Formula 1 2025: New Rules, McLaren Rising, Hamilton In Ferrari Red

by Alexandra Mansilla

Formula 1 2025: New Rules, McLaren Rising, Hamilton In Ferrari Red

28 Jul 2025

The 2025 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic in recent history. Sweeping rule changes will affect how teams approach their strategies, while big shifts in the driver line-up, including Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari, add fresh intrigue. McLaren’s return to the top, the arrival of a new rookie generation, and the longest calendar the sport has ever seen all set the stage for a year of surprises. And with Formula 1 celebrating its 75th anniversary, the season finale in Abu Dhabi promises to be more than just another race — it’s set to be a defining moment for the sport.

75th Anniversary

Since the very first World Championship race at Silverstone in 1950, the sport has grown from a handful of European Grands Prix into a global phenomenon spanning every continent. The anniversary is a reminder of the legends, rivalries, and innovations that have shaped F1 into the pinnacle of motorsport. From Juan Manuel Fangio to Ayrton Senna, from Michael Schumacher to Lewis Hamilton, each era has pushed the limits of what is possible on four wheels.

Rules change

For 2025, Formula 1 has introduced a set of rule changes aimed at safety, fairness, and giving younger talent more chances to shine. The fastest lap point has been scrapped, which will force teams to rethink their race strategies, especially in the closing stages of a Grand Prix. Cars are now heavier, with a new minimum weight of 800 kg, while the driver allowance has been raised to 82 kg to better account for different body types. To address extreme conditions, the new “Heat Hazard” rule requires cars to run cooling systems in particularly hot races, adding extra kilograms of weight depending on the session. Testing opportunities for current race drivers are more limited, ensuring a level playing field, while rookies must now be given additional FP1 sessions — making the path to F1 experience more structured. On the technical side, stricter checks on aerodynamics, including tougher wing flex tests and updated DRS regulations, aim to curb performance loopholes.

Lewis Hamilton. Source: ferrari.com

Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari

Perhaps the most talked-about story of 2025 is Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. After more than a decade with Mercedes, the seven-time world champion begins a new chapter with the Scuderia — a team steeped in history but desperate for a return to dominance. For Hamilton, it’s both a fresh challenge and a chance to cement his legacy by bringing Ferrari back to the top of the sport.

McLaren back on top

After 26 years without a Constructors’ Championship, the team finally returned to the summit, thanks to the consistency and skill of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Their triumph showed that McLaren is once again a force to be reckoned with, capable of challenging Red Bull and Mercedes at the very front. Norris came close to dethroning Max Verstappen for the Drivers’ Championship, but the Dutchman held firm to secure his fourth consecutive title. This sets up 2025 as a fascinating duel: McLaren eager to prove that 2024 was not a one-off, and Verstappen determined to extend his dominance. For fans, it means every race will carry the potential for a Norris vs. Verstappen showdown, while Piastri continues to grow as one of the brightest young stars on the grid.

Instagram: @mclaren

The long road ahead

The 2025 calendar will be the longest in Formula 1 history, with 24 races spread across 21 countries. For teams, drivers, and fans, this means an unprecedented test of endurance and consistency. Australia opened the season in March, returning as the curtain-raiser for the first time since 2019, and the journey will take the paddock across every continent before concluding in Abu Dhabi in December. Such a packed schedule demands new levels of logistical planning and physical resilience, pushing drivers to their limits both on and off the track. Fans, too, will be treated to a global spectacle, as the season travels from iconic venues like Silverstone and Monza to newer destinations such as Las Vegas and Qatar. The length and variety of the calendar ensure that adaptability will be key — those who can maintain performance across different climates, time zones, and track types will rise to the top.

Rookies everywhere

One of the defining features of the 2025 season will be the influx of fresh talent. Six rookies will line up on the grid, making it one of the biggest rookie waves in years. Oliver Bearman joins Haas after impressing as a stand-in driver in 2024; Liam Lawson steps up full-time at Red Bull, facing the daunting challenge of competing alongside Max Verstappen; Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto earns his place with Sauber; runner-up Isack Hadjar joins Racing Bulls; teenage sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli takes the coveted Mercedes seat vacated by Hamilton; and Jack Doohan finally makes his long-awaited debut with Alpine.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 Fireworks

Season finale in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has established itself as one of the most iconic events on the Formula 1 calendar, and 2025 will mark its 17th edition. Once again, Yas Marina Circuit will host the season finale, taking place from December 4 to 7. Over the years, this twilight race has provided some of the sport’s most dramatic finishes, with championships won and lost under the floodlights.

by Alexandra Mansilla