Formula 1 is back!

After months of waiting, the new Formula 1 season is about to begin with a first stage in Melbourne, Australia. Who will dominate this 2025 season?

Finally some suspense for the pilots?

Since the explosive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021, Max Verstappen has left no room for other drivers by dominating the tracks behind the wheel of his Red Bull car. The Dutchman has won four consecutive titles and nobody seemed to be able to knock him from the top spot.

However, in the second half of last season, Lando Norris made Super Max waver by taking several victories and dominating the standings on numerous occasions. Unfortunately for the Englishman, his lack of aggression, coupled with McLaren's lack of recent experience, who haven't had a competitive car in several years, have failed him.

In addition to the Dutchman, the danger could well come from his own stable. Oscar Piastri has been showing an impressive progression curve. Even though he was still a rookie in 2023, the Australian has already managed to claim victory twice in Baku and Hungary in his second season in 2024 and could have won more had he not played the role of the perfect teammate for Norris. One thing is for sure, he doesn't lack the champion mentality and he might stop being so polite to his teammate if he is faster.

We might almost forget about the Ferrari duo who pose a constant threat. Charles Leclerc narrowly missed out on the 2022 title due to the unreliability of his Formula 1 car and too many individual errors. Alongside him, it's impossible to forget one of the greatest of all time: Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion is still seeking his 8th title and a new era among the tifosi could well be what he needs to dominate the tracks once again.

There are plenty of rookies to look out for this season, with Liam Lawson as Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull, who already did a strong run in the Visa Cash App RB last season, Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, Gabriel Bortoleto, F2 champion who will line up alongside Hulkenberg in the Kick Sauber, Oliver Bearman at Haas and Isack Hadjar at Visa Cash App RB.

McLaren rise above them all?

In the constructors' championship, last season saw the hierarchy shaken up. While Red Bull has been king since 2021, another stable has made a dizzying rise to finally sweep the board in 2024. McLaren, which was announced as one of the worst cars in 2023, was the subject of ultra-efficient and ultra-aggressive development until it reached its peak in the second half of last season, completely dominating the tracks. Based on pre-season testing, it appears that the Woking stable has once again produced a title-ready car.

Finally, Ferrari showed last season that its big comeback was not far off, also passing Red Bull to become runner-up. The Italians make no secret of it: with the arrival of Lewis Hamilton and all the experience that comes with him, the objective is clearly the final victory.

Also watch out for Mercedes; the departure of their star driver could mean a second wind... or a catastrophe.