Lewis Hamilton Joins Ferrari – Can He Challenge Verstappen?

Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 F1 Season: Hamilton’s New Home, Verstappen’s Dominance & More

After an eventful offseason, the 2025 Formula One season is finally here. With new driver lineups, technical changes, and an intense 24-race schedule, fans are in for an exciting year of racing.

How to Watch the 2025 F1 Season

• The season kicks off in Australia for the first time since 2019 and concludes in Abu Dhabi in December.
• The calendar remains at 24 races, the longest in F1 history.
• The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix have been rescheduled to accommodate Ramadan.
• In the US, races will be broadcast on ESPN; in the UK, coverage will be on Sky Sports.

Major Driver Changes: Hamilton’s Ferrari Switch

One of the biggest moves in F1 history happened when Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes to join Ferrari, replacing Carlos Sainz.

• The seven-time world champion begins a new chapter alongside Charles Leclerc.
• His arrival has electrified Ferrari fans—his first official Ferrari post became the most-liked F1 Instagram post ever.
• Hamilton described the move as a “challenge I really needed” to reinvigorate his career.

Ferrari’s last drivers’ title was in 2007—can Hamilton and Leclerc bring them back to the top?

Can Anyone Stop Verstappen?

• Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time world champion, is eyeing a historic fifth straight title.
• Red Bull has faced a rocky preseason, with Verstappen admitting they have “work to do.”
• Liam Lawson replaces Sergio Pérez as Verstappen’s new teammate, making his full-time F1 debut.
• Red Bull also faced controversy last season with allegations against team principal Christian Horner, though he was cleared of any wrongdoing.

McLaren’s Rising Ambition

• McLaren had an impressive 2024 season, winning the constructors’ championship.
• Their driver lineup—Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—is considered one of the most exciting in the paddock.
• Norris believes McLaren has no excuses in 2025: “We proved last year that we have what it takes.”
• Mercedes’ George Russell called McLaren the “strongest team in Bahrain testing.”

Other Key Driver Changes

• Carlos Sainz joins Williams after being replaced at Ferrari.
• Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 18, takes Hamilton’s vacant seat at Mercedes.
• Haas welcomes Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.
• Sauber brings in Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg.
• Jack Doohan (Alpine) and Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) are among five full-time debutants.

Technical Changes for 2025

• Fastest Lap Point Removed: Drivers will no longer earn a point for setting the fastest lap.
• More Track Time for Rookies: New drivers now get four practice sessions instead of two.
• Minor tweaks to aerodynamics and fuel efficiency aim to improve racing dynamics.

Full 2025 F1 Race Calendar

1. Australian Grand Prix – March 16
2. Chinese Grand Prix – March 23
3. Japanese Grand Prix – April 6
4. Bahrain Grand Prix – April 13
5. Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – April 20
6. Miami Grand Prix – May 4
7. Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix – May 18
8. Monaco Grand Prix – May 25
9. Spanish Grand Prix – June 1
10. Canadian Grand Prix – June 15
11. Austrian Grand Prix – June 29
12. British Grand Prix – July 6
13. Belgian Grand Prix – July 27
14. Hungarian Grand Prix – August 3
15. Dutch Grand Prix – August 31
16. Italian Grand Prix – September 7
17. Azerbaijan Grand Prix – September 21
18. Singapore Grand Prix – October 5
19. United States Grand Prix – October 19
20. Mexico Grand Prix – October 26
21. Brazilian Grand Prix – November 9
22. Las Vegas Grand Prix – November 22
23. Qatar Grand Prix – November 30
24. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – December 7

The 2025 F1 season is shaping up to be a thriller with new rivalries, unexpected shake-ups, and the hunt for another world title. Will Verstappen continue his reign, or will Hamilton’s Ferrari gamble pay off? Let the race begin!

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