Our writers’ left-field F1 2025 predictions

It is customary to make the standard predictions forward of a model new Method 1 season: who’s going to win the title, which crew goes to be the constructors’ champion, yada and certainly, yada. Lately, even a crystal ball from Temu would possible lead any clairvoyants on a finances to foretell Max Verstappen would win the title, so there’s not been a lot enjoyable available in that space.

The 2025 season could be a bit totally different, however you’ll be able to relaxation assured that our solid of journalists will scribble down – or certainly, declare on video – their suggestions for the title in some unspecified time in the future this season.

As an alternative, we have determined to ask them some barely totally different questions on 2025’s proceedings – with a barely totally different slant, simply to check their imaginations. This is what they mentioned about F1’s upcoming seventy fifth season…

Contributors: Jake Boxall-Legge, Filip Cleeren, Haydn Cobb, Ben Hunt, Erwin Jaeggi, Alex Kalinauckas, Mark Mann-Bryans, Kevin Turner, Ronald Vording.

What can be this 12 months’s principal technical controversy?

Ronald Vording: 2025 can develop into an fascinating 12 months for behind-the-scenes controversies. A whole lot of groups will search for loopholes within the 2026 rules and possibly accuse others of exploring them. However I feel 2025 will ship extra of the identical, with a primary subject already there: the clampdown on flexi-wings and particularly the timing of it. Further checks of the entrance wings solely come into play in Barcelona, and never all groups appear blissful in regards to the precise timings and that comes as no shock. Groups with a entrance wing that did not flex as a lot as a few of its rivals are pressured to observe if they do not wish to have a drawback for eight races, earlier than these investments can probably go into the bin.

Alex Kalinauckas: Flexi-wings. Once more. With the foundations so secure and clarification already coming for the Spanish GP, the one space the place it appeared a number of groups have been gaining and others apparently shedding up by not pushing the envelope fairly has onerous in 2024 because the potential to be a serious bust up this time. Count on numerous social media ‘evaluation’ of movies showing to indicate wings deflecting at velocity and subsequent technical director snark claiming it doesn’t present what anybody thinks it does.

Ben Hunt: Final season it was all flexi-wings and bibs. It has been some time since we have now had an excellent, old school engine row. I’m hope that we get one thing like that to see off this technology of energy models.

Jake Boxall-Legge: I will make the outlandish suggestion that somebody’s going to give you one thing wild for 2025, on the idea that it is the final 12 months of the present regs and if it will get banned, they’ll simply change focus to 2026. That being mentioned, have we actually heard the final of the purported ride-height gadget that Purple Bull was mentioned to have run – and might somebody capitalise on that legally (or, alternatively, by surreptitious means)? Hopefully!

What’s going to set off one other Horner/Wolff disagreement?

Filip Cleeren: It appears like McLaren’s Zak Brown has taken over from Toto Wolff stirring the pot and attempting to prod Christian Horner, which I am certain is not coincidence if you see the constructors’ championship desk. So if one other Horner/Wolff spat is coming, it’s going to possible coincide with Mercedes being reliably aggressive once more.

Alex Kalinauckas: The primary time Max Verstappen and George Russell get anyplace close to one another on-track – even in testing. Verstappen’s unyielding character just isn’t going to have grown any extra cuddly after a 12 months the place his cynical racing ways have been severely questioned and Russell has been open in saying he hasn’t backed away from any of the purpose making he was doing within the 2024 Abu Dhabi finale whereas tucking in his little doubt calorie managed Christmas dinner both. In the event that they do collide, anticipate fireworks en masse.

Haydn Cobb: Max Verstappen – The courting of the Dutch driver is not over, even when Wolff mentioned it’s. Each Mercedes drivers are contracted till the top of 2025 and no one would flip down the prospect to safe Verstappen’s providers. Assuming Antonelli does not throw it on the wall each race, the flirting will not be as robust as final 12 months, however I would not be stunned if Wolff laced a couple of feedback to maintain the hearth burning and Horner scowling.

