After triumphantly parking his car following his victory in the final Formula 1 race of 2024, Lando Norris immediately declared his ambition to become the champion in 2025.
“Next year is going to be my year, too,” Norris, who finished as the runner-up to Max Verstappen this season, announced to the McLaren team via radio.
With four different teams securing wins throughout 2024, the upcoming season is expected to be even more fiercely contested. Lewis Hamilton seeks to clinch his eighth career title with Ferrari, and a cohort of ambitious younger drivers will be making their appearances on the grid.
F1’s major rule changes often disrupt the old order, sometimes granting a single team a considerable edge.
However, when the regulations remain stable for an extended period, teams tend to achieve a level of parity. The nail-biting title competition witnessed in 2021 between Verstappen and Hamilton preceded significant changes to the rules in 2022.
Fans can anticipate that McLaren and Norris will be formidable contenders in the next season.
“This year’s lesson for me is to believe in myself more,” Norris reflected after the race on Sunday.
“I haven’t consistently finished atop the podium as often as I would have preferred, especially in my encounters with Max. While it can be painful at times, I feel more confident going into next season, knowing I can compete.”
Some fear that focusing too heavily on 2025 may distract teams from present challenges, with some hinting at targeting 2026 instead.
Carlos Sainz Jr. revealed on Sunday that his new squad, Williams, is already gearing up to seize opportunities in 2026.
Aston Martin has Adrian Newey, renowned as F1’s premier designer, leading its development after departing from Red Bull.
Meanwhile, Audi is transforming Sauber into its works team for 2026, and General Motors is preparing to enter the grid with its Cadillac brand, potentially gaining a head start in development.
“It’s clear that an early start translates to a larger edge,” Red Bull’s Christian Horner acknowledged, “but if the 2025 championship turns into a fierce contest, it will necessitate careful management.”
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari marks the return of a seven-time champion into the legendary team’s fold,
evoking memories of Michael Schumacher, the only other driver to secure seven titles in F1 history.
After an emotional farewell to Mercedes, Hamilton will quickly pivot his focus to the challenges of 2025.
Notably, no driver has taken the F1 title with Ferrari since Kimi Raikkonen narrowly edged Hamilton, who was a rookie at the time, by a single point in 2007.
“Lewis has accomplished so much in this sport; it will serve as significant motivation,” commented his future teammate, Charles Leclerc, on Sunday.
Hamilton, who is F1’s only Black driver, has also expressed his commitment to advancing diversity efforts within the sport upon joining his new team.
Could 2025 see the emergence of new talents challenging the sport’s established icons?
The grid will welcome its largest rookie class in several years, headlined by rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is set to fill Hamilton’s spot at Mercedes.
Oliver Bearman makes his debut with Haas following a series of impressive substitute performances, while F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto shifts to Sauber.
Alpine also introduced new driver Jack Doohan, son of a renowned motorcycle racing legend, to F1 during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he finished in 15th place.
Valuable experience awaits in the upcoming post-season tests in Abu Dhabi.
The influx of newcomers indicates that some seasoned drivers may find themselves sidelined from the F1 grid.
Valtteri Bottas, a ten-time GP winner, is anticipated to transition back to Mercedes in a reserve role after his exit from Sauber.
Other experienced names, including Kevin Magnussen, Zhou Guanyu, and Franco Colapinto, are also set to be without race seats in 2025.
Additionally, Sergio Perez, who placed second to Verstappen in 2023, struggled to match his teammate’s speed this season, leading to ongoing speculation about his future amidst a previously agreed contract extension for 2025.
