The 2025 F1 Season – Overview
The new campaign commences in Melbourne this March, as the world-famous Albert Park Circuit hosts the Australian Grand Prix. A further 23 action-packed weekends of racing will follow, with 20 drivers representing ten constructors competing over an intense nine-month season.
Europe will host ten of these 24 weekends, with a series of venues located across the length and breadth of the continent. The U.S. is only the country to stage three Grands Prix, welcoming drivers to Florida, Texas, and Nevada for the third consecutive season. A total of six Sprint Races will take place, offering drivers an opportunity to bump up their weekend’s points tally. The following tracks have been selected for these popular condensed events: Shanghai International Circuit (China), Miami International Autodrome (USA), Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Circuit of the Americas (USA) Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Brazil), Lusail International Circuit (Qatar).
For the twelfth year running, the F1 season comes to a conclusion at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. By that point, we’ll know whether reigning World Champion Max Verstappen has successfully defended his title. The dynamic Dutchman added further silverware to his increasingly busy trophy cabinet in 2024, keeping a rampant Lando Norris at arms-length throughout the competition. Although the British youngster ultimately fell short in his quest for the Drivers’ Championship, he played a critical role in helping McLaren to secure a first Constructors’ title in 26 years.
With a series of line-up changes, some thrilling individual duels, and several sub-plots bubbling nicely under the surface, the 2025 F1 season promises to be another exhilarating campaign.
2025 F1 Calendar: Race Schedule
All race weekends consist of practice sessions, qualifying, and the main event Grand Prix, with the action unfolding between Friday morning and Sunday evening. All six scheduled Sprint Races will take place on Saturdays. The campaign begins in mid-March and ends in early December, with pre-season testing completed in Bahrain during the last week of February.
The full schedule for the 2025 F1 season is listed below (*denotes Sprint Race Weekend):
14th – 16th March: Australian Grand Prix (Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne)
21st – 23rd March*: Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai)
4th – 6th April: Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka)
11th – 13th April: Bahrain Grand Prix (Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir)
18th – 20th April: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah)
2nd – 4th May*: Miami Grand Prix (Miami International Autodrome, Miami)
16th – 18th May: Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix (Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola)
23rd – 25th May: Monaco Grand Prix (Circuit de Monaco, Monaco)
30th May – 1st June: Spanish Grand Prix (Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló)
13th – 15th June: Canadian Grand Prix (Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montreal)
27th – 29th June: Austrian Grand Prix (Red Bull Ring, Spielberg)
4th – 6th July: British Grand Prix (Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone)
25th – 27th July*: Belgian Grand Prix (Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot)
1st August – 3rd August: Hungarian Grand Prix (Hungaroring, Mogyoród)
29th – 31st August: Dutch Grand Prix (Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort)
5th – 7th September: Italian Grand Prix (Autodromo Nazionale Monza)
19th – 21st September: Azerbaijan Grand Prix (Baku City Circuit, Baku)
3rd – 5th October: Singapore Grand Prix (Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore)
17th – 19th October*: United States Grand Prix (Circuit of the Americas, Austin)
24th – 26th October: Mexico City Grand Prix (Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City)
7th – 9th November*: São Paulo Grand Prix (Autódromo José Carlos Pace)
20th – 22nd November: Las Vegas Grand Prix (Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Paradise)
28th – 30th November*: Qatar Grand Prix (Lusail International Circuit, Lusail)
5th – 7th December: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi)
For the latest updates and a full overview of the 2025 F1 calendar, visit the F1 race schedule on Flashscore.
Team Line-ups
All ten teams are represented by two main drivers, having announced their respective line-ups well in advance of the curtain-opener in Melbourne.
There are five rookies amongst the roster, as Jack Doohan (Alpine), Oliver Bearman (Haas), Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), and Isack Hadjar (Visa Cash App Red Bulls) navigate their maiden F1 campaigns. These newcomers will rub shoulders with a number of highly experienced racers, as the likes of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, veteran Spaniard Fernando Alonso, and seasoned campaigner Nico Hulkenberg soldier on.
Several of last season’s participants have moved into different roles, with a handful assuming test or reserve driver duties for various teams. Although a relatively uncommon occurrence, teams are permitted to replace drivers throughout the season due to injury or performance issues.
The full 2025 F1 driver line-up is as follows:
BWT Alpine F1 Team: Jack Doohan (Australia), Pierre Gasly (France)
Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team: Fernando Alonso (Spain), Lance Stroll (Canada)
Scuderia Ferrari: Charles Leclerc (Monaco), Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain)
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team: Esteban Ocon (France), Oliver Bearman (Great Britain)
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber: Gabriel Bortoleto (Brazil), Nico Hulkenberg (Germany)
McLaren Formula 1 Team: Lando Norris (Great Britain), Oscar Piastri (Australia)
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Italy), George Russell (Great Britain)
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team: Isack Hadjar (France), Yuki Tsunoda (Japan)
Oracle Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen (Netherlands), Liam Lawson (New Zealand)
Atlassian Williams Racing: Alexander Albon (Thailand), Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain)
Driver changes
The annual flurry of recruitment activity took place towards the latter stages of last season, as teams scrambled to secure the signature of targeted drivers before preparations for the next campaign commenced.
