The 2025 Formula 1 season begins in Australia this weekend at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, which marks the season’s first race.

Pre-season testing was held from February 26 to the 28, allowing the teams and drivers to familiarise themselves with their 2025 car at an actual F1 race circuit. During the winter months, the teams work to improve the cars from the previous year to refine the kinks of the cars, and pre-season testing is the first true test of whether everything works as it should.

Testing was held in Bahrain because of the consistent and reliable weather which gives every team an equal starting point. With only eight hours each day, the teams spent three days there, and the drivers had 24 hours total to get used to the cars before the racing season began just two weeks later.

How do the Reigning Champions Look?

Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time World Champion ended the final day of testing with 81 laps overall and about 0.021 seconds away from Mercedes’ George Russell, putting Red Bull fourth overall on the timesheet.

Verstappen mentioned there were a few problems with the car, but the team had completed most of what they wanted to do. With just three days in the car, it’s difficult to tell where all the teams stand, especially since the testing isn’t necessarily in a racing format when the drivers have much more to think about.

Red Bulls Technical Director, Pierre Wache, shared a similar thought process as Verstappen, as he mentioned the team expected the test to be smoother, but that the point of testing is to find out any problems and how to solve them in time for the race.

Liam Lawson, Verstappen’s new teammate and former Red Bull’s sister team driver, is stepping up to replace Sergio Perez after he struggled to stay consistent in the car last season. Lawson posted a best time of 1 minute 30.252 seconds placing seventh on the timesheets overall.

He feels he is in a positive place going into the first race and his technical director, Wache, praised him as well for “responding well” and that his feedback was very close to Verstappen’s.

Who Will Be This Year’s Champion?

Lando Norris, a McLaren driver, is one of the main contenders who can battle Verstappen and come out successful. During the 2024 campaign, the pair had intense and almost dangerous duels on the track multiple times, creating tension in their friendship. Specifically at the Austrian Grand Prix where the two came in contact, and later on as well in Austin and Mexico resulting in both of the drivers collecting penalties.

Norris and Verstappen were sat next to each other for a meeting with the media and were quizzed on the standings of their relationship to which they replied, jokingly, they don’t get along and had a fight at a pub the other day.

During the second day of testing, Norris completed a race-simulation run at the same time as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, finishing the simulation almost 30 seconds faster than his counterparts with an average of 0.5 seconds faster on lap times. This proves promising for the Brit as he heads into the first race of the season.

Charles Leclerc showed promise during his stint of preseason testing, holding P1 as the testing entered its closing stages on the third day. Usually a contender for the championship, Leclerc will have to try and capitalize on his strengths to try and beat both McLaren and Red Bull.

How Will the Rookies Do?

There are six rookie drivers this season all aged from 18 to 22 who will experience their Formula One debuts in Melbourne. This incoming class represents the most significant talent changes in years.

Kimi Antonelli, former Formula Regional European CHampion, is replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, partnering with George Russel, marking one of the boldest driver selections since Mercedes chose youth and potential over experience and established talent. He showed adaptability in the car during pre-season testing and showed promise to help Mercedes win some points.

Oliver Bearman, former Ferrari substitute turned Haas driver, is 19 and will be racing alongside Nico Hulkenberg, with a contract extending to 2026. During the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Bearman stepped up from Formula 2 to race in place of Carlos Sainz at Ferrari who was injured, and with a finish in seventh, he scored six points for Ferrari effectively elevating his profile.

Jack Doohan, a 22-year-old from Australia is racing with Pierre Gasly at Alpine, becoming the first Alpine Academy driver to graduate into a race seat with the team. He finished third place in the Formula 2 Championship and became the reserve driver for Alpine as well before his promotion to Formula One.

Isack Hadjar represents the latest graduate from Red Bull’s junior program and will be racing with Red Bull’s sister team VCARB with Yuki Tsunoda as his teammate. He is replacing Liam Lawson at RB and continues the tradition of opportunities for Red Bull junior drivers to prove themselves in Formula 1. During testing, he showed promise and received praise for his understanding and approach to the car.

Gabriel Botello, Saubers Brazilian Champion, joined Sauber during their pivotal transition period as the team prepares for Audi’s full factory involvement next year. He’s impressed the technical staff with his approach and learning style along with his development and has even been compared to Ayrton Senna due to his aggressive precision and remarkable sensitivity for car balance

Liam Lawson’s case is a little different, as the driver is entering his first Formula 1 season having already driven for Formula 1. He began by replacing an injured Daniel Ricciardo in 2023, then earned a full-time seat after he permanently replaced Ricciardo and delivered remarkable performances. He is marked as one of the most promising rookies entering the 2025 season.

The racing begins with team practices starting Thursday the 13th with the final qualifying on Saturday. Both Formula 2 and 3 will be racing in Melbourne as well with a feature race and a sprint race. The main race is on Sunday at 12 a.m. EST.