After the in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, it’s now solely 94 days till we do all of it once more in 2025.
Subsequent yr has the potential to be an all-time nice Components 1 season. ’s is the primary attraction, however there are additionally no less than 4 new drivers subsequent yr – rookies Ollie Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan and Gabriel Bortoleto.
But after gained the drivers’ title and McLaren claimed the constructors’ crown, each championships look vast open for subsequent yr.
There will likely be a brand new venue for the season-opener on 16 March as properly. Versus Bahrain, will for the primary time since 2019.
However come the primary lights out of the season in Melbourne, what would be the most important matters of curiosity on everybody’s thoughts?
How will Lewis Hamilton fare at Ferrari?
That is the large one.
There may be a lot intrigue and anticipation across the seven-time world champion shifting from his beloved Mercedes – – to the game’s most fabled marque.
However Hamilton has endured a tough 2024. Whereas he did break his win-duck in Silverstone, he was outperformed by George Russell in qualifying by 19-5 and within the closing standings by 22 factors. In ending seventh, it marks Hamilton’s worst-ever championship end.
By the point the Brit takes to the scarlet crimson cockpit, he will likely be 40. Are his powers waning? Or will he be a driver reborn and remotivated, in what’s more likely to be a really aggressive automobile.
His partnership with Charles Leclerc would be the yr’s predominant storyline.
Will we have now a four-way title combat?
For the primary time in F1 historical past, seven drivers gained a number of races in 2024. It units it up completely for a 2025 title race.
McLaren look to be the favourites, with Ferrari shut behind. However will they be impacted by their aggressive driver pairings, probably taking factors off each other?
You may by no means depend out Max Verstappen, as he goes for 5 in a row in his Pink Bull. And what about George Russell, workforce chief at Mercedes?
Within the closing yr of this section of rules, the sphere has narrowed. The unpredictability ought to make for some fascinating wheel-to-wheel fight on-track.
What can Carlos Sainz obtain at Williams?
The unlucky . Sainz had a superb season however because of Hamilton’s arrival and the weird shunning by each Mercedes and Pink Bull, he has ended up at Williams.
A once-great F1 outfit, James Vowles’ formidable mission is a long-term one, with a watch on the following set of rules in 2026. This yr, they completed second-bottom and skilled 17 pricey rashes.
So, what does this imply for Sainz – and speedy teammate Alex Albon – in 2025? High-10 finishes would be the goal nevertheless it stays to be seen if the Spaniard can lead Williams above the likes of Aston Martin, Alpine and Haas.
For a person who gained two races this yr, it will likely be a troublesome rewiring of his expectations heading into grand prix weekends.
Which rookie will impress probably the most?
After a begin to 2024 with no new drivers, 2025 shakes up the pack utterly.
In comes 18-year-old Italian hotsot Antonelli at Mercedes. British teenager Bearman hyperlinks up with Haas. Doohan joins Alpine and F2 winner Bortoleto is the main target of Sauber (soon-to-be Audi) and their long-term imaginative and prescient.
We may have one other rookie, too. Franco Colapinto appears to have been missed, however Isack Hadjar could possibly be promoted to RB.
Who will carry out greatest? Who will be capable to cope with the ‘canine eat canine’ world of Components One? It’s going to be an intriguing watch.
Who will Cadillac signal?
Whereas the FIA have to ratify the entry, Basic Motors-owned Cadillac look set to affix F1 in 2026 as an eleventh workforce.
So the query subsequent yr is… what’s going to their driver line-up be?
Crew principal Graeme Lowdon – previously of Marussia – is tasked with that call. Intriguingly, he manages Zhou Guanyu, who has simply been dropped by Sauber. May Zhou be handed a route again in?
Valtteri Bottas will likely be maintaining a detailed eye on Cadillac’s plans, as will Colapinto, and will the brand new workforce even hand a 3rd chunk on the cherry to Daniel Ricciardo?
There have additionally been robust rumours that an American driver will likely be focused and, if that’s the case, IndyCar star Colton Herta seems the favorite.
