As the engines roar to life in the 2025 Formula 1 season, fans and analysts alike are buzzing with excitement over the lineup of drivers and the teams they represent.
This year promises to be a turning point in the sport, with a mix of seasoned champions, emerging talents and surprising team dynamics that could reshape the championship landscape.
With some drivers switching teams and new faces entering the grid, the stage is set for fierce rivalries and thrilling races.
In this article, we explore the drivers of 2025, their respective teams, and what we can expect from this exhilarating season ahead.
1. Oscar Piastri
Piastri is gearing up for the 2025 Formula 1 season with McLaren, aiming to assert himself against teammate Lando Norris.
After a strong 2024, where McLaren clinched the Constructors’ Championship, Piastri intends to avoid team orders that previously limited his performance.
āI think itās important for me to initially put myself in a stronger position. Thatās probably the biggest lesson I can learn from this.
“I think I just have to make sure I score the points and maximize my chances because that really led to the team orders. So thatās my goal,” Piastri said.
2. Lando Norris
Norris will race for McLaren in the 2025 Formula 1 season, marking his seventh year with the team.
He finished as the runner-up in the 2024 Drivers’ Championship and aims to claim his first title this year.
Notably, McLaren has refreshed its team orders, giving Norris priority as he seeks to challenge reigning champion Max Verstappen more effectively.
3. Charles Leclerc
Leclerc will race for Ferrari in the 2025 Formula 1 season alongside seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Leclerc is optimistic about their partnership, viewing it as a chance to learn from Hamilton while also competing for dominance within the team.
The dynamic between Leclerc and Hamilton is anticipated to create an intense competitive environment at Ferrari, with both drivers seeking to secure the championship title.
4. Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton has officially joined Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season after an 11-year stint with Mercedes.
This move fulfills a childhood dream for Hamilton, who aims to revitalize Ferrari’s championship prospects alongside Leclerc, replacing Carlos Sainz.
His first test drive in a Ferrari occurred recently, where he showcased enthusiasm and energy for the upcoming challenges
5. Max Verstappen
Verstappen will race for Red Bull in the 2025 Formula 1 season, continuing his tenure with the team after securing his fourth consecutive championship in 2024.
He will be joined by Liam Lawson, who replaces Sergio Perez following a challenging season for the latter.
Verstappen emphasized that the car’s performance will be crucial for their success, rather than the identity of his new teammate.
“If we can get the car back to the front, the name in the other cockpit wonāt matter. I donāt have a crystal ball, but if we can rectify certain weaknesses over the winter, weāll be back at the front. But Iām certainly not making any predictions here,” he said.
6. Liam Lawson
Lawson has been confirmed as Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull Racing for the 2025 Formula 1 season, replacing Sergio PĆ©rez.
The 22-year-old New Zealander was promoted after impressing during two stints as a replacement driver in 2023 and 2024.
Lawson expressed his excitement, stating it is a lifelong dream to join the team.
“To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me. This is something Iāve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old. Itās been an incredible journey so far,” he said.
7. George Russell
Russell will race for Mercedes in the 2025 Formula 1 season alongside 18-year-old Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is stepping up from Formula 2.
Russell anticipates a competitive dynamic, stating that Antonelli’s speed will challenge him and keep him on his toes.
āKimiās exceptionally fast and Iāve got no doubt heās going to be really keeping me on my toes next year, and Iām really looking forward to a new challenge. Three years working with Lewis has been exceptional, but Iām really looking forward to seeing what we can do together from next year onwards,” he stated.
8. Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Antonelli has been confirmed as a driver for the Mercedes F1 team for the 2025 season, replacing Hamilton.
At just 18 years old, he will partner Russell after a successful season in Formula 2 with PREMA Racing, where he secured two race wins and finished seventh in the championship.
Antonelli aims to grow alongside Russell, who has already proven to be a strong leader within the team.
“Reaching F1 is a dream Iāve had since I was a small boy; I want to thank the team for the support theyāve given me in my career so far and the faith theyāve shown in me.
“I am still learning a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity. I will be focused on getting better and delivering the best possible results for the team,” he said.
9. Lance Stroll
Stroll will continue racing for the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team in 2025, having signed a contract extension that secures his position until at least the end of the 2026 season.
This announcement maintains an unchanged driver lineup alongside Fernando Alonso, contributing to team stability and continuity.
Stroll has expressed enthusiasm about the team’s progress and future prospects, emphasizing his commitment to their development efforts.
10. Fernando Alonso
Alonso continues to race for Aston Martin in the 2025 Formula 1 season, alongside Stroll.
At 44, Alonso aims for his first Grand Prix win since 2013, with the team expected to improve following significant management changes and the addition of renowned figures like Adrian Newey.
Despite a challenging 2024 season, Alonso remains optimistic about the team’s potential, particularly with new regulations set for 2026 that could enhance performance.
11. Pierre Gasly
Gasly will continue with Alpine for the 2025 Formula 1 season and beyond, having signed a multi-year contract extension.
This decision follows the departure of his teammate Esteban Ocon, with Australian driver Jack Doohan stepping in as his new partner.
Gasly expressed confidence in Alpine’s vision and progress, highlighting the team’s potential amid ongoing changes in regulations.
