Ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season getting underway with the Australian Grand Prix, our writers make way too early predictions for the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
So, who have we selected to succeed Max Verstappen and McLaren as the Drivers’ and Constructors’ title winners?
Taylor Powling (Editor)
Who will win the Drivers’ Championship?
Much has been made about the mistakes Lando Norris made last season demonstrating that he doesn’t have the credentials to cope with the pressure at the sharp end. However, that might be irrelevant based upon the suspected margin McLaren upheld during testing. The Briton has proven that he has the speed to win multiple races in a competitive enough car and there are more question marks over Oscar Piastri than his more experienced team-mate. With a comprehensive regulation overhaul on the horizon too that rivals teams will soon have to switch attention to, McLaren making a lightning start could see Norris – with the momentum in his sails – open up a points advantage that soon becomes unassailable as he chases a maiden title.
Who will win the Constructors’ Championship?
Having backed Lando Norris to take the Drivers’ Championship, I can’t look past McLaren to secure the title double that the team is craving in 2025. Both drivers are now experienced multiple-time race winners and should have the car in which to repeat last season’s success. Ferrari pushed the Woking-based squad close as the previous campaign drew to a close, but scepticism remains over the radical changes that the Italian marque has made to the SF-25. Red Bull still has doubts over whether it has addressed the capricious tendencies which unravelled the team’s dominant opening to 2024, while Mercedes must prove that the inconsistencies which have blighted it across this regulation period have been eradicated.
Dan Lawrence (Deputy Editor)
Who will win the Drivers’ Championship?
I am going for potentially hot takes with both of my selections. Starting with the Drivers’ title, I’m taking a punt on Charles Leclerc to end Ferrari’s prolonged drought for championship glory. I rank Leclerc among the strongest performers in 2024 and believe Ferrari has the capability to fight McLaren all season long, picking both teams to be the best of the field. I see Leclerc as a stronger competitor than Norris and able to see off the challenge of new team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Who will win the Constructors’ Championship?
Sticking to my guns here, I’m going for an outlandish – some may say – prediction of a Ferrari title double in 2025. If the Scuderia can deliver a car worthy of the Drivers’ title, then surely the strongest driver line-up on the grid can get the job done in the Constructors’ as well? After coming agonisngly close in 2024, this is the year Ferrari could get river its perceived hump.
Phil Horton (F1 Editor)
Who will win the Drivers’ Championship?
It would be great if we had a season-long title battle between multiple drivers from different teams, and you can make a case quite easily for Norris and Leclerc. But my instinct still tells me to back Verstappen, given he’s won the last four titles, and was a class apart last season.
Who will win the Constructors’ Championship?
Again there are arguments for three teams, as McLaren and Ferrari were separated by a whisker, while it wouldn’t have taken too much for Red Bull to retain its crown despite Sergio Perez’s struggles. I’ll go for the safe option of backing McLaren given the continuity in the driver line-up and the potential of the car.
Jack Smith (F1 Reporter)
Who will win the Drivers’ Championship?
This was a hard one to make a call on – I have two names in mind, and neither of them are Norris or Verstappen. But I’ve decided to plump for someone who would become Australia’s third F1 champion – Oscar Piastri. Norris is an exceptional driver, and could very well win, but unless he is able to overturn the chinks in his armour, I think his team-mate will be able to challenge and win the title. Piastri is very fast and has a sort of calm and calculating demeanour, and I think that is what will take him to the top of the world.
Who will win the Constructors’ Championship?
McLaren, if the Bahrain indications are correct, will win. I think Ferrari has the building blocks to challenge, and you can never discount Red Bull, but McLaren seems to have what it takes to hold on to the trophy.
Harry Whitfield (F1 Reporter)
Who will win the Drivers’ Championship?
Although Norris’ title aspirations came apart towards the end of the 2024 season, I have a feeling this season is going to be different. It’s hard to believe that Red Bull has been able to make any significant progress towards catching McLaren. Therefore, in my opinion, it will be difficult for Verstappen to drag his car towards another championship. However, I wouldn’t rule out Piastri ruining the Brit’s chances at a first title. The Australian keeps improving year by year. But I have to give it to Norris this year; with the experience he gained from 2024, he has all the tools necessary to clinch his first title.
Who will win the Constructors’ Championship?
As I mentioned earlier, I think it will be difficult for Red Bull to catch up with its rivals, meaning the Constructors’ title should be McLaren’s to lose in 2025. The Woking-based team has a strong driver lineup, which surpasses Red Bull’s. Ferrari did pose a threat to the Papaya squad towards the end of last season. So, I feel it will be a close battle between the two rivals, but McLaren should come out on top once again based on the learnings from pre-season testing in Bahrain.
READ MORE – Why McLaren is even more optimistic about strong 2025 F1 start with Australia opener
