The much-anticipated 2025 Formula 1 campaign kicks off this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix, which will be held around Albert Park in Melbourne.
Defending champion Max Verstappen is looking to win his fifth consecutive world title but will face some tough competition.
The likes of Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are set to be Verstappen's closest challengers.
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Ahead of what is being billed as one of the closest seasons of all time, a number of SPORTbible journalists have made their predictions for 2025.
Drivers' Champion
Marcus Chan - Lando Norris
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After failing to catch Verstappen in 2024, I expect Norris to learn from last season and go one better to finally shut the doubters up.
Tom Jenkins - Charles Leclerc
Since Ferrari's Monza upgrades, Leclerc has scored more points than any driver on the grid, and if Ferrari have the car I believe that will continue.
Marcus Banks - Max Verstappen
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Verstappen will have his work cut out for him to retain his drivers' world championship given the pre-season pace of McLaren, but he remains the best driver on the grid in my eyes.
He’s worked miracles before and it might take every ounce of his quality to stave off the challenge of his good friend Norris for a full season.
Ben McCrum - Max Verstappen
It's really shocked me how many people are counting out Verstappen this year. I know he's driving a car which, at best, is third fastest, but we're talking about a man who has won the last four titles in a row.
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It may be his toughest season yet, but I'm backing the Dutchman to get it done and take another step towards being considered the GOAT.
Ryan Smart - Lewis Hamilton
Eighth world championship on the line? Driving for Ferrari? In a car that can regularly challenge Norris, Verstappen and co? Bring it on.
Constructors' Champion
Marcus Chan - McLaren
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All things point to back-to-back titles for the Papaya team. With Norris and Piastri at the helm and their pre-season pace, they look like the team to beat in 2025.
Tom Jenkins - Ferrari
Yes I'm well aware it will be McLaren but let a man dream! On paper Ferrari have by far the best drivers, so if Hamilton can find his form I do believe they can have a real shot at the title this year to finally end their barren run.
Marcus Banks - McLaren
McLaren look to have the pace to retain the constructors but anything could happen in what looks set to be the most competitive season in recent history.
Ben McCrum - McLaren
I think the constructors will be close this year, but with no major changes to the cars coming until the new regulations next year, it's hard to look past the fastest team on the grid.
Ryan Smart - Ferrari
If Hamilton does secure the Drivers’ Championship, Ferrari are a good bet to take their first Constructors’ title in 18 years too. McLaren will be major contenders in what should be another close title race.
Flop of the Season
Marcus Chan - Liam Lawson
The second Red Bull seat has often been described as the poisoned chalice of F1. Lawson obviously has talent, but I fear he will struggle to keep up with Verstappen.
Tom Jenkins - Oscar Piastri
While I don't see the Australian being at all 'bad' this year, I do think Norris will comfortably be the stronger driver.
Considering Piastri's hype, three consecutive head-to-head losses is not what many predicted when he joined the grid.
Marcus Banks - Mercedes
Losing someone like Hamilton is a big blow, especially for Mercedes, who have been struggling for a few years now.
I expect them to struggle behind the likes of McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull.
Ben McCrum - Lewis Hamilton
This will be unpopular. I think Hamilton will do ok in the Ferrari but expectations on him are at their highest since the 2021 season.
He may get a few race wins but he'll be nowhere near the title this season.
Ryan Smart - Aston Martin
Pre-season testing was incredibly hard to read but Aston Martin didn’t come out of it well in too many metrics.
With Adrian Newey starting work this month, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see them effectively give up on 2025 early and focus all their attentions on attacking 2026 and the new regulations instead.
Rookie of the Season
Marcus Chan - Ollie Bearman
British young star Bearman has already showed his quality when he stepped in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari last year and I am backing the 19-year-old to shine during his first full season in the sport.
Tom Jenkins - Kimi Antonelli
The 18-year-old will be the only rookie to win a race this year, he's the real deal.
Marcus Banks - Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli has looked bright already and I’m confident he will make light work of the step up to F1 level.
Ben McCrum - Isack Hadjar
Although Antonelli is likely to be the rookie who gets the most points this season, the bar for him is higher given he's driving a Mercedes.
Of the other five rookies, I think Hadjar is the one that will surprise everyone and will end up outperforming expectations more than Antonelli.
Ryan Smart - Ollie Bearman
Much of the hype this season surrounds Antonelli and Mercedes, and rightly so.
But Bearman impressed during his three race outings for Ferrari and Haas last season, and if Haas’ rather unusual testing programme - which appeared entirely tailored to long runs - pays off, the Brit could be in for a strong campaign.
Bold Prediction
Marcus Chan - Williams to get at least one podium
James Vowles knows what he is doing; let him cook. Alexander Albon and Sainz will help the team move forward from last year.
Tom Jenkins - Max Verstappen to DNF at least five times
With his car likely to be further down the pecking order I believe Verstappen will be forced to overdrive this year's Red Bull. This will result in some magnificent performances; however, it could come to cost him over the course of the season.
Marcus Banks - Liam Lawson to be replaced at Red Bull before the end of the season
Lawson will have a lot of pressure on his shoulders in the second Red Bull seat and I wouldn’t be surprised if Christian Horner looked for alternative options if things went badly.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Yuki Tsunoda take his place with Lawson dropping down to Racing Bulls.
Ben McCrum - A rookie will get a race win this season
With six rookies on the grid this season and the sport as competitive as ever, I think we could be in for a shock this season.
The last rookie to win a race was Hamilton back in 2007, so who knows what the future would hold if one were to get it done this year.
Ryan Smart - Williams to have a podium finish
Williams have made significant strides both on and off the track in recent years, with 2024 mainly focusing on the latter.
Sainz and Albon is the strongest pairing they've had in well over a decade, and while it may take a specific set of circumstances, they could be in a position to mix it with the top teams on occasion.
Where will Lewis Hamilton finish?
Marcus Chan - 4th
I'm backing a fired-up Hamilton to get the better of his teammate in his first season at Ferrari but will just miss out on the top three behind Norris, Piastri and Verstappen.
Tom Jenkins - 3rd
I don't think Hamilton will be quite on the same level as Leclerc in the Ferrari, particularly at the start of the season, but there will be clear improvement compared to recent years.
Marcus Banks - 6th
Hamilton looks great in red but his rivals are more settled in their seat and he’d need to click instantly to challenge at the higher end of the standings.
Ben McCrum - 6th
I'm doubling down on my flop prediction. Verstappen, the McLarens, Leclerc and George Russell will all finish above the seven-time world champion.
Ryan Smart - 1st
Hamilton will be the 2025 Formula 1 world champion.
Topics: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Formula 1, George Russell, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, McLaren, Mercedes, Oscar Piastri, Red Bull Racing, Spotlight
The SPORTbible Team