McLaren
Automotive MCL39 Engine Mercedes Principal Andrea Stella Debut Monaco 1966 GPs 970 Titles 9 Final season 1st. In place to construct on securing the constructors’ championship in 2024, McLaren might be fast out of the blocks. The automotive was the standout in testing and confidence is excessive. Classes have been realized by way of questionable execution final yr and so they have two excellent drivers who’re each hungrily eyeing the staff’s first drivers’ title since 2008. How they handle them could also be key from the off.
Drivers
Lando Norris (GB, 25) No 4 Debut Australia 2019 Wins 4 Poles 9 Titles 0 Greatest season end 2nd Final season 2nd. As soon as given the automotive to compete, eagerly took the combat to Max Verstappen final season however by his personal admission was often discovered wanting. Believes he has recognized and handled these shortcomings, not least in a willpower to face down the Dutchman. With a fast automotive nothing lower than the title must be the goal.
Oscar Piastri (Aus, 23) No 81 Debut Bahrain 2023 Wins 2 Poles 0 Greatest qualifying 2nd Titles 0 Greatest season end 4th Final season 4th. Has made nice strides within the earlier two seasons and proved fully unintimidated in taking management and bossing his solution to wins. Extra will certainly observe. Fearsomely fast and an incisive overtaker however to mount a title problem he should match Norris in qualifying and get the most effective from his race tyres.
Ferrari
Automotive SF-25 Engine Ferrari Principal Frédéric Vasseur Debut Monaco 1950 GPs 1,098 Titles 16 Final season 2nd. Having fun with a resurgence as Vasseur’s influence is felt, the Scuderia are transferring from energy to energy. With a peaceful management from the highest bringing stability and goal, plus optimism that final yr’s weaknesses within the automotive have been eradicated, to not point out two of the most effective drivers on the grid, Ferrari must be real contenders. Something wanting commonly preventing for wins might be disappointing.
Drivers
Charles Leclerc (Mnc, 27) No 16 Debut Australia 2018 Wins 8 Poles 26 Titles 0 Greatest season end 2nd Final season 3rd. Carried out constantly final season and when Ferrari had the automotive firing, returned effectively with some drives highlighting his uncommon expertise. Going up in opposition to Hamilton might be his hardest problem however one which has impressed each drivers and as a veteran now on the staff, Leclerc has each motive to consider he must be on prime of any Ferrari title tilt.
Lewis Hamilton (GB, age 40) No 44 Debut Australia 2007 Wins 105 Poles 104 Titles 7 Final season seventh. A brand new problem at Ferrari has invigorated the seven-times champion. Motivated and charged-up, and though beginning afresh with a brand new staff might be removed from simple, Hamilton is relishing the duty. The SF-25 appears to be like to swimsuit his driving type and he’ll throw his all into it, which is more likely to be gripping regardless of the final result.
Crimson Bull
Automotive RB21 Engine Honda RBPT Principal Christian Horner Debut Australia 2005 GPs 393 Titles 6 Final season third. A critical misstep in growing the automotive was expensive in 2024 and testing suggests they’re nonetheless to unravel it, given Max Verstappen and his technical director Pierre Wache have but to be satisfied. Will likely be within the combine on the entrance however this time in a critical dogfight and with out the protection internet of a dominant opening.
Drivers
Max Verstappen (Neth, 27) No 1 Debut Australia 2015 Wins 63 Poles 40 Titles 4 Final season Champion. Battled laborious and in sometimes uncompromising type to grind out his fourth championship after the Crimson Bull fell away mid-season in 2024. Exhibits no signal of any diminishing starvation however with the automotive nonetheless not fairly the place he desires it, and certain assailed by a number of rivals, could also be set for the combat of his profession to efficiently defend the title.
Liam Lawson (NZ, 23) No 30 Debut Netherlands 2023 Greatest race end ninth Poles 0 Greatest qualifying fifth Titles 0 Greatest season end twentieth Final season twenty first. Going face to face with Verstappen is a large ask that has damaged many however Lawson appears to be like of stern stuff having taken over from Daniel Ricciardo at RB final yr. Mentally robust and extremely rated, stable returns to again the Dutchman and hold the staff within the title combat might be thought of successful.
Mercedes
Automotive W16 Engine Mercedes Principal Toto Wolff Debut France 1954 GPs 317 Titles 8 Final season 4th. Having struggled for the reason that final regulation change in 2022, Mercedes are optimistic they’ve lastly ironed out the inconsistencies which have plagued each experience since then. At occasions final yr they’d the quickest automotive and if they’ve transformed that into all-round efficiency they are going to be real gamers. The cool situations in testing might have benefited them disproportionately, nonetheless, during which case one other rollercoaster might await.