Who will choose up the primary swearing effective of the 12 months?

Mark Mann-Bryans: Yuki Tsunoda – annoyed at being missed for the Purple Bull seat in favour of Liam Lawson, the diminutive Japanese driver can be aiming to indicate that the fallacious choice was taken. So let’s be ready for some robust racing on observe and the potential for some robust language away from it ought to issues not fairly go Tsunoda’s approach.

Ben Hunt: For fuck’s sake, is that this nonetheless happening? I feel it is going to be Verstappen, who let’s keep in mind is already strolling a disciplinary tightrope. Might he develop into the primary F1 driver to obtain a race ban for swearing?

Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing

Photograph by: Purple Bull Content material Pool

Kevin Turner: Isack Hadjar. Should you thought Max Verstappen’s and Yuki Tsunoda’s radio messages have been vibrant, wait till the French rookie will get going! There’s numerous strain on rookies in fashionable F1 and Hadjar has earlier from F2…

Erwin Jaeggi: This would possibly double as my wildest F1 prediction for 2025, however I really don’t assume we’ll see any fines for swearing this 12 months. It’s not like press conferences have been ever full of profanity to start with, and when it did occur, it was normally unintended. These drivers spend a lot of their lives in a marketing-driven setting and are nicely conscious they’re beneath fixed scrutiny. With swearing now carrying even harsher penalties and F1 drivers — being clever people — and crew PR workers possible holding a fair nearer eye on it, I don’t assume this can be as a lot of a speaking level as it’s now. That mentioned, I do hope the stewards will present some frequent sense when coping with the occasional slip of the tongue.

Who will take the primary DNF of the season?

Filip Cleeren: Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in Melbourne after banging wheels in Flip 1 on the primary lap. Not as a result of I harbour any ailing emotions in opposition to both driver, however simply because it will be enjoyable, particularly off the entrance row.

Mark Mann-Bryans: Lewis Hamilton – I simply have a sense life at Ferrari could be tough for Hamilton to regulate to, particularly up in opposition to a robust and Maranello-established team-mate in Charles Leclerc. He’ll get it proper ultimately and I fancy him to have an pleasant first season with Ferrari – however I can not shake the thought of him struggling in Australia.

Kevin Turner: Andrea Kimi Antonelli or Lance Stroll. Antonelli can be quick and is clearly an thrilling expertise, however he will certainly have a couple of incidents as nicely. Aston Martin will in all probability be focusing its principal efforts on the regulation change for 2026, so the AMR25 could also be mired within the midfield and Stroll is, nicely, please see the 2024 Brazilian GP.

Ronald Vording: This may be anybody, however my educated guess would – for a number of causes – be Isack Hadjar. Driving for Racing Bulls he’ll almost certainly begin within the midfield in Melbourne, and chaos is rarely far-off within the opening levels of that race. One of many principal duties for him this 12 months, as Helmut Marko rightfully pointed it, is to maintain his cool. That is not a straightforward activity for any newcomer in F1, however particularly not for Hadjar after we take his hot-headed radio feedback into consideration. Having mentioned that, a DNF at his debut would not be a catastrophe in any respect. Rookies ought to get time to be taught and Hadjar in all probability has the pure velocity to succeed, so the moments of studying that 2025 will inevitably convey are all a part of the sport.

Ben Hunt: That is full guesswork after all, however I’d say Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber.

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24, will get beached within the gravel previous to the beginning

Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures

Who could have the worst livery in 2025?

Haydn Cobb: Purple Bull – Solely as a result of it is going to be the identical as yearly and even for iconic groups that will get boring. Have a look at the refined however efficient tweaks Ferrari and Mercedes have made recently.

