The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to commence with the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit from March 14-16. This season opener brings significant team changes, high expectations, and unpredictable weather conditions that could impact the race outcome.

Track Information

The Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia, has undergone several modifications to enhance safety and competitiveness for the 2025 Formula 1 season opener. Following significant incidents in the previous year, particularly George Russell’s severe crash, officials have implemented changes to Turns 6 and 7. Adjustments include repositioning and re-angling barriers to prevent cars from rebounding onto the track, flattening sections of kerb to reduce instability, and extending gravel traps closer to the kerb. ​

These updates aim to improve driver safety and racing dynamics, offering more overtaking opportunities and a smoother racing experience.​

The 2025 Australian Grand Prix promises thrilling battles as teams and drivers vie for early dominance in the championship race.

McLaren: Championship Favorites or Pre-Season Hype?

McLaren enters the 2025 season as the reigning Constructors’ Champion, with their MCL39 car building upon the success of its predecessor, the MCL38. The team has adopted a “brave risk” approach to car design, focusing on aggressive and fundamental changes to maintain their competitive edge.

Reigning Constructors Champion (Credits: @BBC Sport)

Lando Norris, who finished second in the 2024 Drivers’ standings, is widely regarded as a strong contender for the championship this year. His consistent performances and ability to extract maximum performance from the car have positioned him as a favorite among pundits. ​Oscar Piastri, entering his second full season with McLaren, aims to secure his first Formula 1 victory at his home Grand Prix. Piastri’s impressive rookie season, coupled with his familiarity with the Albert Park Circuit, makes him a formidable competitor this weekend. ​

Team Principal Andrea Stella expressed confidence in the harmonious relationship between Norris and Piastri, emphasizing that their collaboration is crucial for defending the championship. He stated,

“The strong working relationship between Lando and Oscar is key to our success. Both are capable of winning, but we won’t interfere with their battle unless necessary.”

Ferrari: Hamilton’s Debut Sparks Hope for a Championship

Ferrari made headlines with the signing of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who joins Charles Leclerc to form one of the most experienced driver line-ups on the grid. ​

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari signifies a new chapter in his illustrious career. He humorously marked his debut by recreating a scene from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” reflecting his excitement about joining the Scuderia. Hamilton stated,

“This is a fresh challenge for me. I want to bring success back to Ferrari and push for that eighth title.”

Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019, welcomes the opportunity to learn from Hamilton’s vast experience. He acknowledged, “Having Lewis as a teammate will push me even harder. We both want the same thing—championships for Ferrari.”​

The SF-25 has undergone significant development to address the tire degradation issues that hampered their previous campaigns. With a more stable car and a strong driver pairing, Ferrari aims to challenge for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships this season.

Red Bull Racing: Verstappen’s Quest for a Fifth Title Amidst Team Changes

Red Bull faces challenges due to key personnel changes, but Max Verstappen remains a formidable force, targeting his fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship. New teammate Liam Lawson steps up, aiming to support Verstappen effectively.​

Liam Lawson, stepping up from the junior categories, joins Verstappen as his new teammate. Lawson faces a steep learning curve but has shown potential in pre-season testing. His integration into the team will be crucial for Red Bull’s strategy and development throughout the season.

Verstappen acknowledged the competition, stating,

“At the moment, we’re not the quickest, but it’s a long season, and we’ll keep pushing to improve.”

Mercedes: Russell Leads Charge with Rookie Antonelli

Mercedes looks to rebound from recent struggles with George Russell leading the charge. Joining Russell is rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a highly-rated talent making his Formula 1 debut. Antonelli’s performance will be closely watched as he adapts to the demands of the sport. The W16 has shown promise in testing, but its competitiveness relative to rivals remains to be seen.

(Credits: @/www.mercedesamgf1.com/)

Russell expressed optimism, saying, “We’ve made significant progress over the winter, and I’m confident we’ll be competitive from the start.” Antonelli shared his excitement, stating,

“Joining Mercedes is a dream come true; I’m ready to learn and contribute to the team’s success.”

