RacingNews365 writers make their 2025 F1 season predictions

The new F1 season is right around the corner with the Australian Grand Prix opening the new campaign this weekend.

Following last year's closely fought affair, the season ahead is expected to be another tightly contested championship with multiple teams and drivers in the mix.

The close pecking order makes it even more difficult to guess just how the season will play out - but it's all part of the fun!

Below, you can view a series of predictions by the RacingNews365 team. Have your own? Let us hear them in the comments!

Who will win the drivers' championship?

Ian Parkes - Lando Norris

On the eve of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Norris said he was surprised at the shortsightedness of others in the paddock at their claim he and McLaren are favourites to land the drivers' and constructors' titles this year. Those remarks of others were based on a long run in Bahrain that suggested McLaren was comfortably quickest. Norris cited the conditions, and went on to suggest Ferrari, in particular, and Red Bull would both be quick. More than likely. But there was no disguising the fact the McLaren was not just quick but looked balanced and assured. If Norris and McLaren make a flying start in a season when the focus of all the teams will quickly switch to the major regulation change of 2026, then the title will be the British driver's for the taking.

Jake Nichol - Oscar Piastri

The weakness that Piastri had in 2023 was tyre management, he fixed that in 2024, only to find qualifying replaced it, but was still awfully close to Lando Norris, often only being shaded by a tenth or there, it was the finest of margins for a driver who was learning how to operate at the sharp end. He's got that experience now and the fact he's received a new bumper contract and salary shows how highly McLaren rate him. Piastri is very, very good and if he continues the progress he's shown over the first two seasons, his third could be a very successful one.

Fergal Walsh - Max Verstappen

The bookies' favourite coming into this season is Lando Norris, and it's an understandable bet given McLaren's strong form last year and its eye-opening pace from pre-season testing. But with the regulations in the final year of their cycle, it's expected to be a closely contested campaign with multiple drivers in the running for the ultimate prize. Verstappen has proved again and again that he can make the difference in tight situations. Bar Lewis Hamilton, he is the only driver expected to be in the mix with title-winning experience. It's a trait that will play into his hands across the 24-race season.

Nick Golding - Max Verstappen

Will Verstappen have the strongest car in 2025? Short answer, no. However, even when things were against him last season he just seemed to always find a way. He has dominated the current regulations, and despite Red Bull's issues it is almost a guarantee he will be fighting for a fifth crown.

Samuel Coop - Lando Norris

I would love to put my money where my mouth is and continue the George Russell prediction I made on the RacingNews365.com podcast last summer, but that would not be true to my actual appraisal of the situation. My answer might have more to do with McLaren than it does Norris, but the Woking squad looked imperious during pre-season testing - and Piastri is just a little short of where he needs to be against his more experienced team-mate. Plus, I expect Norris to meet the campaign ahead with the determination and consistency we saw from him at the year-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when he cruised to a comfortable, mistake-free victory.

Who will win the constructors' championship?

Ian Parkes - McLaren

It is hard to look beyond McLaren for the same reason above regarding Norris. The MCL39 looked to be the class act of the field in pre-season testing and at a circuit where it has previously struggled. Yes, the unseasonal conditions should be factored in but it is difficult to look beyond McLaren at this stage given all the information that came out of those three days in Bahrain.

Jake Nichol - McLaren

The biggest threat will come from Ferrari, but it all depends on who gets the fastest start before attention switches to 2026 and nailing that massive change which is coming. McLaren have the best and most settled car at the moment. 

Fergal Walsh - Ferrari

Ferrari should be in a good place this year and will pose a strong threat in the championship. Hamilton has renewed energy in his fresh environment and although it will take a little bit of time to get up to speed, he will be inspired to make sure he gets into a good place. Racing alongside Ferrari veteran Charles Leclerc, the duo has more than enough talent to bring the Italian squad back to championship glory and add to the illustrious trophy cabinet at Maranello.

Nick Golding - McLaren

I see a similar story in the constructors' championship this season that unfolded last year. A two-horse fight between McLaren and Ferrari is a safe bet, with Red Bull and Mercedes both having too many question marks. McLaren defend the title. 

Samuel Coop - McLaren

The constructors' champion's form in the Bahrain test was an ominous warning for the chasing pack. Its long-run pace met with the experience gained from last year - on multiple fronts - will prove a formidable combination to overcome. Unless Ferrari can step up from what it showed in testing, it will not be all that close either. 

Who will be the most impressive rookie?