Alex Kalinauckas: Sauber. Going by latest crew social media posts that absolutely undermine the purpose of the F1 75 Stay occasion in London subsequent week, we already know what a swathe of the grids liveries are going to seem like by way of their principal colors, with the (primarily) Swiss-based crew a part of this. And, primarily based on what we’ve seen to this point, 2025 goes to be a repeat of the lurid Stay and Kicking meets Microsoft Paint strategy of final 12 months. Hopefully there can be a bit extra of the Las Vegas squiggles, as the usual paint job by some means made neon inexperienced boring. Or possibly that was simply the automotive’s tempo…

Ronald Vording: That is in all probability a detailed name between Haas and Sauber. Haas liveries aren’t normally probably the most thrilling ones on the grid and I do not assume 2025 can be an exception. The Sauber colors are extra hanging, however personally I wasn’t a fan of their 2024 look. This season will in all probability be extra of the identical, though you’ll be able to’t blame them for taking place this route. Stake brings within the much-needed cash, particularly throughout these transitional years of the crew, which implies they’ve to just accept any color scheme. Anyhow, the Sauber-Stake partnership will not result in any classics on the subject of F1 liveries…

Mark Mann-Bryans: You wish to assume all 10 groups can be pushing the envelope this 12 months, given they are going to be unveiling their liveries all beneath one roof at London’s O2 Area on February 18. The probabilities are, nonetheless, not less than a kind of 10 squads will make an error and overdo it. So on that foundation I am going to go for the crew that goals to be cool and, utilizing a saying not heard in 30 years, down with the children. So for me, Racing Bulls is my choose.

Which circuits will we lose from the calendar on the finish of 2025?

Alex Kalinauckas: Barcelona. The remainder both have contracts or wonderful Method One Administration hyperlinks (its personal occasion in Vegas simply isn’t going anyplace) and it’s onerous to see how the Montmelo observe retains its place with Madrid’s arrival in 2026. In some ways it’s a disgrace to lose one of the best total take a look at of automotive designs. However the many race processions gained’t be missed, nor what generally is a patchy fan expertise at greatest and an parched one at worst.

Erwin Jaeggi: I’ve a deep love for the Emilia-Romagna area — I am really planning to spend my summer time vacation there — however I worry Imola gained’t make it onto the 2026 calendar. With F1 aiming to broaden its international attain, sustaining two races in Italy appears more and more tough. That mentioned, there’s hope that Imola might return sooner or later as a part of the rotation system F1 is seeking to introduce.

Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, the remainder of the sphere at the beginning

Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Pictures

Ben Hunt: Other than Imola, I do surprise if Mexico will renew its deal now that Sergio Perez is now not on the grid. It is going to be fascinating to see what influence his departure from F1 has on ticket gross sales.

Jake Boxall-Legge: We’ll lose not less than one if F1 is sticking to a most of 24 races, and I am in all probability one of many few folks optimistic about Madrid (if nothing else, it’s going to be a pleasant weekend away!) becoming a member of the calendar. I like Imola, however that looks as if the sensible cash choice, whereas Ben’s suggestion of Mexico additionally is sensible in a post-Perez period. Possibly each go, and Kyalami fills the twenty fourth spot given South Africa’s newest push for a race? Stranger issues have occurred.

The place will Lawson end within the championship – and what number of races will he win?

Filip Cleeren: Like many, I’m nonetheless unsure what Liam Lawson’s final potential can be. However I do observe Purple Bull’s reasoning that he can be up for the problem and will not wilt simply beneath the strain. I am going to put him down as fifth, inside a sizeable however respectable distance of Verstappen, and I can see a state of affairs wherein he nicks an opportunistic debut win.

Ronald Vording: Sixth, with zero race wins – loads will depend on the RB21 and if Purple Bull can clear up the steadiness points. Since Miami, Purple Bull did not have the quickest automotive and confronted each steadiness and correlation points. Verstappen held onto his championship lead, however one have a look at his team-mate is sufficient to see how particular that efficiency was. Perez struggled, though the info reveals that his deficit in comparison with Verstappen wasn’t a lot larger than in years earlier than. It simply grew to become extra painful as different groups caught up and ultimately handed Purple Bull. Along with a really unpredictable automotive it proved a mountain to climb. Lawson will face the identical problem – nicely, hopefully for him with out the steadiness points – and possibly has to hearken to Helmut Marko’s recommendation to succeed. Lawson should not have a look at Verstappen an excessive amount of and simply give attention to himself.

