Fans of Formula 1 will hear the first “lights out” of the season on Sunday, March 16 in Australia. With it comes the return of the storylines that will make up the season, the questions that will dominate the next 24 races, and the answers that will be revealed by the end of the season in Abu Dhabi.
So, what are they? These are some of the most common storylines that will be seen in F1 2025.
Hamilton v. Verstappen: GOAT v. Kid
Sir Lewis Hamilton is very commonly labeled the greatest F1 driver of all time. He has the most race wins, polls, and podiums in the history of the sport. However, he is missing just one record: most championships ever by a single driver. The record was set by Michael Schumacher in 2004 when he won his seventh. Hamilton won his seventh (and fourth straight) in 2020. However, since then, one man has been standing in the way of Hamilton getting his eighth, Max Verstappen.
The aggressive and dominant Max Verstappen has become known as somewhat of a villain in the F1 world. He was not only able to dethrone Lewis and prevent him from winning a championship in 2021 but he has won every championship one after that, four in a row. Verstappen, who is already inserting himself into the debate for greatest racer ever at 27, is looking for his fifth championship in a row, which would tie the record for most individual championships in a row, which was also set by Schumacher.
So, the showdown between Hamilton and Vertsappen will be at the forefront of F1 as they both chase history. However, it is not the only storyline coming from Formula 1.
McLaren Continuing a New Era
Last season, 2024, McLaren won their first constructor’s championship since 1998. But their dominance will likely continue.
McLaren has the young dynamic duo of Lando Norris (who put up a good championship fight against Max Verstappen last season) and Oscar Piastri (who just signed a multi-year deal with the team) who both use the McLaren’s pure speed to their advantage.
If both drivers can continue to produce like they have in the past, it is not impossible to see McLaren not only going back-to-back in the constructor’s championship, but also possibly having a driver win the driver’s championship as well.
New Faces in Big Places
Six drivers this year, over a fourth of the grid, are rookies and some of them are taking up important roles on championship contending teams.
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls – Replacing fellow rookie, Liam Lawson, on a middle-of-the-pack RB team.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber – Replacing veteran Valtteri Bottas on one of the weakest teams in F1.
Jack Doohan, Alpine – Replacing the speedy Estaban Ocon on a team hoping to make a push.
Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes – Acting as the heir to Lewis Hamilton’s throne as Mercades attempts to keep their championship hopes alive.
Liam Lawson, Red Bull – Replacing Sergio Pérez after he held Red Bull back from a constructor’s championship, Red Bull is hoping he will be able to push Red Bull past McLaren and Ferrari.
Ollie Bearman, Haas – Replacing Kevin Magnussen after he impressed last year when he drove for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
More stories will rise and fall in F1 in 2025. However, no matter what, the season will be a good one.
