Australia GP Race Week
F1 2025 Season Opener
All right, we’re talking about F1 team predictions for 2025! I’m hyped for the season’s first three weekends with Australia, China, and Japan — it’s going to be an incredible start to the year. Let’s get into it.
McLaren
While there’s no clear favorite for the World Drivers’ Championship or the Constructors’ title, McLaren has to be at the top of the list for both. With the recent extension for Oscar Piastri, McLaren has locked down one of the best young driver pairings on the grid. Lando Norris, now 25, is entering the prime of his career. This is a big statement year for Lando — I expect him to be a genuine title contender.
Oscar, at 23, hit his stride last season, proving his consistency and ability to be a top-five driver. This duo will be an incredible display of F1 at its peak. However, I could see some friction between Lando and Oscar. We saw hints of it last year, and with Oscar’s contract extension giving him more confidence, he’s likely to race harder. McLaren is going to be must-watch TV all season.
Ferrari
I don’t know if Ferrari has had a more significant offseason in recent history than this one. Lewis Hamilton’s arrival and Carlos Sainz’s departure to Williams have created massive buzz. Ferrari’s brand value has never been higher, and the belief that a title could finally be within reach feels stronger than it has in over a decade.
Leclerc is in great shape, and Hamilton brings experience and a winning mentality that could push Ferrari to the next level. The dynamic between them will be fascinating — will Lewis take the lead, or will Leclerc hold his ground? Ferrari looks better positioned than they have in years, and the excitement around them is palpable.
Red Bull
This is a pivotal season for Red Bull. Adrian Newey’s departure leaves big questions about car performance and future direction. Max Verstappen is still Max, but Liam Lawson stepping into that second seat could create tension.
Lawson has a combative attitude and won’t back down easily — something Max hasn’t dealt with in years. That edge could either elevate Red Bull or create instability. I expect them to still be fast, but the dominance they’ve enjoyed may be slipping. Watching how Red Bull adapts to life post-Newey will be one of the season’s biggest storylines.
Mercedes
This is a make-or-break year for Mercedes. George Russell is stepping into the number one role, but the real pressure falls on Kimi Antonelli. He’s been hyped as the next big thing, but now it’s time to deliver.
George will want to establish himself as the clear leader, and Kimi will face the kind of pressure he’s never experienced before. Mercedes hasn’t looked the same since 2021, and consistency remains a problem. This year will define their long-term direction — do they bounce back into contention, or are they on a slow decline?
Aston Martin
Aston Martin’s real moment will come in 2026 when Adrian Newey’s influence kicks in, but for now, I expect modest improvement. They should be regular points scorers, likely fighting for P6–P10 most weekends.
Consistency will be key. Fernando Alonso’s experience will help them, but the team is still building toward its future. A step forward from last season would be a success, but don’t expect fireworks just yet.
Alpine
Alpine is an intriguing team this year. Jack Doohan steps in as a rookie, while Pierre Gasly remains one of the most consistent drivers on the grid. His zero DNFs in 2024 were impressive — that kind of consistency is rare.
Alpine showed flashes of brilliance last year, including podiums in Brazil. If Doohan adapts quickly and Gasly keeps delivering, they could regularly fight for top-ten finishes.
Haas
Haas will feature two new drivers: Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon. Bearman looked solid in his appearances last year, so while this is technically his rookie season, he’s not starting from scratch.
Ocon brings experience, but the big question is how Bearman handles the transition to a full season. Haas showed improved consistency last year — if they keep that up, regular points finishes are realistic.
VCARB (Visa Cash App Racing Bulls)
Yuki Tsunoda enters the season with a chip on his shoulder after being passed over for the Red Bull seat. He knows this is a contract year and will be racing aggressively to prove himself.
Isaac Hadjar joins from F2 after an impressive season. He’s got talent, but the jump to F1 is tough. If he adapts quickly, VCARB could surprise a few people this year.
There’s also a lot of speculation about Yuki’s future — could he land at Aston Martin if the Honda connection opens a seat? Or maybe Cadillac? Either way, Yuki has something to prove this year.
Williams
Williams might have the biggest jump in performance this season. Pairing Carlos Sainz with Alex Albon gives them their strongest driver lineup in over a decade.
Carlos’s experience and professionalism will push Albon to another level. Williams has been steadily improving, and this could be the year they break into the midfield battle more consistently. If they hit the ground running, regular points finishes are absolutely possible.
Stake-Sauber
Stake Sauber (soon to be Audi) is tough to predict. Nico Hülkenberg remains a solid, reliable driver, and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto — last year’s F2 champion — brings raw talent.
Bortoleto flew under the radar in F2 but delivered a consistent and impressive campaign. If he adapts quickly, Sauber could be a dark horse for points in the second half of the season. The team is clearly building toward 2026, but 2025 could be a sneak peek of what’s coming.
Championship Predictions
This season feels less certain than any in the last decade. After years of Mercedes dominance followed by Red Bull dominance, the field feels more balanced now.
My early bet for the Constructors' Championship is McLaren. They have two elite drivers and momentum on their side. For the Drivers' Championship, I’m backing Lando Norris — this feels like his moment. But Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, and Russell will all be in the mix, chipping away at the standings.
This is shaping up to be a season with genuine unpredictability — the kind of F1 season we’ve all been waiting for. Let’s get it going!
