With the 2025 Formula One season set to begin, the battle for the championship looks more competitive than ever. Red Bull’s dominance has been shaken, Ferrari is resurgent, and McLaren’s rise has put them in prime position to challenge for both titles. Meanwhile, Mercedes aims to bounce back, and Aston Martin prepares for a long-term push.
McLaren
Car: MCL39 | Engine: Mercedes | Titles: 9 | Last season: 1st
After securing the 2024 constructors’ championship, McLaren has built on that success with a standout car in testing. Their strong driver lineup is key to their ambitions, but managing them effectively will be crucial.
Drivers:
- Lando Norris (25, GB): Last season’s runner-up, he took the fight to Max Verstappen but admitted to some shortcomings. Determined to improve, he now targets his first title.
- Oscar Piastri (23, Aus): Made huge strides, securing two wins last year. To challenge for the title, he must match Norris in qualifying and optimize race pace.
Ferrari
Car: SF-25 | Engine: Ferrari | Titles: 16 | Last season: 2nd
With a stable leadership and an improved car, Ferrari is poised to be a serious contender. A strong driver lineup means anything short of regular wins would be disappointing.
Drivers:
- Charles Leclerc (27, Mnc): Consistently strong last year, he faces a major challenge in his new teammate but remains confident in his ability to lead Ferrari’s title charge.
- Lewis Hamilton (40, GB): The seven-time champion is revitalized by a new challenge. The car appears to suit his style, and his determination makes him a major threat.
Red Bull
Car: RB21 | Engine: Honda RBPT | Titles: 6 | Last season: 3rd
A development misstep in 2024 proved costly, and early testing suggests some issues remain. The team will be in the mix, but no longer has a dominant advantage.
Drivers:
- Max Verstappen (27, Neth): Grounded out a fourth title in 2024 despite a mid-season dip. With tougher competition and a less dominant car, this season may be his biggest test yet.
- Liam Lawson (23, NZ): Took over from Daniel Ricciardo and has shown resilience. Supporting Verstappen while delivering strong results will be his primary task.
Mercedes
Car: W16 | Engine: Mercedes | Titles: 8 | Last season: 4th
After struggling with regulation changes, Mercedes believes they have resolved their performance inconsistencies. Testing results suggest potential, but true competitiveness remains uncertain.
Drivers:
- George Russell (27, GB): Now the team leader, he has shown he can challenge Verstappen. If the car is competitive, he will be a serious title contender.
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli (18, It): Promoted directly from junior categories, this highly-rated rookie has immense speed and instinctive driving but faces a steep learning curve.
Aston Martin
Car: AMR25 | Engine: Mercedes | Titles: 0 | Last season: 5th
With Adrian Newey arriving too late to impact the 2025 car, Aston Martin is in a holding phase while preparing for 2026’s regulatory changes.
Drivers:
- Fernando Alonso (43, Sp): Aiming to remain competitive for 2026, he must extract every bit of performance to stay relevant.
- Lance Stroll (26, Can): Needs to improve consistency and match his experienced teammate.
Other Teams
- Alpine aims to escape midfield mediocrity under new leadership, with Pierre Gasly and rookie Jack Doohan leading their charge.
- Haas continues its progress, featuring Esteban Ocon and promising young talent Oliver Bearman.
- Racing Bulls relies on Yuki Tsunoda’s experience while giving Isack Hadjar his F1 debut.
- Williams looks stronger than in recent years, adding experienced fighter Carlos Sainz alongside Alexander Albon.
- Sauber faces a tough season before transitioning into Audi in 2026, with Nico Hülkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.
With multiple teams vying for supremacy, 2025 is set to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.