Williams Racing: A New Era with Sainz and Albon Leading the Charge

Williams Racing enters the 2025 season with renewed ambition, blending experience and fresh innovation to climb up the grid. The team’s biggest signing, Carlos Sainz Jr., brings race-winning pedigree after departing Ferrari, joining Alex Albon in what could be Williams’ most competitive driver pairing in years.

Carlos Sainz And Alex Albon (Credits: Formula1.com)

Pre-season testing saw Sainz top the timesheets in Bahrain, a surprising but promising sign for the team. However, the Spaniard was quick to manage expectations, stating, “I’m sure you’re not going to see me on the podium or in the top five this year, so don’t get too motivated.” He did, however, express confidence in the team’s progress, adding, “We’re in a much better place than expected, and that’s exciting.”

Meanwhile, Williams has secured a major partnership with Australian tech giant Atlassian, bringing cutting-edge AI-driven development to its operations. This collaboration aims to streamline car performance analysis and improve in-season upgrades, a crucial factor in staying competitive against midfield rivals.

Team Principal James Vowles has emphasized the long-term vision, stating that

“Williams is no longer here just to participate—we are here to fight.”

With an improved FW47 chassis, a strong driver lineup, and a revamped development strategy, Williams could be the dark horse of the 2025 season.

Aston Martin: The Green Revolution Begins with Newey at the Helm

Aston Martin enters 2025 aiming to reclaim the form that saw them emerge as podium Aston Martin is gearing up for a transformative season, bolstered by the arrival of Adrian Newey as Managing Technical Partner. The legendary engineer, who shaped multiple championship-winning cars, joins at a crucial time as the team prepares for its 2026 works partnership with Honda. Newey is already influencing the team’s long-term vision, stating,

“The opportunity to shape Aston Martin’s technical journey is both a challenge and a privilege. I look forward to contributing to the team’s pursuit of excellence.”

Adrian Newey to Aston Martin (credits: Astonmartinf1.com)

Fernando Alonso, at 43, remains one of the sharpest drivers on the grid, determined to fight for podiums despite Aston Martin’s current limitations. Lance Stroll, on the other hand, faces a critical season, needing to prove himself as a valuable asset rather than a driver benefiting from his father’s ownership. With Newey’s technical expertise, Alonso’s relentless drive, and a revamped AMR25, the team aims to stabilize in the midfield before making a serious leap forward in 2026.

While wins may not be immediate, Aston Martin is no longer just another team on the grid—it’s building towards something bigger. If Newey’s past success is any indicator, the green machine could soon be a title contender in the making.

Haas: A Risky Bet on Youth and Aggression

Haas enters the 2025 season with an entirely new driver lineup, rolling the dice on experience versus youth by pairing Esteban Ocon with rookie Oliver Bearman. The decision to part ways with Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg signals a fresh start for the American outfit, but will it pay off?

Ocon, known for his aggressive race-craft and internal team battles, joins Haas after a turbulent spell at Alpine. His history of fiery teammate rivalries (with Alonso, Gasly, and Perez) has some questioning how well he will gel with Bearman, a highly-rated Ferrari junior.

Bearman, at just 19 years old, faces immense pressure to prove himself. The Briton was called up as a substitute in 2024 and impressed instantly, but now he has a full-time seat to justify. He remains confident, stating, “I know what I’m capable of, and I’m here to show it.”

Haas’ VF-25 is reportedly an improvement over last year, but midfield competition is fiercer than ever. With a rookie adapting to F1 and a teammate known for intra-team drama, Haas could either thrive or implode—and both scenarios would make for spectacular entertainment.

Sauber: Bridging the Gap Before the Audi Revolution

Sauber is entering its final season before transitioning into Audi’s works team in 2026, making 2025 a pivotal year for laying the groundwork. With long-term goals in mind, Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have been tasked with steering the team through this transition period.

