ABU DHABI.- Just finished the 2024 season of Formula 1everything indicates that Max Verstappenchampion for the last four years, will find tough competition in 2025, from his great rival in this course, Lando Norris (McLaren), to the legend Lewis Hamilton, driving a Ferrari.
The Briton, with his high-profile arrival at the Scuderia after twelve years at Mercedes and six world titles, will seek a record eighth crown.
Verstappen, the defender
After four years of almost absolute dominance, Verstappen (Red Bull) appears as a favorite for a fifth consecutive title that would expand his legend in the premier category of motorsport.
However, 2024 was not a bed of roses like 2023, when he chained victories without major opposition. He began the season with seven wins in ten races, but ‘Super Max’ then showed that he was vulnerable.
“I am sure that in 2025 we will give him a car that will allow him to fight for the championship again,” promised his boss Christian Horner.
“I don’t think it will be easy, but it won’t be easy for any of the teams,” he added.
Norris, the confirmation
‘Mad Max’s’ main rival this season, Norris (McLaren) has shown that he has what it takes to fight for the title.
During the season that concludes, the improvements to his McLaren, which led the British team to win the constructors’ title, allowed him to be increasingly competitive, fighting for the front positions almost every weekend.
The 25-year-old, finishing his best F1 season since his debut in 2019, admitted last month that he was “probably” not ready to take on Red Bull and Verstappen.
But Norris is very confident about next year, driving a car “with which everyone thinks they can win the championship.”
“I feel capable of fighting for the championship, I can say that with confidence, I have what it takes, I have to work on some things, but I can fight against Max,” he added.
Piastri, the alternative
Very regular, Oscar Piastri (McLaren) showed this season, only his second in the elite, that he can be a serious candidate for the title like his teammate Norris in 2025.
The Australian achieved his first two Grand Prix victories this year (Hungary and Azerbaijan).
Enough to think about the title? True to himself, the Australian prefers to temporize: “The competition will be incredibly tough, no matter which opponent you take.”
“As a team, being fast from the first race of the year will be important. Max had a big lead at the start of this season, he kept it, which is impressive considering he often didn’t have the fastest car.”
The Australian will have to improve in qualifying to be able to achieve his first pole position.
Hamilton, the legend
Once again he will be the most watched pilot. About to turn 40 – in January – Hamilton will turn the page on his golden era with Mercedes, six world titles in 12 years, to join Ferrari.
In the spotlight, an eighth world title that will allow him to surpass the German Michael Schumacher and become the driver with the most crowns in history.
Ferrari, in a season with ups and downs, hopes that the arrival of the British legend will allow it to take a leap in quality, after finishing this campaign in second place in the Constructors’ World Championship behind McLaren (Mercedes finished 4th).
Leclerc, what now?
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s great hope to regain a drivers’ world title that it has not won since 2007, may be displaced by the arrival of Hamilton.
“I feel prepared,” he assured AFP this week, “confident” that his team “will be in a better position” than in 2024.
The Monegasque, a pure Ferrari product, finished third in the 2024 World Championship, behind Verstappen and Norris.