Drivers
George Russell (GB, 27) No 63 Debut Australia 2019 Wins 3 Poles 5 Titles 0 Greatest season end 4th Final season sixth. Now staff chief with Hamilton having moved on, Russell is greater than able to step up. Demonstrated final yr he could be unyielding and sturdy in racing Verstappen and that given the instruments he can ship. If Mercedes have the automotive he’ll really feel his time has come.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (It, 27) No 12 Debut Australia 2025 Wins 0 Poles 0 Titles 0 Greatest season end N/A Final season N/A. A graduate of their junior programme, Mercedes have proven huge religion in selling Kimi, as he’s recognized, to switch Hamilton. An enormous ask for the person who would be the third-youngest driver in F1 historical past when he takes to the grid in Melbourne. Inexperienced however fast, aggressive and drives on intuition. Count on fireworks.
Aston Martin
Automotive AMR25 Engine Mercedes Principal Andy Cowell Debut Netherlands 1959 GPs 95 Titles 0 Greatest end fifth Final season 5th. Adrian Newey didn’t arrive from Crimson Bull in time to have a fabric affect on the AMR25 so his design genius has but to be felt and he’s seemingly already centered on 2026. In the meantime, Cowell, ex-Mercedes, has stepped up as principal and the brand new automotive is definitely higher than a lacklustre testing recommended, however their spot as better of the remaining is beneath critical risk regardless of huge sources.
Drivers
Fernando Alonso (Sp, 43) No 14 Debut Australia 2001 Wins 32 Poles 22 Titles 2 Final season ninth. Possible now trying to nonetheless be within the sport for 2026, when Newey, new regs and a brand new Honda engine would possibly catapult Aston to the entrance, Alonso should show he’s nonetheless a power to be reckoned with. Has the chops, however will take luck in addition to his innate aptitude to attain a podium this season.
Lance Stroll (Can, 26) No 18 Debut Australia 2017 Greatest race end third Poles 1 Titles 0 Greatest season end tenth Final season thirteenth. Even given his father owns the staff, Stroll must return higher finishes with extra consistency. He too would possibly already be eyeing the siren name of subsequent season however ought to now show that he can sustain and even once in a while surpass his teammate and extract extra from an imperfect experience.
Alpine
Automotive A525 Engine Renault Principal Oliver Oakes Debut Bahrain 2021 GPs 90 Titles 0 Greatest end 4th Final season sixth. F1’s perennial underachievers are again for an additional shot at breaking freed from the midfield shackles. Oakes, appointed halfway by way of final season, has steadied the ship and made vital enhancements, with the potential for a lot extra. With a vigorous driver pairing, a superb run in testing suggests they’re effectively positioned to begin strongly in a decent midfield.
Drivers
Pierre Gasly (Fr, 29) No 10 Debut Malaysia 2017 Wins 1 Poles 0 Greatest qualifying 2nd Titles 0 Greatest season end seventh Final season tenth. Has the expertise and the verve to steer and galvanise the staff in the event that they do certainly hit that upward curve and remains to be able to stirring, compelling drives. Now has likelihood to construct a brand new, harmonious relationship along with his teammate Jack Doohan after a fractious one with the earlier incumbent Esteban Ocon.
Jack Doohan (Aus, 22) No 7 Debut Abu Dhabi 2024 Greatest race end fifteenth Poles 0 Greatest qualifying 17th Titles 0 Greatest season end twenty fourth Final season 24th. Made his debut within the remaining assembly final season and has lengthy expertise at Alpine as a reserve and academy driver however opens beneath huge strain. Alpine have already introduced in Franco Colapinto as their reserve after he made such an impression with Williams final yr and Doohan has to make a case to maintain his seat in no brief order.
Haas
Automotive VF-25 Engine Ferrari Principal Ayao Komatsu Debut Australia 2016 GPs 190 Titles 0 Greatest end fifth Final season seventh. Komatsu did a stand-up job to maneuver Haas ahead from what was a low in 2023 and what was anticipated to be one other painful yr in 2024. Each indication that he has continued the progress. The automotive was rock-solid in testing the place they centered on race tempo and tyre put on, a former weak spot, whereas they’ve drivers that would push past expectations of one other seventh place.
Drivers
Esteban Ocon (Fr, 28) No 31 Debut Belgium 2016 Wins 1 Poles 0 Greatest qualifying third Titles 0 Greatest season end eighth Final season 14th. Distributed with when relationship with Alpine and his teammate Gasly frayed in July 2024 though an excellent second place in Brazil was a reminder of how good he will be. An skilled hand, might be anticipated to steer the Haas assault however with a powerful problem from his teammate.