Team kick Sauber (Credits: Formula1.com)

Hulkenberg’s return to Sauber (where he last raced in 2013) brings a veteran presence and much-needed technical feedback for development. The German is realistic about expectations, stating, “We’re in a building phase, but that doesn’t mean we won’t push for every single point.”

Bortoleto, a rookie straight from Formula 2, is a bold yet calculated risk for Sauber. The 19-year-old Brazilian will need time to adjust, but with Audi’s future in mind, the team is investing in young talent early.

The C45 may not be a frontrunner, but Sauber’s focus is on development rather than results. Any success this season will be viewed as a steppingstone toward Audi’s entry in 2026, when they plan to shake up the pecking order.

Alpine: Doohan’s Big Break and a High-Stakes Final Renault Season

Alpine enters 2025 with a mix of stability and uncertainty, retaining Pierre Gasly while promoting Jack Doohan to a full-time race seat. Doohan, stepping into his first full F1 season, faces immense pressure not just to perform but to secure his long-term place in the team, with Franco Colapinto waiting in the wings as a potential mid-season replacement. The internal battle between these two adds tension to an already crucial year for Alpine.

Beyond driver dynamics, 2025 marks Alpine’s final season with Renault power, as they transition to Mercedes engines in 2026. This decision aims to improve reliability and performance, but until then, the team must maximize its current package to stay in the midfield fight. Can Alpine remain competitive, or will this be a transition year filled with struggles?

Racing Bulls: New Name, New Identity, and a Future Star in Hadjar?

The team formerly known as RB has officially rebranded as Racing Bulls, entering a new phase of its Red Bull sister-team identity. With a bold new white livery and a clear mission to be more than just a junior development squad, the team has retained Yuki Tsunoda while bringing in rookie Isack Hadjar as a fresh face for 2025.

New Livery of Visa Cash app RB (Credits: visacashapprb.com)

Hadjar, a rising star from Formula 2, replaces Liam Lawson, who has moved up to Red Bull Racing. While Hadjar’s talent is undeniable, his ability to adapt quickly to F1 will define Racing Bulls’ season. Meanwhile, Tsunoda faces a defining year, needing to prove he belongs in F1 long-term, or risk being overlooked for future Red Bull promotions.

With Honda power and a Red Bull-aligned chassis, Racing Bulls could be a dark horse in the midfield—but will they deliver consistent results, or will the rebrand be more style than substance?

Weather Conditions

The Australian Grand Prix weekend is expected to feature variable weather conditions:​

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• Friday (Practice Sessions): Sunny and fair with temperatures reaching up to 28°C. Chance of rain is minimal.​
• Saturday (Qualifying): Clear skies with high temperatures, potentially reaching 37°C. Chance of rain remains low.​
• Sunday (Race Day): A significant chance of rain, with forecasts indicating up to an 80% likelihood of showers during the race. Temperatures are expected to be cooler, around 23°C. ​

Teams and drivers will need to adapt their strategies accordingly to navigate the changing conditions throughout the weekend.

Schedule

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The Australian GP returns as the season opener of Formula 1 for the first time since 2019. The 2025 Formula 1 season will kick off in Melbourne, with the Australian Grand Prix set to host the 75th season opener. However, as the grid prepares for the first race of the year, the spotlight is on Red Bull and their early-season struggles. The weather forecast hints at rain on race day, which could shake up the pecking order and play into Verstappen’s hands.

Red Bull struggles

On the first two days of pre-season testing, Red Bull were very happy after the initial runs with their 2025 title contender, the RB21. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has stated that “The car is more predictable and reacts to the changes in the normal way. So, all the problems we had last year, I believe they are much better, or maybe they are also sorted.” However, Day 3 of the test was not a smooth sailing as Red Bull has hoped. The brought a new upgraded front wing and a new floor design for the final day, although the front nose worked up to the expectation but the new floor design brought back some of the issues from RB20.

Verstappen: ‘Red Bull can’t fight for win in Melbourne”

Max Verstappen has ruled out Red Bull out of contention for a victory at season opener in Melbourne. The reigning four-time world champion did not display any optimism during the final moment of pre-season testing, opening up to the media about his worries.

