2025 Formula One Season Preview: Team Predictions and Key Drivers to Watch

1. McLaren

• 4 — Lando Norris (Britain)
• 81 — Oscar Piastri (Australia)
• McLaren is one of the strongest teams this season, with Norris a favorite after his impressive 2024 season. Piastri, a rising star, could challenge Norris for top spots.
  Prediction: Top two contenders.

2. Ferrari

• 16 — Charles Leclerc (Monaco)
• 44 — Lewis Hamilton (Britain)
• Hamilton’s move to Ferrari grabs headlines, but Leclerc is primed to take the lead if the car performs well.
  Prediction: Challenging McLaren for the title.

3. Red Bull

• 1 — Max Verstappen (Netherlands)
• 30 — Liam Lawson (New Zealand)
• Verstappen seeks a fifth consecutive title, while Lawson, new to the team, will support Verstappen and need to outperform previous Red Bull rookies.
  Prediction: Top three contenders.

4. Mercedes

• 63 — George Russell (Britain)
• 12 — Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Italy)
• Russell is now Mercedes’ team leader, with the promising Antonelli in his first full season. The team could challenge for the title if their car is competitive.
  Prediction: Top three contenders.

5. Aston Martin

• 14 — Fernando Alonso (Spain)
• 18 — Lance Stroll (Canada)
• Alonso, still chasing a title at 43, might find it tough this season. Stroll needs to match Alonso’s pace to stay competitive.
  Prediction: Fifth place at best.

6. Alpine

• 7 — Jack Doohan (Australia)
• 10 — Pierre Gasly (France)
• Gasly leads Alpine with strong potential, while rookie Doohan will need to prove himself. The team could challenge for the best of the midfield.
  Prediction: Fifth or sixth place.

7. Haas

• 31 — Esteban Ocon (France)
• 87 — Oliver Bearman (Britain)
• Haas has a new lineup with Ocon and Bearman. After a solid 2024, maintaining their position could be difficult.
  Prediction: Could drop back in the standings.

8. Racing Bulls

• 6 — Isack Hadjar (France)
• 22 — Yuki Tsunoda (Japan)
• Hadjar, a rookie, joins Tsunoda in a team not expected to challenge for top positions but will likely maintain their performance.
  Prediction: No major change this season.

9. Williams

• 55 — Carlos Sainz (Spain)
• 23 — Alex Albon (Thailand)
• Williams has looked improved in testing. With Sainz joining the team, they could be competitive and challenge for the top of the midfield.
  Prediction: Fifth or sixth place if testing translates into race performance.

10. Sauber

• 27 — Nico Hulkenberg (Germany)
• 5 — Gabriel Bortoleto (Brazil)
• Sauber is focusing on 2026 but still has potential with rookie Bortoleto. The team may struggle to rise in the standings this year.
  Prediction: Likely to face challenges, with little movement in the standings.

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