After the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, there are just 94 days left until it’s all 2025 again.
Next year has the potential to be an all-time great Formula 1 season. Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is the main attraction, but there are also at least four new drivers on the grid next year: rookies Ollie Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Yet after Max Verstappen won the drivers’ title and McLaren took the constructors’ crown, both championships look wide open for next year.
There will also be a new venue for the season opener on March 16. Unlike Bahrain, Australia will host the first race of the season for the first time since 2019.
But as the season begins in Melbourne, what will be the main points of curiosity on everyone’s minds?
How will Lewis Hamilton perform at Ferrari?
It’s the biggest.
There is so much intrigue and anticipation surrounding the seven-time F1 world champion’s move from his beloved Mercedes – after 12 years and six drivers’ titles – to the sport’s most legendary brand.
But Hamilton has had a difficult 2024. Although he managed to break his victory at Silverstone, he was trailed by George Russell in qualifying by 19-5 and in the final standings by 22 points. Finishing seventh was Hamilton’s worst result in the championship.
When the Briton takes his place in the scarlet red cockpit, he will be 40 years old. Are his powers diminishing? Or will he be a reborn and re-motivated driver, in what will likely be a very competitive Ferrari car.
His partnership with Charles Leclerc will be the common thread of the year.
Will we have a four-way title fight?
For the first time in F1 history, seven drivers have won multiple races in 2024. This perfectly sets up the title race in 2025.
McLaren appears to be the favorite, closely followed by Ferrari. But will they be impacted by their competitive driver duos, potentially dropping points?
You can never count on Max Verstappen, because he does it five times in a row in his Red Bull. And what about Mercedes team boss George Russell?
In the last year of this regulatory phase, the field has narrowed. The unpredictability should make for some fascinating wheel-to-wheel battles on the track.
What can Carlos Sainz achieve at Williams?
The unfortunate excluded. Sainz had a great season, but due to the arrival of Hamilton and the strange avoidance of Mercedes and Red Bull, he ended up at Williams.
Once a great F1 team, James Vowles’ ambitious project is a long-term one, with an eye on the next round of regulations in 2026. This year they finished second and had 17 costly road breaks.
So what does this mean for Sainz – and his speedy teammate Alex Albon – in 2025? Top 10 finishes will be the aim, but it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard can lead Williams above Aston Martin, Alpine and Haas.
For a man who has won two races this year, it will be a difficult task to reset his expectations ahead of the Grand Prix weekends.
Which recruit will impress the most?
After the start of 2024 without new drivers, 2025 completely shakes up the peloton.
Enter Antonelli, an 18-year-old Italian hotsot at Mercedes. British teenager Bearman joins forces with Haas. Doohan joins Alpine and F2 winner Bortoleto is at the center of Sauber (soon to be Audi) and its long-term vision.
We could also have another recruit. Franco Colapinto appears to have been overlooked, but Isack Hadjar could be promoted to RB.
Who will perform best? Who will be able to handle the “dog eat dog” world of Formula 1? This will be an intriguing watch.
Who will Cadillac sign?
While the FIA must ratify the entry, Cadillac, owned by General Motors, is expected to join F1 in 2026 as 11th team.
So the question next year is… what will their crew be?
Team principal Graeme Lowdon – formerly of Marussia – is in charge of the decision. Oddly enough, he runs Zhou Guanyu, who has just been dropped by Sauber. Could Zhou be given a return route?
Valtteri Bottas will be keeping a close eye on Cadillac’s plans, as will Colapinto, and could the new team even offer a third bite of the cherry on the cake to Daniel Ricciardo?
There have also been strong rumors that an American driver will be targeted and, if that is the case, IndyCar star Colton Herta appears to be the favorite.