“I don’t think we can fight for the win already in Melbourne” – Max Verstappen said.

The dutchman, just like others in the F1 paddock has designated McLaren as the favorite going into 2025. “At the moment only one, and that team is orange! That’s a very nice colour of course, but from our side, we still have work to do.”

The Verstappen + Rain factor in Australian GP

We are still in the early stages of the race week and the weather forecast predicts rain on Sunday. Max Verstappen is know for his stellar performance in the rain, most notably his performance in the 2016 and 2024 São Paulo GP. The Meteology department of Australia reports a 70% chance of rain on Sunday. A wet Australian GP should make it a equal playing field for all the teams which could in return benefit Max Verstappen.

Follow Desi Racing Co. for more motorsport related content: Desi Racing Co is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

Formula 1 returns after a winter break lasting almost 100 days. The much-awaited season marks the 75th anniversary of the sport. After slight glimpses of the cars from the livery reveal at the O2 Arena during the one-of-a-kind F1 75 Live event and the 3-day long preseason testing, the fans are ready to experience the roar and thrill of all 20 cars finally racing on the track.

From driver changes to new faces, this season has a lot to offer. With the Australian GP – the season opener – right around the corner, let’s take a look at everything to keep an eye out for this milestone of a season in this F1 2025 Season Preview.

END OF GROUND EFFECT REGULATIONS

The F1 2025 season marks the final year of the current regulations which were introduced in 2022. The 3 years of the ground effect era have seen Red Bull dominance with Max Verstappen clenching the World Drivers Championship each year.

As we reach the final season for the ground effect cars, the teams face a grave decision of choosing between investing in the current season or shifting focus towards developing the 2026 car. For instance, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber would certainly like to improve upon their 2024 season where they finished last garnering only 4 points, however, they might also fully invest in their next year’s car as they get ready to transition into Audi. Either way, the end of regulations always provides some great racing as the cars reach their maximum potential.

Even though the major regulation changes lie ahead for the 2026 season, the FIA has introduced some rule changes for this year as well. The major ones include:

• Removal of Fastest Lap Point: Since 2019, the drivers finishing inside the top 10 could grab the fastest lap of the race for an extra point. This has been dropped for the 2025 season.
• Driver Cooling Systems: In case a weather forecast predicts 31⁰C or above during either a Sprint or Grand Prix, the teams will be required to fit a driver cooling system in the cars, to accommodate this, the weight limit of the cars will be increased for the session.
• FP1 Rookies: The teams must run an inexperienced rookie twice per car, i.e. 4 times, in an FP1 session, across the season, against the 2 times in previous seasons.

DRIVER CHANGES

Lewis Hamilton

One of the greatest drivers joins forces with one of the greatest teams in Formula 1. The 7-time world champion breaks his 12-year partnership with Mercedes to drive for the iconic team from Maranello. As he moves on from the most successful driver-constructor pairing in F1 history to the most successful F1 team, we’ll witness the Briton drive a non-Mercedes powered car for the first time ever in his career of 18 years.

Carlos Sainz Jr

The 4-time race winner leaves his seat at Ferrari being replaced by Hamilton. Sainz partners Alex Albon at Williams for the 2025 season. The Spaniard with lots to offer, motivated to show his worth must perform incredibly to secure a seat in a top team in the upcoming seasons. Also taking over the role of director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, his time at Williams will surely be one of the most important stints of his career.

Esteban Ocon

Son of a mechanic, the boy from Normandy, is set to partner rookie Oliver Bearman at Haas in 2025. Ocon finished 14th in the 2024 Driver Standings, which was his worst performance in a full season ever. 19 points behind his teammate Pierre Gasly, Esteban struggled in his final season at Alpine. At Haas, he seeks a new beginning. Under team principal Ayao Komatsu, Haas looks forward to an uphill climb in performance and with the French driver bringing his experience to the table, 2025 looks promising.