Kevin Turner: Seventh. He can be nearer to Max Verstappen than Sergio Perez was and will beat Andrea Kimi Antonelli within the standings. However Purple Bull in all probability will not be as robust because it was at the beginning of 2024 and the main target can be on getting as many factors and wins as attainable for Verstappen. So, no wins and seventh for Lawson, which will not essentially be a catastrophe if he will be nearer to his crew chief than what we noticed at Purple Bull final 12 months.

Which rookie will impress probably the most over 2025?

Ben Hunt: I’m excited to see how Oliver Bearman develops at Haas and I feel he can be spectacular, even when the outcomes don’t stand out. I feel the one who will impress probably the most can be Andrea Kimi Antonelli. It is going to be a steep studying curve however I imagine that, in Russell, he has the best teammate who can assist him develop shortly.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes-AMG F1 Group, Oliver Bearman, Reserve Driver, Ferrari and Haas F1 Group, play pickleball within the Paddock

Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures

Haydn Cobb: Oliver Bearman – If he can maintain his nostril clear within the tightly-fought midfield there’s a good alternative for him to bag headline-grabbing outcomes like he did in 2024. Plus, given the trajectory of the groups the opposite rookies have landed in (ignoring Lawson as a rookie on this state of affairs) Haas has a robust likelihood of main the cost to attempt to catch Aston Martin in fifth.

Jake Boxall-Legge: Antonelli ought to impress; he is acquired uncooked velocity by the bucketload. However he’ll disappoint in equal measure, as he makes an attempt to seek out the boundaries of F1 equipment and knocks the tough edges off his sport. I will say Bortoleto, as a result of I feel he is been completely good in his F2-F3 profession to this point. He is quick, constant, and I feel he’ll put Hulkenberg (who stays a category act) beneath strain at Sauber. The automotive may not be all that, however I reckon he is on for a few large paydays as soon as he is tailored to the rigours of the championship.

What’s your wildest 2025 F1 prediction?

Alex Kalinauckas: In an period of continually wild moments, F1 is frustratingly organized to minimise these in its personal sphere. F1 groups completely hate the unpredictable, whereas followers crave it. And is a Williams or Haas victory prediction really that wild? There’s loads of paddock life wildness mentioned in F1 – I hadn’t heard the phrase ‘Love Rhombus’ pre-2024 – however for everybody’s sake it’s unprintable. So, why not Lawson flipping off Oscar Piastri in an spectacular intra-antipodean Melbourne battle to the delight of the house crowd (assuming the McLaren driver nonetheless comes out on prime). I couldn’t have predicted he’d do it to Perez in Mexico in spite of everything, however maybe doing likewise to Verstappen at Zandvoort could be wildly unwise…

Erwin Jaeggi: We’ll head into the ultimate race in Abu Dhabi with three drivers nonetheless in rivalry for the World Championship. Max Verstappen goes to safe his fifth title, ending narrowly forward of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.

Haydn Cobb: Andrea Kimi Antonelli will not be the youngest driver on the F1 grid by the top of the 2025 season – as that can go to Arvid Lindblad when he makes his grand prix debut later within the 12 months.

Filip Cleeren: On a latest podcast I jested Williams’ Alex Albon is technically a world championship contender at this level, such is the great array of pre-season prospects earlier than a wheel has been turned in anger. However I am going to simply double down on it and say both he or Carlos Sainz will by some means win a grand prix for Williams. Simply do not ask me how!

Mark Mann-Bryans: Haas pulled off a little bit of a coup touchdown Esteban Ocon for 2025 – so I will go for the Frenchman delivering the crew’s first-ever F1 podium. Roman Grosjean’s fourth place on the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix is the closest the squad has come to this point, however Ocon is aware of what’s required to get onto the highest three steps and, hopefully within the climate or with reliability, he might break this specific duck for the American outfit.