Formula 1 2025: Key talking points ahead of the new F1 season

The new F1 season is about to kick off, with many exciting highlights to look forward to. Over the next three days, teams will conduct official pre-season testing in Bahrain to prepare for the 2025 season. This will be the first real opportunity for teams, drivers, and fans to understand the strengths and competitive landscape of each team this season. The anticipation is high as everyone gets ready for the challenges ahead.

From drivers chasing new records to a female engineer making history, the 2025 F1 season is filled with fascinating storylines. The following highlights several key aspects to watch out for in the new season. These narratives add depth and excitement to the already thrilling sport.

First, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton will don the red colors of Ferrari. The most dominant driver in F1 history will join the most legendary team, Ferrari, in an attempt to break records and win his eighth world championship. This is also a significant move for Ferrari, who have not won a world championship since 2008. Back then, Ferrari's Massa lost the driver's championship to Hamilton, driving for McLaren, by a single point. This partnership is set to reignite the passion of fans worldwide.

Hamilton stated, "I see the passion at Ferrari, and everything is in good order, something I have never experienced before. This team definitely has all the elements to win races. But we also know that we must continue to work hard, constantly improving and enhancing in certain areas. I believe we can do it." Any move Hamilton makes at Ferrari will be closely watched. If he can win a race early this season, Ferrari fans will be even more convinced that the team will once again dominate the F1 scene. The pressure and expectations are immense.

Secondly, Verstappen will be aiming for a five-peat. The Verstappen era is exciting, breathtaking, and even unbelievable. He has already won four consecutive driver's championships, and even if he retired now, it would be enough to make him one of the greatest drivers of all time. In 2025, he will chase an achievement only Michael Schumacher has accomplished – five consecutive championships. Like Verstappen, Hamilton (2017-2020), Vettel (2010-2013), and Fangio (1954-1957) have also won four consecutive championships. However, only Schumacher won five consecutive titles for Ferrari from 2000 to 2004. The pursuit of this record adds another layer of intensity to the season.

If last season is anything to go by, Verstappen will face a tough challenge. At certain points in 2024, his car may have only been good enough for fourth place, relying on a strong start to the season and key podium finishes at the end to secure the championship. But Red Bull is one of the most successful teams in F1, and it's hard to believe they haven't made improvements to the car for 2025. The competition will be fierce, and every advantage will count.

Furthermore, Doohan will face immense pressure from the start. Australian driver Jack Doohan made his F1 debut in the final round of last season. After Alpine announced he would be a full-time driver in 2025, the French team decided to put him in the car early. Now, with a full pre-season preparation, the son of five-time motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan has the opportunity to establish himself in F1. But he doesn't have much time. After a strong showing in the second half of 2024, Alpine signed Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto as their reserve driver for 2025. This move adds to the pressure on Doohan to perform well.

Colapinto's performance in 2024 was widely praised. The 21-year-old driver had a few incidents during his run, but overall, his two top-10 finishes in nine starts impressed many. If Doohan doesn't perform well early in the season, his job could be at risk. The young driver will need to quickly adapt and prove his worth to the team. Colapinto's presence will keep Doohan on his toes.

Next, Piastri and Norris will be free to compete. McLaren's rise to the top of F1 in 2024 was remarkable. Lando Norris and Australian driver Oscar Piastri both secured their first Grand Prix wins and finished second and fourth in the driver's championship, respectively. Piastri was asked to sacrifice his ambitions for Norris's sake this season, as Norris was the only real challenger to Verstappen for the championship. However, there were also times when Norris cooperated with team tactics for Piastri's benefit. The team dynamic was crucial to their success.

But in 2025, these two ambitious drivers will be free to compete against each other. Piastri said, "I'm really looking forward to next year. From day one, our goal is to win races. It will definitely be a fight. There's a reason why the top teams are top teams, and they all want to come back strong in 2025. At the end of the season, I was asked to help Lando and the team. I know I would have received help if the roles were reversed. Next year, we will be free to compete against each other." This internal competition could push both drivers to new heights.

Laura Müller will become the first female race engineer in F1 history. Laura Müller will join the American Haas team in 2025, making history. Müller has been announced as the race engineer for driver Esteban Ocon, becoming the first woman to hold this position in F1 history. The race engineer plays a crucial role in any team, essentially serving as the link between the team and the driver. The race engineer talks to the driver during the race. Trust between the driver and the race engineer is essential for success. Müller's appointment is a glass-ceiling-breaking moment for a sport that has been increasingly diversifying over the past decade. Her achievement marks a significant step forward for women in motorsport.

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said, "When she sees a problem, she digs deep and doesn't stop at the first answer. Some people find the first answer and stop there. They think, 'Oh great, I found a solution, move on.' She has a good work ethic, and when she finds the first solution, she knows there are 10 more things, and now you have new questions to answer. Her determination is what impresses me the most." Her dedication and problem-solving skills are highly valued by the team.

For the first time since 2012, Mercedes will be without Hamilton. The Mercedes-Hamilton partnership was one of the greatest in F1 history. Hamilton won six of his seven world championships for the Silver Arrows, and the team won a record eight consecutive team championships from 2014 to 2021. But Hamilton has moved to Ferrari, and now George Russell will lead the team, with his new teammate being rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The team is entering a new era with fresh dynamics.

The 18-year-old Italian, more commonly known in the media as Kimi Antonelli, is a true prodigy. He won the Italian and German F4 championships, as well as a series of karting titles, and secured two race wins in his only F2 season in 2024. Antonelli has been in the Mercedes driver program since 2019 and seems to be ready for this moment. If Mercedes wants to challenge for victories often this season, it needs to make improvements, but it has a very exciting driver pairing that will be closely watched by fans. The young talent brings a new wave of excitement to the team.

As F1's popularity continues to grow, more and more countries want to participate in this global spectacle. While some tracks, including Melbourne, have multi-year agreements in place, some historic tracks are feeling the pressure. The Zandvoort circuit, which hosts the Dutch Grand Prix, will be removed from the calendar at the end of 2026. Belgium's legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit, one of F1's most famous and historic tracks, has signed a multi-year renewal agreement with F1, but on a rotating basis. This means the Belgian Grand Prix will not be held every year. The competition for hosting races is intensifying.

More and more countries and cities are vying for the opportunity to host an F1 weekend, and Africa may be the next location. Africa is currently the only continent without a race (excluding Antarctica, for obvious reasons). This situation may change in the near future, with Rwanda and South Africa both potential hosts for F1 events. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has been pushing for his country to host an F1 race for many years. He officially announced at the FIA awards ceremony held in Rwanda last year that Rwanda is seeking to host a Grand Prix weekend. South Africa is also considered another potential F1 race location. The last South African Grand Prix was held in 1993 at the Kyalami circuit near Johannesburg. Other locations in South Africa are also reportedly being considered as potential bidders. Expanding to Africa would further globalize the sport.

Finally, Cadillac is preparing to become the 11th F1 team. While nothing is finalized yet, it is very close. F1 could have 11 teams in 2026 if General Motors (GM) reaches an agreement with the administrators under the Cadillac name. F1 and GM reached an agreement in principle last November to support Cadillac joining the team in 2026. GM has already announced the formation of a new company that will build its own powertrain to strive for Cadillac to become a full factory team in 2030. If it is to be accepted in 2026, it will use a power unit and gearbox purchased from Ferrari. Either way, an announcement regarding GM/Cadillac will be made sometime this year. The addition of Cadillac would be a significant boost for the sport.