Nico Hulkenberg

Making way for Ocon and Bearman, Haas dropped both their 2024 drivers, Magnussen and Hulkenberg, for the 2025 season, with the latter joining Sauber. This is his second time racing for Sauber, the last time being over a decade ago in 2013, where he finished 10th in the Driver Standings. The German driver is infamously known for having the most race starts without securing a podium. Although unlikely to happen this year, he hopes to break the curse when Sauber officially transitions to Audi next year.

STORYLINES TO FOLLOW

Mclaren the team to beat

The British team that clenched the Constructors’ Title in 2024 after a 26-year drought are certainly the one to beat this year as well. The defending champions look extremely strong with their young but talented line-up of Lando Norris, last year’s WDC title contender and Oscar Piastri, the up-and-coming Aussie star.

With Adrian Newey’s departure and their gradual decline in car performance, RedBull doesn’t look to be at their highest, considering they are the ones that dominated the current ground effect era of the sport. But Mclaren doesn’t have it easy, as Ferrari and Mercedes continue to develop their cars with the intent of closing the current regulations with a title in their hands. Whichever way it goes, 2025 is going to be one of the closest battles for constructors’ title we have seen in a while.

8th for Lewis or 1st for Charles

Ferrari does seem to be the favourites for the 2025 season with their all-star pairing of golden boy Charles Leclerc and 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. The 40 year old Briton has chased the dream of collecting the most championships for a long time. As he currently sits level with the legendary Michael Schumacher for the number of championships won, winning his 8th would make him the first to achieve that milestone in f1 history.

But the Monegasque he is paired with cannot be disregarded. If provided with a championship winning car, Leclerc is more than capable of getting the best results with his consistency. This teammate battle would be a treat to the viewers as they fight for their own personal milestones.

New Era New Faces

Coming from a season that started with no rookies at all, we enter 2025 with 6 new faces, 3 of which have never raced in F1 before.

We have seen Oliver Bearman with his overachieving debut with Ferrari at Jeddah 2024, a points finish at Baku and a great recovery drive at Sao Paulo, the latter 2 with Haas. He’ll be partnering race winner Esteban Ocon at Haas this season.

A shocking swap promoted Liam Lawson from the sister team VCARB, placing him next to reigning world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull for the 2025 season. Will the Kiwi succumb to the Red Bull second driver curse, underperforming to the 4-time champion, or can he show the world his talent and keep Max on his toes.

Jack Doohan, the man from down under, joins Alpine teaming up with Pierre Gasly. Although he won’t have the pleasure of debuting at his home race this season as he had stepped up, replacing the leaving Esteban Ocon, for the final race of the 2024 season at Abu Dhabi finishing p15. Rumors have it he is under pressure to perform extraordinarily starting this year as his seat is under jeopardy with Alpine’s signing of young talent Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver this season, who is already eyeing a permanent F1 seat.

Coming to the ones we haven’t seen race in F1 yet. Both the 2024 F2 championship contenders have moved up to the pinnacle of motorsport this year. F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto joins Sauber while his rival who finished second, Isack Hadjar secured a seat at VCARB (Racing Bulls). While at the mere age of 18, Mercedes star-kid Andrea Kimi Antonelli, replaces Hamilton to be seated next to George Russell for the 2025 season. None of them have ever driven in a Formula 1 session before, with the exception of Antonelli who made his free practice debut at Monza last year.

All of these young new faces have the talent to perform beautifully and it would be a delight watching them flourish and grow in their respective teams.

Just a few days till ‘Lights Out’ in Australia, and our excitement cannot be contained. The teams pushing their designs to the absolute limits. Both the championships up for grabs and all the top teams fighting for it, wanting to close this chapter with a bang. Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Hamilton and Russell all challenging Verstappen for the Drivers’ Championship. Great midfield battles as the cars get the closest to each other in performance, in a long time. All of this action, ready to unveil at the Australian Grand Prix kicking off the 75th season of the pinnacle of motorsport. F1 IS SO BACK!

Follow Desi Racing Co. for more motorsport related content: Desi Racing Co is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.