Ian Parkes - Oliver Bearman

The only way to quantify this is in comparison to a team-mate in terms of average qualifying lap time. Discounting Liam Lawson as a rookie as he has already competed in 11 grands prix, my money is on Ollie Bearman. He displayed considerable talent in his three stand-in outings last year, and I feel he will more often than not ruffle Esteban Ocon's feathers.   

Jake Nichol - Oliver Bearman

It is all relative. If you simply take the drivers' standings at the end of the season to name best rookie, then it will be Liam Lawson or Kimi Antonelli - but what if they trudge around getting sixth place finishes all year, 30 seconds behind their team-mate? If Bearman then finishes every race 9th, the other two would finish ahead in the standings - but who would have had the better season...

Fergal Walsh - Oliver Bearman

Bearman impressed during his substitute appearances with Ferrari and Haas during the 2024 season. While it has upped the expectations on his shoulders, Bearman showcased last year that he could deal with the pressure. The 19-year-old already showed himself to be a well-polished driver in his initial appearances and should continue to impress this year.

Nick Golding - Kimi Antonelli

If he had a better car, my answer would actually be Gabriel Bortoleto! However, he is in for a long season. Antonelli has big shoes to fill on Hamilton's old side of the garage, and I fancy him to push Russell more than is perhaps expected. There is no doubting Antonelli's speed, it is just a matter of keeping it on the black stuff. 

Samuel Coop - Gabriel Bortoleto

Jake is right, this is completely relative and will be the most difficult section to quantify come season's end, but I like Nick's first answer. Underestimate Bortoleto at your own risk, no matter what car is underneath him. The Stake is likely to be comfortably the worst car and all we can really do is benchmark against team-mates. Bortoleto has a tough task alongside Nico Hulkenberg, but I expect him to rise to the challenge - and have the measure of him by the end of the year.

How will Lewis Hamilton get on at Ferrari?

Ian Parkes - In testing, Hamilton said it was the best he had felt in a car in pre-season for a few years. That was not said for effect or to irk Mercedes. You could tell his words were genuine. There is a quiet confidence in Hamilton, and if that translates early on track with a car that is clearly different to anything he experienced at Mercedes, then he will be at the sharp end in qualifying and grands prix. It would not be a surprise to see him net a few poles and race wins this year. 

Jake Nichol - He'll win some races but will fall short in the title race. Think of this year as his 2013 at Mercedes, getting up to speed at a new team before, he hopes, Ferrari is the class leader through the rules change. But don't underestimate the positive effect the new environment will have on the Briton, it will re-energise him after his time at Mercedes eventually ran stale.

Fergal Walsh - There's new, fresh energy coming from Hamilton this year. His final years at Mercedes made for some difficult viewing at times, but with a new environment, Hamilton will be boosted by the new challenge. He will win races and take podiums but ultimately be out-paced by Leclerc.

Nick Golding - I completely agree with Jake's thoughts. It would come as a huge surprise to me should Hamilton fail to claim a victory this season, especially if the SF-25 is more to his liking than Mercedes' last three cars. However, an eighth drivers' title feels unrealistic, adding to the pressure of Ferrari acing the new power unit regulations in 2026

Samuel Coop - Jake's answer is strong, but what if Ferrari messes things up for 2026? That is why it is 'go time' in Maranello. However, I stand by my concerns. Hamilton will only win two or three grand prix, but he will have the measure of Leclerc.

What is the most outlandish thing that will happen?

Ian Parkes - Not so outlandish but there has to be a degree of authenticity behind such a prediction, and I'm going for every driver in the top four teams - McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes - winning at least one grand prix. We came close last year and I'm confident it will happen this year.

Jake Nichol - Max Verstappen is banned from a grand prix. He enters the season on eight penalty points, with the next set not due to come off until after June's Austrian GP - that's 11 grands prix and two sprints to navigate. He says he will manage the situation when asked by RacingNews365, but given the new race director is toughening things up, he could be the first world champion to be banned from a grand prix.

Fergal Walsh - Yuki Tsunoda will part ways with Red Bull before the end of the season. Where will he go? No idea. But in his place will come yet another rookie in Arvid Lindblad whose Formula 2 season will be cut short for the opportunity to impress at the energy drink-backed squad.

Nick Golding - Weirdly, I kind of agree with Jake's prediction. Verstappen has a difficult few months to navigate with his current penalty points tally, and it is known how harsh the FIA are going to be over foul language. However, I think Antonelli wins a race this year before Russell.

Samuel Coop - There certainly is substance to Fergal's prediction, but I cannot help but feel the Monaco Grand Prix changes will throw up a huge shock result on account of someone devising an ingenious strategy - or completely lucking out. Not necessarily a win, but potentially a surprise podium finisher. Let's hope it is Hulkenberg.