Oliver Bearman (GB, 19) No 87 Debut Saudi Arabia 2024 Greatest race end seventh Poles 0 Greatest qualifying 10th Titles 0 Greatest season end 18th Final season 18th. Impressed because the super-sub for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Jeddah final season after which later for Haas. Deserved the accolades he earned, is fast and has proved he can adapt effectively alongside having fun with a prodigious charge of enchancment. Carries excessive expectations however reveals each indication of assembly them and can count on to attain important factors.
Racing Bulls
Automotive VCARB 02 Engine Crimson Bull RBPT Principal Laurent Mekies Debut Bahrain 2006 GPs 353 Titles 0 Greatest end sixth Final season eighth. Mekies, now getting into his second season in cost at Crimson Bull’s sister staff, will count on stability and to construct a constant problem, particularly after the distraction round Daniel Ricciardo final yr. The automotive is the nicest-looking the staff have fielded for a while however nonetheless seems a handful to drive which can go away them floundering in a fiercely aggressive pack.
Drivers
Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn, 24) No 22 Debut Bahrain 2021 Greatest race end 4th Poles 0 Greatest qualifying third Titles 0 Greatest season end twelfth Final season twelfth. Disillusioned to not be given a shot with Crimson Bull after what was his greatest season but in 2024 with 9 factors finishes and a superlative third on the grid in treacherous situations in Brazil. Extra managed and constant than when he started 4 years in the past, nonetheless Tsunoda is now seemingly driving to make his case for a future with one other staff.
Isack Hadjar (Fr, 20) No 6 Debut Australia 2025 Wins 0 Poles 0 Titles 0 Greatest season end N/A Final season N/A. Promoted from the Crimson Bull junior programme and supported by its overseer, Helmut Marko, a lot is anticipated of Hadjar, who has no little tempo. Was in control throughout testing, particularly for a rookie, however tends to lose his cool beneath strain.
Williams
Automotive FW47 Engine Mercedes Principal James Vowles Debut Spain 1977 GPs 834 Titles 9 Final season ninth. Vowles continues the rebuilding course of at Williams with indications his efforts are being rewarded sooner quite than later. After a battering final yr the brand new automotive appears to be like fast and secure, robust out and in of corners and made the case to steer the midfield in testing. A large leap for the staff who’ve two ready drivers in what might be their greatest season since 2017.
Drivers
Alexander Albon (Thai, 28) No 23 Debut Australia 2019 Wins 0 Greatest race end third Poles 0 Greatest qualifying 4th Titles 0 Greatest season end seventh Final season sixteenth. After a constructive sequence of bettering seasons, underperformed by his personal requirements final yr, at occasions overshadowed by new boy Colapinto. Will count on an enchancment and desires it going face to face along with his new teammate who might be trying to take the lead and make his mark.
Carlos Sainz Jr (Sp, 30) No 55 Debut Australia 2015 Wins 4 Poles 6 Titles 0 Greatest season end fifth Final season fifth. Unlucky to be dropped by Ferrari in favour of Hamilton after having put in a stable, battling stint with the Scuderia. With no room on the entrance of the grid was tenaciously pursued by Vowles who recognised his expertise as a key asset to a staff on the up. A dogged fighter and simply what Williams wants.
Sauber
Automotive C45 Engine Ferrari Principal Mattia Binotto (interim) Jonathan Wheatley (from 1 April) Debut South Africa 1993 GPs 486 Titles 0 Greatest end 2nd Final season tenth. The final gasp earlier than re-emerging because the Audi works staff in 2026 appears to be like set to be at perfect a interval of making-do. Wheatley, who performed an enormous half in Crimson Bull’s latest success, might be a powerful addition however with the automotive ponderous and off the tempo and the main focus already set forward, they seem destined to carry up the rear.
Drivers
Nico Hülkenberg (Ger, 37) No 27 Debut Bahrain 2010 Greatest race end 4th Poles 1 Titles 0 Greatest season end seventh Final season eleventh. Introduced in for his expertise because the staff transition to Audi he too might be trying towards 2026, however with a rookie teammate should be anticipated to pull no matter he can from the C45 and elevate the staff from the again of the grid. Nevertheless, that elusive first F1 podium appears to be like additional than ever after 227 begins for the Hulk.
Gabriel Bortoleto (Bra, 20) No 5 Debut Australia 2025 Wins 0 Poles 0 Titles 0 Greatest season end N/A Final season N/A. The previous McLaren junior who took the F3 and F2 championships in his rookie seasons has no little pedigree and is managed by Alonso’s firm. Binotto has praised his tempo, perspective and big potential with an eye fixed on his function at Audi however, for now, a bruising rookie season awaits with Sauber.
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