F1 news: Five reasons to be excited for the first F1 race of 2025
The 2025 Formula 1 season is upon us, and with it comes a wave of anticipation, drama, and unanswered questions.
From blockbuster team-mate battles to shifting team hierarchies, this season’s opener promises to set the tone for an explosive year.
With a mix of veteran legends, rising stars, and teams looking to stake their claim, the first race will be crucial in revealing who has the upper hand.
Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo gives us five key storylines to watch when the lights go out for the first time this year.
1. Charles Leclerc vs. Lewis Hamilton - who runs Ferrari?
For the first time in his illustrious career, Lewis Hamilton will don Ferrari red.
One big question remains - will he be Ferrari’s undisputed number one, or will Charles Leclerc rise to the challenge?
Leclerc has been the Scuderia’s golden boy since 2019, but with a seven-time world champion now in the garage alongside him, the internal power struggle could be the most fascinating storyline of the season.
Unlike his previous battles against Max Verstappen and Nico Rosberg, Hamilton now faces a young, hungry team-mate with home-turf advantage.
The first race will be our first real look at the pecking order - will Ferrari design the car around Hamilton’s experience, or will Leclerc show that it’s still his team?
The battle for supremacy at Ferrari could be the deciding factor in whether they finally return to title contention or implode under the weight of internal rivalry.
2. Red Bull’s new dynamic - Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson
For the first time in years, Verstappen has a new team-mate in Liam Lawson, and all eyes will be on how the young New Zealander fares against the three-time world champion.
Sergio Perez played the dutiful number two for years, but the Kiwi has made it clear that he’s here to prove himself, not just to support Verstappen.
Red Bull has historically struggled with keeping their second seat stable, and if Lawson delivers strong performances early on, it could create tension within the team.
While the Dutchman remains the clear favourite, a fast, fearless young driver could force Red Bull into uncomfortable decisions down the line.
The opening race will be the first real indicator of whether this pairing is another Verstappen-dominated duo or a legitimate internal fight for supremacy.
READ MORE: F1 news: The FIA clampdown on F1’s ‘flexible wings’ saga explained
3. George Russell leading a rebuilding Mercedes
With Hamilton gone, George Russell finally gets his shot as Mercedes’ leading man, but with great power comes great responsibility.
While Russell has proven his speed and skill, the burden of carrying the Silver Arrows' legacy now falls squarely on his shoulders.
The team is in a transition phase, and Russell will have to balance development with delivering results - something Hamilton mastered over the years.
Can he command the same respect and influence within the team, or will Mercedes begin to look elsewhere if results don’t come quickly?
The first race will be crucial in seeing whether the three-time Grand Prix winner can handle the pressure or if Mercedes’ golden era is officially over.
4. McLaren’s title defence - can they keep the momentum?
After years of rebuilding, McLaren finally reached the pinnacle in 2024, clinching their first championship since their Hamilton era.
But as every champion knows, winning the title is one thing - defending it is another.
With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri proving to be a formidable duo, expectations are sky-high, but staying at the top will require even more from the team.
Red Bull and Ferrari have been working tirelessly to reclaim the throne, and the first race of 2025 will give us a glimpse of whether McLaren have maintained their edge or if last year’s triumph was just a flash in the pan.
If they dominate from the get-go, they’ll set the tone for another championship campaign - if they falter, the competition will smell blood.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: F1 Academy news: 2025 grid expands as Maya Weug returns with Ferrari and Aurelia Nobels stays with PUMA
5. Alpine’s WEC gamble and F1 future
Alpine is taking on a bold challenge in 2025, competing in both Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship (WEC) again, which could either pay off massively or backfire spectacularly.
Their endurance racing ambitions mean their F1 team could struggle for resources and attention, and their performance in the opening race will reveal whether they can handle both after a difficult 2024.
The A424 prototype has already undergone major development in WEC, but will the learnings translate to F1 success?
If Alpine’s F1 season starts with a whimper, questions will be asked about whether they are spreading themselves too thin.
A strong start, however, could prove they have the capacity to compete on multiple fronts and still deliver results.
READ NEXT: Marcus Rashford at Aston Villa: Last chance to revive a stalled career
