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 Purple Bull seat, and a fellow referred to 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 generally produces snooze fests on race Sundays, nevertheless it’s at all times stuffed with craziness, no less than off the monitor – so you’ll be able to nearly by no means rule something out. Listed below are some wild predictions from the followers which have a very good 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 tough. However is it actually so unlikely?

Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing

Photograph by: Purple Bull Content material Pool

No query, even with arguably the third-fastest automotive final yr, Verstappen was in a position to rating constantly and did not even enable Lando Norris to shut the championship hole within the second half of 2024. However the brand new Purple Bull appears extremely just like final yr’s – and visually, no less than, among the rival groups’ vehicles characterize main developments.

There are numerous ifs on this equation, however what if Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren make an even bigger step ahead than Purple Bull? Verstappen is definitely an awesome driver, however will he have the ability to compensate if the hole will get too huge?

The prospect of the Dutchman not being concerned in a title combat nonetheless sounds too unrealistic, however 12 months in the past it regarded like 2024 can be as straightforward 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 legitimate level. The gaps are inclined to shrink when F1 retains the identical rules for a number of years – and if nothing anomalous occurs, we’ll undoubtedly see some shut racing on the entrance. And perhaps it will not simply be McLaren, Ferrari, Purple Bull and Mercedes preventing it out. If that’s the 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 Photographs

Sure, Aston Martin clearly struggled final yr – the string of podiums from early 2023 already appears like a very long time in the past. However again then, Alonso was only one strategic choice away from successful at Monaco: had the crew 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. Ultimately, Aston Martin’s spectacular crew of engineers must resolve what has stalled the crew’s progress over the previous yr and a half. Plus, Adrian Newey is because of be part of at first of March, and perhaps – simply perhaps – the genius will casually level them in the precise route for automotive improvement.

It would most likely take extra than simply: “Oh, guys, this half must be 2mm greater and that’ll offer you 20 further 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 think about placing Yuki Tsunoda behind the wheel of considered one of Purple Bull’s vehicles, it is nearly unimaginable that the Japanese driver will find yourself as one of many crew’s drivers. It was solely final December that Tsunoda was provided a take a look at with Purple Bull – apparently after the crew had already selected its 2025 line-up – and now it is nearly 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 crew driver.

Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda

Photograph by: Lubomir Asenov / Motorsport Photographs

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

You do not have to suppose too arduous in regards to the circumstances which may pressure Purple Bull to no less than think about swapping Lawson for Tsunoda. The New Zealander was moved to the primary crew 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 unhealthy as Sergio Perez’s final, the crew chiefs could also be left with no selection.

Antonelli to interrupt Verstappen’s file as youngest winner

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

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs

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

Quite a bit 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 automotive if he did not imagine in his potential. How rapidly he can adapt to F1 stays one of many largest 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 carry 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 just isn’t a precedence for his crew. In truth, he’d fairly sacrifice the ultimate season earlier than F1 enters a brand new period in 2026 than jeopardise the longer term. Nevertheless, Williams made actual progress all through final season and begins the brand new marketing campaign with a automotive that was born in a significantly better surroundings than its predecessor and is no 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 in the course of the time he shared a storage with Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant, however who can rule out the concept that he did not at all times get absolutely the most out of the automotive? Now Williams has a confirmed race winner. In a loopy race – and in a season of 24 rounds, some are positive to be chaotic – you’ll be able to depend on Sainz to maintain his nostril clear and give you one thing particular.

Drivers to strike in opposition to FIA

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

It is arduous 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 may be clearly some type of frustration of their ranks, particularly in mild of the current information about swearing fines. Repeat offenders face not solely monetary penalties (that are fairly hefty!) but in addition 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 combat is fairly uncomfortable.

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

Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs

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 difficult to foretell.

Simply think about: somebody like Max Verstappen (identify 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 Resort Steirerschlössl? There isn’t 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 could have a tough activity going up in opposition to skilled teammates. However it’s most likely Ollie Bearman who stands the very best likelihood of really beating his storage neighbour.

On paper, Ocon, a race winner with nearly 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 be taught rapidly. Defeating Nico Hulkenberg in qualifying in Baku after which scoring a degree within the race was wonderful 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 Photographs

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 needs to drive a purple Formulation 1 automotive at some point should not simply goal to beat any of their team-mates – that must be their solely objective.

Perez to return earlier than finish of season

The four-year stint (or perhaps simply the final couple of seasons, to be truthful) has actually broken the Mexican’s repute. At instances, he regarded hopeless within the second Purple 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 previous pace and tenacity.

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

Can Sergio Perez get again to F1?

Photograph by: Purple 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 might say there’s an excessive amount of unhealthy blood between Horner and Perez in the mean time, however do not forget Ricciardo left Purple Bull to signal with Cyril Abiteboul, who appeared to harass Horner nearly 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, nevertheless it was throughout his two-year stint with Haas that he actually showcased that ability. The German’s means to place a lap collectively on demand is nothing in need of extraordinary – and a few of his Saturday performances deserve some critical reward. Bear in mind him qualifying second in Canada in 2023?

He is transferring to a crew that, on paper, appears 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 automotive in the direction of the tip 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 arduous to think about him placing his Sauber on the entrance row in combined situations? Undoubtedly 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 should be feeling immense strain. 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 crew signing up sponsors from his homeland solely provides gas to the hearth.

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

Jack Doohan, Alpine F1 Crew, in cockpit

Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs

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 wish to imagine it!) is in his fingers. 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!

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