75 years of racing: Formula 1 returns for 2025

By Natasha Pinto

Having rounded up an intense racing season last December, the Formula 1 (F1) community has turned its attention to testing and the beginning of its 2025 season in Australia. Excitement carries as the series celebrates 75 years and begins another global adventure, with the outcome of several notable changes and additions as a major point of interest. 

Here are some of the key stories you should keep your eye on ahead of the 2025 F1 season. 

Hamilton in red

Now former Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton announced last February that he would be racing with Ferrari for the upcoming season. After a final season with Mercedes—where Hamilton won his home race at Silverstone and finished seventh in the Driver’s Championship, while Mercedes finished fourth in the Constructors—this Ferrari change means a new journey for the British superstar. 

With 105 wins, 202 podiums, and 356 Grand Prix earned in his career so far, Hamilton will now seek to build on those numbers, putting himself and teammate Charles Leclerc in the title battle with McLaren and Red Bull. 

Hamilton has plenty of championships and history with Mercedes over the last 11 years, so it will be intriguing to see whether a change of territory brings triumph or tribulation. 

New names

Gabriel Bortoleto 

Nationality: Brazilian

Age: 20

The Formula 2 champion will be racing with Stake Kick Sauber alongside Nico Hulkenberg for his first full season in the series. The Brazilian will be the first full-time driver for Brazil to cheer for since Felipe Nassar in 2016. 

Isack Hadjar

Nationality: French/Algerian

Age: 20

Battling till the end with Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar finished as the runner-up in the 2024 Formula 2 season with Campos Racing. Liam Lawson’s promotion meant Hadjar filled the final seat on the grid with the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (also known as VCarb), ready to get his first taste of racing at the highest level of motorsports. 

Jack Doohan

Nationality: Australian

Age: 22

Having served as a reserve driver for Alpine since 2023, Doohan gets his break as a full-time driver with the team this season. The Australian replaced Estaban Ocon after he joined Haas, which also allowed Doohan to step into the car for the final race at Abu Dhabi last season. He is teaming up with Pierre Gasly this season. 

Kimi Antonelli

Nationality: Italian

Age: 18

The youngest of the rookies joining the grid, Kimi Antonelli steps up from Formula 2 as well, replacing Hamilton at Mercedes. Stepping into the shoes (and seat) of a seven-time world champion, Antonelli feels the need to “make his own story” and not be seen as just a replacement.

Oliver Bearman

Nationality: British

Age: 19

Making a name for himself after being called up to race in place of Carlos Sainz at Ferrari last year, Bearman secured a Formula 1 seat with Haas this season. He finished in the points during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, emphasizing his talent and racing ability during the early part of last season. He and Ocon will look to push Haas out of the bottom four in the Constructor’s standings for the first time since 2018.

Lawson races with Red Bull

Red Bull, with a pairing of Sergio Perez and world champion Max Verstappen, appeared set with their lineup last season until a lack of performance from Perez made the team look for other options heading into 2025. Liam Lawson, who was part of their sister team, Visa Cash App RB, made the move to replace Perez. This will be his first full year in Formula 1 along with it being his first season with Red Bull. 

https://x.com/F1/status/1869669015905513477 

F1 75 & liveries

Formula 1 celebrated 75 years by hosting a launch event at the O2 Arena in London on February 18th. Showcasing the teams, drivers, and team management, the event highlighted what the upcoming season means for the drivers and the goals they hope to achieve by the end of 2025. Starting with Kick Sauber and ending with the 2024 Constructors Champions in McLaren, each displayed their new cars in a modern and stylish theme as crowds cheered on their favourites. 

All ten teams take to Bahrain next week for pre-season testing from Feb. 26-28, before the season commences in Australia on March 16.