Although Lewis Hamilton’s sensational switch to Italian giants Ferrari unsurprisingly dominated the pre-season headlines, there was plenty of movement amongst the rest of the driver population. Most teams have substituted at least one driver, whilst underdogs Haas and Sauber boast a completely new line-up. The introduction of five rookies into the field has pre-empted a handful of departures, with the exit of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez perhaps the most eye-catching development.
Summary of key moves
Lewis Hamilton: After a magical 12 seasons in the Mercedes hot seat, Lewis Hamilton begins a new chapter with Scuderia Ferrari. The legendary British racer won six of his seven Drivers’ World Championships while representing the Silver Arrows, breaking a vast range of long-standing records in the process. However, having only registered two Grand Prix wins in the last three years, a fresh environment may just be what Hamilton needs to revive his ailing form.
Carlos Sainz: Spanish speedster Carlos Sainz makes way for the incoming Lewis Hamilton, exiting Ferrari after finishing amongst the top 5 competitors in three of the last four Drivers’ Championships. In what is considered a major coup for the British-based outfit, the 30-year-old Madrileño joins Williams on a multi-year contract. Sainz accrued an impressive 290 points last term, having secured two race victories and nine podiums; over the last seven seasons, his new employers have only managed to amass 84 points. After replacing the struggling Logan Sargeant ahead of the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, Franco Colapinto loses his grid position and becomes a reserve driver for BWT Alpine.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli: Having won a series of F4 and Formula Regional events since commencing his competitive single-seater career, Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli now hopes to prove himself on the elite stage. Arriving on the F1 circuit following the departure of Silver Arrows hero Lewis Hamilton, the young Italian has some rather large boots to fill.
Nico Hulkenberg: After ending his two-year affiliation with American minnows Haas, wily veteran Nico Hulkenberg joins Sauber ahead of Audi’s buyout next year. Although still chasing an elusive first podium finish after more than 200 prior attempts, the dependable German may well prove to be a shrewd addition to the ranks of 2024’s lowest-scoring team.
Gabriel Bortoleto: Having clinched the 2023 F3 title before becoming an F2 champion the following season, many have high hopes for new Sauber recruit Gabriel Bortoleto. The Brazilian youngster will hope to tap into the wisdom of experienced teammate Nico Hulkenberg, as he attempts to acclimatise to the rigours of the F1 circuit.
Oliver Bearman: Thanks to three hugely impressive performances as a replacement driver during the 2024 F1 campaign, it was no surprise when Haas confirmed Ferrari Academy graduate Oliver Bearman would be part of their new-look team. The talented teenager secured seven points from the aforementioned three races, holding his own in Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, and Brazil. Kevin Magnussen steps down to facilitate the Englishman’s arrival but will pursue other racing disciplines in addition to supporting Haas’ technical testing team.
Esteban Ocon: During a positive five-year spell with the Renault-powered Alpine team, Esteban Ocon claimed a landmark first-career win following a heroic drive at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. However, the Frenchman has been able to really kick on since that memorable day at the Hungaroring, managing only to record a further two podiums over the next three campaigns. Ocon joins forces with Bearman in a fresh-faced Haas line-up.
Jack Doohan: Ocon’s transfer to Haas creates a space for Jack Doohan, the son of five-time World Motorcycling champion Mick. Having waited patiently in the wings for an opportunity, the Aussie racer was called up to the final weekend of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi. Doohan joins Frenchman Pierre Gasly in the Alpine chairs.
Liam Lawson: Having cut his racing teeth competing for Red Bull’s sister outfit, Liam Lawson was deservedly promoted to the Oracle team ahead of the 2025 campaign. Partnering four-times Drivers’ World Champion Max Verstappen, will be eager to pick up some helpful tips from the dynamic Dutchman.
Isack Hadjar: Although eventually pipped to the post by fellow newcomer Gabriel Bortoleto, highly-rated youngster Isack Hadjar put on a series of dazzling displays throughout the 2024 F2 campaign. Having served as a test and reserve driver for both Red Bull outfits over the past two seasons, the pacey Parisian is finally unleashed on the F1 track.
Odds: Who are the favourites to win the 2025 Drivers’ Championship?
Ahead of what could be one of the most tightly-contested Drivers’ Championships for many a season, the bookies are backing Lando Norris to break Max Verstappen’s hegemony. Having never previously passed the chequered flag first, the enterprising Englishman secured four victories throughout the 2024 campaign, emerging triumphant in Miami, Zandvoort, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi.
Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton combine to create an intimidating partnership, but do either have a realistic chance of being at the summit of the leaderboard come early December? Or could we see a surprise package upset the established order?
We take a look at several racers expecting to at least challenge for this year’s title….
Lando Norris (McLaren)
Having scaled new heights in the months leading up to the final weekend of the 2024 F1 season, Lando Norris put on a sensational performance in Abu Dhabi to propel McLaren to a first Constructors’ title in almost three decades. The gifted Englishman’s triumph at the Yas Marina circuit pushed his career tally over the 1,000 points threshold, as he announced himself as a genuine contender for the 2025 Drivers’ Championship.
Now entering his seventh season in Papaya Orange, Norris has cultivated immensely close relationships with his engineers and technical support staff. Acutely aware of the strengths and limitations of his MCL39 challenger, the Bristol-born youngster is in a fantastic position to launch an assault on the title.
To win: 13/8 (favourite)
Max Verstappen (Oracle Red Bull Racing)
Despite clinching a remarkable fourth consecutive Drivers’ World Championship last term, Max Verstappen will be conscious of others gaining ground. The Dutchman recorded ten fewer race victories in 2024 versus the previous campaign, reducing the gap between champion and runner-up from 290 points to just 63 points in a single year.
Nevertheless, it’ll take some effort to erode Verstappen’s vice-like grip on the title, having relentlessly dominated the F1 field since early 2021. Are we about to see a changing of the guard, or will Red Bull’s talisman protect his crown?
To win: 10/3
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Arguably his most impressive season since arriving on the F1 circuit almost seven years ago, Charles Leclerc found himself on the rostrum on 13 occasions during the 2024 campaign.
After achieving his lifelong ambition of winning the Monaco Grand Prix on an emotional day in Monte Carlo, the Monegasque native secured a Ferrari home victory at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza to spark wild celebrations amongst a boisterous Tifosi crowd. Leclerc’s third and final victory of the year came courtesy of a flawless performance in Texas, swatting his rivals aside at the Circuit of the Americans to claim maximum points.
Having concluded two of the last three seasons less than 150 points behind the title winner, can the 27-year-old at least get within touching distance this time around?
To win: 9/2
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
No other competitor in F1 history has registered as many wins, podiums, or pole-sitting positions as Lewis Hamilton, while only German legend Michael Schumacher can match his staggering record of seven Drivers’ World Championships. The Stevenage-born speedster ushered in a golden era for the Mercedes team, but will now race in Ferrari red following a trophy-laden spell with the Silver Arrows.
Having waited almost 1,000 days since his last race victory, Lewis Hamilton secured a record-extending ninth win at Silverstone at the halfway point of the 2024 season. Will an unprecedented tenth British Grand Prix triumph accelerate yet another title charge?
To win: 11/2
F1 2025 odds summary
Drivers’ Championship – Winner Betting Odds
Lando Norris (McLaren) – 13/8 (Favorite)
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 10/3
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 9/2
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 11/2
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 7/1
George Russell (Mercedes) – 14/1
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 50/1
Constructors’ Championship – Winner Betting Odds
McLaren – 5/6 (Favorite)
Ferrari – 11/8
Red Bull – 6/1
Mercedes – 14/1
Aston Martin – 100/1
Williams – 100/1
Alpine – 250/1
TV & Stream: Where to watch the 2025 F1 season
Sky Sports has quickly gained a reputation as the home of F1 since acquiring television rights in 2012, and will once again provide live coverage of every practice segment, qualifying session, sprint race, and Grand Prix this season. Viewers can catch the action on Sky Sports F1, the network’s dedicated F1 channel.
The only exception to Sky’s exclusivity deal relates to the screening of the British Grand Prix weekend, with terrestrial station Channel 4 able to broadcast the full event. Due to the all-encompassing nature of Sky’s coverage, F1 TV Pro – the sport’s in-house media platform – is unavailable to customers in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Capturing every minute of all 24 race weekends and offering access to archive footage, onboard cockpit cameras, and a range of interactive features, F1 TV Pro is a one-stop shop for all F1 enthusiasts. However, the platform is only available in selected countries.
Points System
There are no major changes to F1’s points allocation system ahead of the 2025 campaign, with each of the top ten racers still receiving a proportionate share of the spoils. The current system has been in place since 2010 when it was decided an additional two drivers would receive points at the conclusion of each race. Prior to 1991, only a select number of each driver’s ‘best results’ would contribute towards their final points tally, enabling poorer performances to be discarded. For the last 33 years, every race outcome has had a bearing on the final standings.
The highest-ranked eight racers receive a merit-based allocation of points in sprint races, following on from the template used since 2022. Only three competitors were rewarded in each sprint race during the 2021 campaign, the first season to stage these events.
