F1 2025 Favourites

The 2025 Formula 1 season kicks off on March 16 at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit, with it being the first time since 2019 that Australia has hosted the season opener. This season, there will be a record 24 Grand Prixs, including six Sprint races, as Belgium join China, Miami, Austin, Brazil, and Qatar in hosting these shorter formats.

A major storyline this year is that Lewis Hamilton will be racing for Ferrari after he left Mercedes for pastures new. The seven-time world champion is looking to rejuvenate Ferrari’s legacy and his career with the hope of challenging Max Verstappen, who has dominated the sport in recent times. Hamilton’s move has triggered several other driver changes, with Sergio Perez departing Red Bull, an example.

The 2025 season will welcome a talented group of rookies to the grid, such as Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, Oliver Bearman at Haas, and Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber. Pre-season testing out in Bahrain highlighted McLaren’s competitiveness, with their MCL39 performing well under Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Regulatory updates include the elimination of the point for the fastest lap and the introduction of mandatory two-stop strategies at the Monaco Gran Prix. The season’s official launch took place at the O2 Arena in London, where all ten teams made their respective unveilings in a historic event.

With a blend of experience and emerging talent on the grid in 2025, the Formula 1 season promises to be a thrilling season once again, with there likely to be plenty of compelling storylines playing out between now and the end of the campaign as drivers battle for greatness on the sport’s biggest stage.

Drivers’ Championship

The 2025 Drivers’ Championship is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with the potential for multiple drivers battling for the title. While Max Verstappen starts out as the defending champion, the grid is loaded with talent, and key changes with teams and drivers have added intrigue in the race for honours.

Lando Norris enters the season as arguably Verstappen’s main rival. After finishing second last season, Norris is now determined to take the next step. His McLaren team, fresh off their constructors’ title success, have built a competitive car, and with Oscar Piastri as his teammate, they’re expected to challenge Red Bull and Ferrari. Norris has expressed his intention to be more aggressive in his fight against Verstappen on the track, and if he can add consistency to that, he could secure his first title.

The biggest talking point this season is that Lewis Hamilton will be driving for Ferrari. Hamilton and Ferrari are looking to find a way back to the top, and they’re hoping that by teaming up, they can achieve their dream together. There are reports that Ferrari’s SF25 car suits Hamilton’s driving style, and his experience will be invaluable in the pursuit of success. Hamilton’s partnership with Charles Leclerc is expected to be a key storyline, as both are capable of winning races and winning the title.

Max Verstappen remains the benchmark due to his repeated success. Despite Red Bull’s struggles towards the end of last season, Verstappen’s dominance and ability to extra the most out of his car make him a strong favourite in the drivers’ championship betting alongside Norris. However, Red Bull’s decision to promote Liam Lawson, a rookie, to the second seat, has added an element of uncertainty, as the team has historically relied on a strong second driver to support their title bids.

A wave of talented rookies, alongside Lawson, are joining the grid in 2025. Andrea Kimi Antonelli has replaced Hamilton at Mercedes, adding youthful energy alongside George Russell. Oliver Bearman has gone full-time at Haas, while Gabriel Bortoleto is in at Sauber.

Predictions for the drivers’ championship remain split. For some, McLaren’s upward trajectory make Norris the strongest contender, while others expect Hamilton to have the edge at Ferrari. Verstappen, in the eyes of many, remains the man to beat due to his recent dominance.

Recent Winners

Constructors’ Championship

If last season was anything to go by, the 2025 Constructors’ Championship should once again be extremely competitive, with multiple teams looking to push for the title. Red Bull have dominated in the past, but McLaren were triumphant last season, and the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes will all be positioning themselves as contenders this time around.

McLaren enter the season as the reigning Constructors’ Champions after a breakthrough 2024 campaign. As a result, they start as the favourite in the Constructors’ Championship betting to make it back to back successes. Their innovative MCL38 played a key role in securing their first title in years in 2024, largely thanks to its advanced aerodynamics and flexible front wing, giving them the edge over Red Bull.

In 2025, McLaren introduced MCL39, featuring a revised radiator layout and upgraded suspension. With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri forming their driver lineup, the team is confident they can maintain their momentum. Pre-season testing in Bahrain showed McLaren remain one of the fastest teams on the grid, putting them in pole position on the constructors’ front.

Ferrari are boosted by the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, with his experience expected to be a crucial factor in Ferrari’s push for their first Constructors’ title since 2008. Charles Leclerc remains a key figure for the team, and alongside Hamilton, Ferrari have a team capable of winning races. Their SF25 car has been solid in testing, and they could be in contention from the get-go.

Red Bull’s chances in the constructors’ race took a blow when legendary departure Adrian Newey left to join Aston Martin. Newey’s influence on the team’s previous championship-winning cars was immense, and his absence could impact Red Bull’s ability to maintain their dominance. The RB20 remains competitive, that much is clear, but the loss of Newey is sure to be felt. Red Bull dropping Sergio Perez for rookie Liam Lawson could also open the door for rivals.

McLaren start the season with the intention of defending their title, and they’re likely to achieve their goal at this point. While Ferrari are re-energised, it may take some time for them to make their way back to the top. The changes at Red Bull, especially the loss of Newey, are a hammer blow to their chances. It’ll be interesting to see how Aston Martin get on with Newey, now part of their design team.

Recent Winners

One thing is for sure: the 2025 Formula 1 season is going to be another thrilling ride from start to finish. Right now, it’s Formula 1 betting suggests that it could be a clean sweep for Lando Norris and McLaren, but you can’t write Max Verstappen off or Red Bull. And could this finally be the year Ferrari, now with Lewis Hamilton as their number one driver, climb back to the top? They’re in the conversation.