“I’ve been officially here for over 18 months and it has always been the plan to build a long-term project with the team. While on-track it’s been a challenging season so far, I remain faithful to the project and I am not going anywhere. I am happy with the changes made, the hard work, and the direction the team is taking.
“There is a lot of potential in this team’s personnel and resources. I’m excited for what is to come in the future and right now I’m focusing on the everyday details that we are putting in to improve our performances,” he remarked.
12. Jack Doohan
Doohan has been officially promoted to a full-time driver for the Alpine F1 Team for the 2025 season, partnering Pierre Gasly.
The 21-year-old Australian, who previously served as a reserve driver, replaces Esteban Ocon following his move to Haas.
Doohan has shown promise in Formula 2, finishing third in the championship last year with three wins.
Despite the arrival of Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver, Alpine has confirmed that Doohan will start the season alongside Gasly.
13. Isack Hadjar
Hadjar, a rising star from the Red Bull junior program, will make his Formula 1 debut in 2025 with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.
Hadjar, aged 20, finished as the runner-up in the 2024 Formula 2 championship, showcasing his talent with four race wins.
His promotion follows Lawson’s ascent to the main Red Bull team after Perez’s departure.
Team Principal Laurent Mekies expressed confidence in Hadjar’s ability to adapt and contribute significantly to the team.
“Weāre excited to have Isack with us next year, bringing a new and fresh dynamic to the team alongside Yuki in 2025. His journey to Formula 1 has been nothing short of outstanding. He has shown remarkable growth, with a series of impressive results in the junior single-seater ranks,” Mekies said.
14. Yuki Tsunoda
Tsunoda will compete for Racing Bulls in the 2025 Formula One season, marking his fifth year with the team.
Despite being a consistent presence, he was passed over for promotion to the main Red Bull team in favor of Lawson, raising questions about his future within the Red Bull organization.
Team principal Christian Horner hinted that 2025 could be Tsunoda’s last year with Racing Bulls unless an alternative role arises.
15. Esteban Ocon
Ocon has signed a multi-year contract with Haas for the 2025 Formula 1 season, leaving Alpine after five years.
He will team up with rookie Oliver Bearman, marking a completely new driver lineup for Haas.
Ocon expressed excitement about joining a team with ambitious plans and a strong work ethic, and he will reunite with team principal Ayao Komatsu, who was his engineer during his early F1 career.
“I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter in my Formula 1 career and join Haas from the start of the 2025 season. I’ll be joining a very ambitious racing team, whose spirit, work ethic and undeniable upward trajectory has really impressed me,” he said
16. Oliver Bearman
Bearman is set to drive for the MoneyGram Haas Formula 1 Team in the 2025 season after signing a multi-year contract.
The 19-year-old, a Ferrari Academy driver, made a notable debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, finishing seventh and scoring points.
His signing marks a significant step for both Bearman and Haas, with team principal Komatsu expressing excitement about developing his talent further.
Bearman joins Haas as one of four British drivers on the F1 grid, fulfilling a childhood dream of racing in Formula 1.
17. Alexander Albon
Albon will continue racing for Williams in the 2025 Formula 1 season after signing a multi-year contract extension, ensuring his presence through the new regulation era starting in 2026.
He will be joined by Sainz, who moves from Ferrari, enhancing the team’s driver lineup.
Albon has expressed optimism about their potential, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and adaptability as they aim to overcome challenges faced in previous seasons.
āIt will be great that once Carlos comes in and integrates himself into the team ā his experience and his knowledge from Ferrari is gonna help a lot. I do think he will be a good team leader as well. He’s well-spoken and he’s very articulate.
“He comes from a strong engineering background too, I think he’s good in that sense. How we take his information and how we can apply it to our car will be really important, too,” he said in a past interview.
18. Carlos Sainz
Sainz will join Williams Racing for the 2025 Formula 1 season, signing a two-year contract with options to extend.
This move comes after his departure from Ferrari, where he was replaced by Hamilton.
Sainz will partner with Albon, aiming to help elevate Williams’ performance in the championship.
He expressed excitement about joining a historic team and is committed to contributing to their resurgence in F1.
“I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards. It is no secret that this yearās driver market has been exceptionally complex for various reasons and that it has taken me some time to announce my decision.
“However, I am fully confident that Williams is the right place for me to continue my F1 journey and I am extremely proud of joining such a historic and successful team, where many of my childhood heroes drove in the past and made their mark on our sport,” he said.
19. Nico Hulkenberg
Hulkenberg will join Sauber in 2025, transitioning from Haas, as confirmed by both teams. This move positions him as one of Audi’s drivers when the team officially enters Formula One in 2026.
Hulkenberg expressed excitement about this opportunity, noting it as a significant step in his career, especially with upcoming regulatory changes in the sport.
He will partner with rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, while current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are expected to leave.
20. Gabriel Bortoleto
Bortoleto, the Brazilian driver and reigning Formula 2 champion, will debut in Formula 1 with Kick Sauber in 2025.
He has signed a multi-year contract, partnering with veteran Nico Hulkenberg as the team transitions to Audi in 2026.
Bortoleto’s impressive junior career includes back-to-back championships in F3 and F2, making him the first full-time Brazilian driver since Felipe Massa retired in 2017.
Alonso, his manager, has praised him as the best rookie of the incoming class for 2025.
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