The only significant update to the points distribution model is the removal of the fastest lap bonus, an incentive re-introduced in 2019 following a 60-year absence. For the past five seasons, the driver who completed the quickest tour of the circuit during each Grand Prix received an additional bonus point, providing they finished amongst the top ten places. Fastest lap bonus points were issued during the inaugural F1 championship but were shelved nine years later.
The last recipient of the fastest lap bonus point was Lando Norris, touring the Lusail International Circuit in just over 1 minute 22 seconds during the closing stages of the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix. Although Kevin Magnussen recorded the fastest lap in Abu Dhabi seven days later, the experienced Dane missed out on the bonus point by virtue of concluding the race in 16th position.
The Constructors’ Championship will be determined by the combined points total of each team’s two drivers, with the results of all 24 race weekends counting towards the overall score. This format has been used since 1979, pre-dating the Drivers Championship switch from a 'best results' to 'all-in' model.
Confirmed points allocations – 2025
Grand Prix (Feature Race)
1st = 25 points
2nd = 18 points
3rd = 15 points
4th = 12 points
5th = 10 points
6th = 8 points
7th = 6 points
8th = 4 points
9th = 2 points
10th = 1 point
Sprint Race
1st = 8 points
2nd = 7 points
3rd = 6 points
4th = 5 points
5th = 4 points
6th = 3 points
7th = 2 points
8th = 1 point
Past Winners
Drivers
No country has produced more Drivers’ Championship winners than Great Britain, with ten racers securing 20 titles since the F1’s inception in 1950. However, it’s been five years since a British competitor last triumphed, as Lewis Hamilton secured a record-equalling seventh title at the conclusion of the COVID-impacted 2020 campaign.
Michael Schumacher is the only driver to scoop five consecutive world titles, ruling the roost in Ferrari red between 2000 and 2004. Throughout this triumphant period, the German icon astonishingly won more than half of the races he entered.
The youngest world champion in F1 history is Sebastian Vettel, clinching the 2010 title aged just 23 years and 134 days. A week before securing his individual crown following a dramatic four-way scrap for supremacy in Abu Dhabi, the popular German ensured Red Bull earned a maiden Constructors’ title with a typically polished performance at the Interlagos Circuit. Legendary Argentinian racer Juan Manuel Fangio sits on the other end of the spectrum, earning his fifth and final Drivers Championship at the ripe old age of 46 years and 41 days.
Despite losing his air of immortality towards the closing stages of the 2024 campaign, few would relish going toe-to-toe with reigning Drivers’ Champion Max Verstappen. The dominant Dutchman holds the record for the most consecutive Grand Prix wins, registering ten race victories throughout the summer of 2023. Lando Norris appears to be the greatest threat to the Verstappen dynasty, having shown flashes of brilliance over the last twelve months.
Recent Drivers Championship Winners
2024: Max Verstappen (Oracle Red Bull Racing, 437 points)
2023: Max Verstappen (Oracle Red Bull Racing, 575 points)
2022: Max Verstappen (Oracle Red Bull Racing, 454 points)
2021: Max Verstappen (Oracle Red Bull Racing, 395.5 points)
2020: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, 347 points)
2019: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, 413 points)
2018: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, 408 points)
2017: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, 363 points)
2016: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes, 385 points)
2015: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, 381 points)
2014: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, 384 points)
Constructors
The most successful team in F1 history is also the most famous, with Ferrari having amassed a colossal 16 titles throughout their decorated history. The formidable duo of Kimi Räikkönen and Felipe Massa were the last to procure a Constructors’ crown for the Maranello-based outfit, commencing an ongoing wait of over 16 years for further silverware.
Several teams have enjoyed extended periods of dominance of late, kicked off by Red Bull’s four-year whitewash that commenced the season after Brawn’s fairytale victory in 2009. Buoyed by the exploits of rising star Lewis Hamilton, German powerhouses Mercedes – having returned to the F1 track in 2010 following a 55-year hiatus – won a remarkable eight consecutive Constructors Championships. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez then conspired to end the reign of the Silver Arrows, returning Red Bull to the top of the rostrum in 2022 and 2023. We could be on the precipice of yet another power shift, as McLaren seek to land back-to-back titles following last year’s long-awaited triumph.
Recent Constructors Championship Winners
2024: McLaren (Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, 666 points)
2023: Red Bull Oracle Racing (Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, 860 points)
2022: Red Bull Oracle Racing (Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, 759 points)
2021: Mercedes (Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, 613.5 points)
2020: Mercedes (Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, and George Russell, 573 points)
2019: Mercedes (Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, 739 points)
2018: Mercedes (Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, 655 points)
2017: Mercedes (Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, 668 points)
2016: Mercedes (Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, 765 points)
2015: Mercedes (Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, 703 points)
2014: Mercedes (Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, 701 points)