It’s finally time for Formula One’s 75th anniversary year to roar in and the season is promising some serious racing action, along with, of course, some gritty drama. Max Verstappen will be dead set on winning his fifth World Driver’s Champion title, but Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton – among others – will be eager to spoil that party. With new regulations coming into force in 2026, this will be the final year of the current-gen cars. Some new rules have also been set in place this year. There’s just too much to look forward to. Here’s everything that has been excited about the upcoming Formula One season.
Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari: A Historic Union
If there’s one storyline that has stolen headlines over the past year, it’s Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari. After over a decade with Mercedes, the seven-time world champion has taken a bold step, joining the most iconic team in Formula 1 history. The prospect of Hamilton donning the Scuderia red is nothing short of tantalising. Can he break Ferrari’s title drought and deliver the championship they’ve been longing for? Will he adapt quickly to a new environment after spending years as Mercedes’ undisputed leader? Ferrari’s track record has been inconsistent, but with Hamilton’s experience and leadership, the Prancing Horse might finally have what it takes to mount a serious title bid. Regardless of the outcome, Hamilton’s presence at Ferrari is a seismic shift in the sport. His partnership with Charles Leclerc also raises questions—will it be a harmonious collaboration, or could it lead to intra-team tensions? Either way, this is a storyline that will dominate discussions throughout the season.
A Fight for the Crown
Max Verstappen has been nothing short of dominant in recent years, cementing himself as one of the all-time greats with four consecutive World Drivers’ Championships. However, the road to a fifth title won’t be a walk in the park. The Red Bull ace faces an increasingly formidable challenge, most notably from McLaren’s rising star, Lando Norris. Having finally claimed his maiden victory last season, he’s hungry for more. And then there’s Lewis Hamilton, who will sit in the cockpit of a Ferrari for the first time in his career. Depending on how the SF-25 has shaped up, he is also poised to present a big challenge to Max’s dominance.
A Fresh Grid
Speaking of driver changes, the 2025 season will see a host of new faces make their full-time debuts in Formula 1. At Haas, Ollie Bearman returns to the grid following three super-sub appearances in 2024, the first of which was especially memorable after the teenager scored points following a last-minute call-up to replace an unwell Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Saudi Arabia. Bearman will be joined on the grid by his former F2 teammate Kimi Antonelli, with the Italian filling Lewis Hamilton’s vacant seat at Mercedes. Over at Alpine, Jack Doohan will replace Esteban Ocon as Pierre Gasly’s new teammate. Also making the step up this year will be the two main championship contenders from the 2024 Formula 2 season. Title winner Gabriel Bortoleto is set to race for Kick Sauber, while runner-up Isack Hadjar fills Liam Lawson’s spot at RB. With this new batch of rookies making up one-quarter of the grid, it will certainly be interesting to see how each of them fares at their respective teams.
New Rules, Big Impact
While the full-scale regulation changes are reserved for 2026, Formula 1 isn’t staying stagnant in 2025. The fastest lap bonus point has been removed, ensuring that only race position determines the scoring. To combat extreme heat, mandatory driver cooling systems will be introduced when temperatures exceed 31°C. Rookie drivers will see increased FP1 running opportunities, doubling the track time available to them. Testing regulations now restrict race drivers to only four days of running in older cars, ensuring fairness in development. Additionally, the FIA has tightened the rear wing and DRS rules to eliminate “mini-DRS” concepts and enhance aerodynamic consistency. Qualifying classifications have also been updated to provide clear procedures in case of cancellations, using the Drivers’ Championship order as a fallback. Lastly, a mule car tyre test will be introduced at the end of the season to aid in the development of 2026’s new regulations. These changes set the stage for an exciting and competitive season.
The Last Dance for the Current Generation of Cars
Before Formula 1 ushers in its next era in 2026, 2025 marks the final chapter for the current generation of cars. Since the significant regulation overhaul in 2022, these machines have delivered some spectacular racing, and teams now have a complete understanding of how to extract maximum performance from them. With no major technical resets, 2025 could see the closest racing we’ve had in years. Every team will be working on refining and perfecting their current package rather than preparing for a radical shift, meaning we could witness some of the fastest and most optimised cars ever produced in this era. By the time the final checkered flag falls on this generation, we might see lap records shattered, intense wheel-to-wheel battles, and the full realisation of the aerodynamic regulations introduced in 2022.
A Season to Remember
Formula 1 thrives on drama, excitement, and unpredictability, and 2025 has all the ingredients to be one of the best seasons in recent memory. Whether it’s Verstappen fighting for his fifth title, Norris pushing him to the limit, an influx of new talent shaking things up, or the emotional weight of Hamilton’s Ferrari move, there’s no shortage of storylines to follow.