The 2025 Formula 1 season is underway after a chaotic and action-packed Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16. Rainy conditions on Sunday led to multiple crashes and safety cars as six drivers did not finish. Despite the numerous incidents, McLaren driver Lando Norris won the race from pole position, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and Mercedes driver George Russell finished second and third, respectively.
Although this was just the first race of the season, the chaos and surprising results for some drivers indicate an unpredictable and exciting season for F1 fans. Heading into the new season, there are plenty of changes to unpack on and off the grid.
Out of the 10 teams, only McLaren and Aston Martin kept their driver lineup unchanged. Six drivers will also have their first full-time seat in F1. The entrance of these rookies will make races more interesting as fans cheer for new drivers and elements of uncertainty.
One of the most shocking driver changes in F1 history was seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes after 11 years to join Ferrari. Since joining Mercedes in 2013, Hamilton has won six of his seven titles and left irreplicable records for the Silver Arrows. While it might be unusual for fans to see him in red, Hamilton will make Ferrari a more potent competitor in the 2025 constructors’ championship alongside fellow Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
Consequently, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari caused the departure of Spanish driver Carlos Sainz. Sainz raced for Ferrari for four seasons and will now drive for Williams along with Alex Albon. Additionally, former Formula 2 driver Kimi Antonelli will replace Hamilton as Russell’s teammate at Mercedes.
Jack Doohan, who replaced Esteban Ocon in the last F1 race of the 2024 season, will have a full-time seat at Alpine. After Ocon departed Alpine, Haas scooped the driver up to pair with rookie Oliver Bearman. Bearman got to race for Ferrari and Haas in 2024 as a reserve driver and finally earned his full-time seat on the grid this year.
Lastly, Nico Hulkenberg, a former Haas driver, will race for Kick Sauber alongside Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto. Isack Hadjar will race with Yuki Tsunoda on the Racing Bulls (RB) team. Both Bortoleto and Hadjar will race in F1 for the first time this season.
In addition to the numerous driver changes, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) implemented some regulation changes for this new season. The most significant was the removal of the fastest lap point, a rule in place since 2019 that allowed a driver who finished in the top 10 while setting the fastest lap in a race to earn an extra point in championship standings. In recent seasons, drivers outside the top 10 would pit near the end of the race to get fresh tires and set the fastest lap themselves, strategically preventing other drivers from scoring the extra point, even if they could not score themselves. This strategy sparked controversy among fans and media, causing the FIA to remove the reward.
Additionally, the FIA introduced a rule requiring teams to add driver cooling systems to cars if the forecasted temperature rises above 88 degrees Fahrenheit, which adds additional weight to the cars, slowing them down. Furthermore, the FIA tightened the regulations on the drag reduction system, rear wing flexibility and drivers’ ability to test previous cars. With both driver and rule changes going into the new season, the drivers’ and constructors’ championship standings may look very different this year.
Last season, Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship title, narrowly defeating Norris by 63 points. However, in the constructors’ championship, McLaren snatched the title from Red Bull as Sergio Perez struggled to score points for the team as the season progressed. Whether replacing Perez with former RB driver Liam Lawson will keep Red Bull in constructors’ contention this season remains to be seen.
Verstappen’s drivers’ championship streak could end as Norris and fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri have a legitimate chance to earn the title. The rest of the drivers’ standings will likely be even more unpredictable as F1’s six rookies might face pressure from other drivers, media and fans.
The constructors’ championship will likely be more competitive than last season. McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes will all be in the mix to take home first place. Meanwhile, Aston Martin, Williams and RB could compete to be in the top five and the lower end of the leaderboard will likely consist of Alpine, Haas and Kick Sauber.
The Australian Grand Prix was a thrilling way to start the 2025 F1 season for the many fans eager to have F1 back after the long winter break. The excitement will continue with the Chinese Grand Prix, the first sprint race of the season, in Shanghai on March 21-23.
