5 things to be excited about as F1 gears up for the 2025 season

F1 might be on its winter break following an action-packed 2024, but excitement is already building over the campaign we’ve got ahead of us. From the arrival of several rookies, through to a spectacular launch event – and not to mention the beginning of a new era for a certain seven-time world champion – we’ve picked out five of the key things to look forward to in the 2025 season…

1. The fight at the front gets closer

When the 2024 season got under way, Max Verstappen and Red Bull looked to be in commanding form off the back of their dominance in the prior campaign. But as the year progressed, it became evidently clear that their rivals would pose an increasingly close challenge.

And challenge they did, with seven different drivers taking victories during the season while the fight for the constructors’ title went right down to the wire in Abu Dhabi, a duel that saw McLaren just beat Ferrari by 14 points.

All of which sets us up for a tantalisingly close battle at the front in 2025. After claiming their first constructors’ championship since 1998, McLaren will be keen to not only continue this form but learn from their mistakes last season to become even stronger this time around.

How the epic 2024 season unfolded

Lando Norris also enters the season with an increased level of confidence after becoming Verstappen’s closest rival for the drivers’ title in 2024, with the Briton now sure that he has “what it takes” to fight at the front.

Ferrari, meanwhile, enjoyed one of their strongest seasons for some time last year and will also be looking to build on this in 2025, a campaign in which they will welcome a very notable new signing (more on which later…).

Elsewhere, Verstappen arrives into the season as a four-time world champion and Red Bull will undoubtedly be keen to bounce back after going from first to third in the 2024 constructors’ championship. Factor in the additional challenge posed by Mercedes – as well as an incredibly tight midfield behind them – and it looks like we’re in for a true multi-team battle.

2. Hamilton and Ferrari finally partner up

Perhaps hard to believe, but it is nearly 12 months since the seismic news broke that Lewis Hamilton would be joining Ferrari in 2025, a move that had long been speculated about but had never seemed truly close to fruition – until it actually happened.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 08: Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari and Lewis — Hamilton will partner with Leclerc at Ferrari in 2025, marking a new era for the seven-time world champion

Hamilton’s exit from Mercedes – a team he joined back in 2013 – brings to a close the longest and most successful partnership in the sport’s history. As such, the prospect of seeing how the seven-time world champion adapts to the Scuderia looks set to be a fascinating one.

The past three seasons have proven challenging for Hamilton, with the Silver Arrows struggling to replicate their days of dominance. But after returning to the top step in emotional style in 2024 – having gone without a victory for 945 days – the Briton will surely be determined to add to his extensive winning tally as he joins a Ferrari team that is on the up.

END OF YEAR REPORT: Ferrari – A ‘huge step forward’ in a successful season, but can they improve further in 2025?

Another intriguing aspect of the move will be the relationship between Hamilton and new team mate Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque has spoken of the motivation that Hamilton’s arrival can bring to the Scuderia – including for himself, having stated that he will need to be at his “top level” as he goes up against one of F1’s most decorated drivers.

While Hamilton’s headline switch to Ferrari will certainly be one of the key talking points in 2025, there are also several other changes across the grid to keep an eye on. Carlos Sainz – the man who made way for Hamilton – makes the switch to Williams, where he will drive alongside Alex Albon.

Liam Lawson, meanwhile, steps up from RB to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull, having replaced Sergio Perez following a tough season for the Mexican. And elsewhere, Esteban Ocon moves from Alpine to Haas, while Nico Hulkenberg joins Kick Sauber ahead of their transition to being Audi’s works outfit in 2026.

Lewis Hamilton signs for Ferrari in 2025

3. A new batch of rookies arrive

Speaking of driver changes, the 2025 season will see a host of new faces make their full-time debuts in Formula 1. At Haas, Ollie Bearman returns to the grid following three super-sub appearances in 2024, the first of which was especially memorable after the teenager scored points following a last-minute call-up to replace an unwell Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Saudi Arabia.

Bearman will be joined on the grid by his former F2 team mate Kimi Antonelli, with the Italian filling Lewis Hamilton’s vacant seat at Mercedes. The 18-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise through the motorsport ranks – having bypassed F3 to go straight to Formula 2 – but will now embark on his biggest step yet.

Over at Alpine, Jack Doohan will replace Esteban Ocon as Pierre Gasly’s new team mate. The Australian was given an earlier than expected debut at the 2024 finale in Abu Dhabi following Ocon’s departure, but will kick off his first full season in front of his home crowd when the 2025 campaign begins on March 14-16.

Also making the step up this year will be the two main championship contenders from the 2024 Formula 2 season. Title winner Gabriel Bortoleto is set to race for Kick Sauber, the Brazilian partnering with the veteran Nico Hulkenberg, while runner-up Isack Hadjar fills Liam Lawson’s spot at RB.

With this new batch of rookies making up one quarter of the grid, it will certainly be interesting to see how each of them fares at their respective teams.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 04: Oliver Bearman of Great Britain and PREMA Racing (3) and Andrea — Former F2 team mates Bearman and Antonelli are amongst the rookies joining the F1 grid in 2025

4. A special launch event as F1 marks its 75th anniversary

Before all of the on-track action begins – with pre-season testing taking place in Sakhir from February 26-28 – the 2025 campaign will launch in unprecedented style with a special event held at London’s The O2.

For the first time in the sport’s history, all 10 teams and their 20 drivers, along with their respective Team Principals, will come together to unveil their 2025 liveries as part of a spectacular night to mark Formula 1’s 75th anniversary year.

EXPLAINED: Everything you need to know about the 2025 season launch event at London’s The O2

The two-hour show – which will also feature top entertainment and special guest presenters – kicks off at 2000 GMT on February 18 at The O2 and will be streamed live, with further details to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Creative visionary Brian Burke of BrianBurkeCreative – who delivered the opening and closing ceremonies for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix – will bring the interactive event to life alongside Stufish Entertainment Architects, DX7 Design and production company 1826.

All in all, it looks set to mark a special beginning to F1’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

F1 season launch event - 18 February 2024 (press image).png — A groundbreaking season launch event will take place at London's The O2 to kick off the 2025 campaign

5. The F1 movie hits screens

And if you’re looking for even more entertainment on top of all of that, the F1 movie will arrive this summer. The film – directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Brad Pitt and Lewis Hamilton – is set to be distributed in theatres and in IMAX by Warner Bros. Pictures internationally on June 25, 2025, and in North America on June 27, 2025.

The movie stars Pitt as former F1 driver Sonny Hayes, who returns to the sport to partner rookie team mate Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, at the fictional APXGP team.

Filming has taken place at real F1 events, and Formula 1 and Apple Original Films released the first teaser during last year’s British Grand Prix weekend, giving a glimpse of the action to come. Check it out in the video player below.

Alongside this, Netflix’s popular Drive To Survive series returns, offering a behind-the-scenes look into the 2024 campaign before the next one begins.

Elsewhere, depending on where you are in the world, an F1 TV subscription will unlock thousands of hours of exclusive shows, highlights and race replays alongside live F1, F2 and F3 coverage.

And as if all of that wasn’t enough, there'll be plenty of content in the build-up to the new season here on F1.com, from the latest news and interviews to podcasts, videos and more. Bring on 2025!