As the brand new 12 months begins, the main focus shifts totally to the upcoming F1 season, leaving 2024 behind. January is that point of 12 months when the primary automobiles return to the monitor, when information in regards to the groups’ automobile initiatives begins circulating, and when predictions start. For a lot of, Leclerc and Ferrari are the frontrunners for the 2025 season.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 season and McLaren’s “blowout,” the workforce from Maranello is placing the whole lot into the brand new 12 months, the final beneath the present laws. Group Principal Frédéric Vasseur has introduced that the “677” shall be a very new challenge. As a substitute of specializing in the 2026 laws, Ferrari goals to maximise the potential of those automobiles, which have reached the boundaries of improvement.
2025: What a season awaits!
Ferrari may also profit from a brand new addition: seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. This makes 2025 one of the crucial thrilling and fiercely contested F1 seasons lately. 4 groups—McLaren, Ferrari, Purple Bull, and Mercedes—are vying for the 2 world titles.
McLaren will look to construct on and enhance its efficiency from final season, Ferrari goals to return to its rightful place, Purple Bull received’t settle for defeat, and Mercedes should recuperate after three disappointing years. Nevertheless, not all groups can have a powerful and skilled lineup.
On this entrance, McLaren and Ferrari are the perfect positioned. Each Purple Bull and Mercedes, barring surprises, will depend on just one skilled driver: Max Verstappen and George Russell. Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli, being rookies, will want their first 12 months to adapt to the brand new groups and the quickest automobiles on the earth.
Charles Leclerc and Ferrari the favorites?
Among the many 4 drivers from the 2 quickest groups, many see a two-way battle: Lando Norris versus Charles Leclerc. Talking at F1 Talks, Kristensen, Hakkinen, and Coulthard shared their opinions on who between the 2 may be the favourite to win the 2025 drivers’ and constructors’ world titles.
“I’d say Leclerc would be the drivers’ world champion, whereas McLaren will win the constructors’ title once more,” mentioned Tom Kristensen. “After all, the obvious reply can be Max Verstappen, but when he doesn’t win, then I say Charles Leclerc.”
Former McLaren driver David Coulthard agreed. “Max continues to be the perfect driver on the grid, at the least proper now. If he has a aggressive automobile, he’ll undoubtedly be within the struggle. But when we set him apart, I additionally select Charles Leclerc and Ferrari. There’s little question about his pace, which implies Fred Vasseur can have stabilized the workforce and given Ferrari an opportunity.”
Two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen had a unique view. “In the event you take a look at McLaren, at how they’ve all of the little particulars in place proper now, I really feel that Lando Norris is unquestionably a really sturdy candidate to be world champion. I additionally suppose McLaren may win the constructors’ title once more.” – the previous System 1 driver concluded.