6 Titles 0 Finest season end fifth Final season fifth. Unlucky to be dropped by Ferrari in favour of Hamilton after having put in a stable, battling stint with the Scuderia. With no room on the entrance of the grid was tenaciously pursued by Vowles who recognised his expertise as a key asset to a crew on the up. A dogged fighter and simply what Williams wants.
Sauber
Automobile C45 Engine Ferrari Principal Mattia Binotto (interim) Jonathan Wheatley (from 1 April) Debut South Africa 1993 GPs 486 Titles 0 Finest end 2nd Final season tenth. The final gasp earlier than re-emerging because the Audi works crew in 2026 appears to be like set to be at best possible a interval of making-do. Wheatley, who performed an enormous half in Purple Bull’s current success, will likely be a robust addition however with the automobile ponderous and off the tempo and the main target already set forward, they seem destined to deliver up the rear.
Drivers
Nico Hülkenberg (Ger, 37) No 27 Debut Bahrain 2010 Finest race end 4th Poles 1 Titles 0 Finest season end seventh Final season eleventh. Introduced in for his expertise because the crew transition to Audi he too will likely be trying towards 2026, however with a rookie teammate should be anticipated to tug no matter he can from the C45 and elevate the crew from the again of the grid. Nonetheless, that elusive first F1 podium appears to be like additional than ever after 227 begins for the Hulk.
Gabriel Bortoleto (Bra, 20) No 5 Debut Australia 2025 Wins 0 Poles 0 Titles 0 Finest season end N/A Final season N/A. The previous McLaren junior who took the F3 and F2 championships in his rookie seasons has no little pedigree and is managed by Alonso’s firm. Binotto has praised his tempo, perspective and large potential with a watch on his function at Audi however, for now, a bruising rookie season awaits with Sauber.
