This year’s much-anticipated championship kicks off in Australia this Sunday, marking 75 years of Formula 1. And if the pre-season build-up is anything to go by, the drama off the track promises to rival the action on it. From the biggest headlines and team gossip to testing results and predictions, The European’s motoring editor Mark Whitchurch has everything you need to be race-ready this weekend

F1 75 Live: A spectacular 10-team season launch…with boos for Horner

The season’s first big event, F1 75 Live, took over London’s O2 Arena on 18th February. In an event reminiscent of American baseball-style ceremonies, all ten teams revealed their 2025 challengers…some more awkwardly than others. While most stuck to mild updates of their 2024 cars ahead of the major rule changes coming in 2026, the focus was less on the designs and more on the off-track drama.

Comedian Jack Whitehall, hosting the night, delivered his usual sharp humour, with Aston Martin’s Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack frequently the punchline of his jokes. Speaking before the event, he said: “As soon as I heard about F1 75 Live at The O2 I knew I wanted to be involved.

“It promises to be a truly unique show, bringing together the cars and stars of Formula 1 with incredible global musicians and entertainment to celebrate 75 years of this incredible sport. I can’t wait to get on stage and bring the show to everyone at The O2 and those watching at home around the world!”

But the night’s most talked-about moment? The deafening boos for Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner as allegations of alleged inappropriate behaviour continue to cast a shadow over the team. For all the event’s theatrics, it might be remembered more for that moment than for Lewis Hamilton stepping onto a stage in Ferrari red for the first time.

Hamilton’s Ferrari dream begins

The biggest story of the year remains Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari. Since the shock announcement in early 2024, anticipation has been sky-high. Hot on the heels of F1 75 Live, Hamilton arrived at Ferrari’s Maranello HQ, where he has reportedly been living in his luxury motorhome to spend as much time as possible with his new team ahead of pre-season testing in Bahrain.

Pre-season testing: Who’s fast and who’s struggling?

From 26th-28th February, Bahrain hosted F1’s crucial three-day test, where teams got their first real sense of performance. It was also the first chance for the six rookie drivers joining the 2025 grid to show their skills.

Kimi Antonelli, Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes, was the standout, winning 49% of a fan poll. British rookie Ollie Bearman highlighted a ‘weak point’ in his Haas, while Liam Lawson remained upbeat despite early issues with Red Bull’s RB21. Elsewhere, Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan (son of five-time 500cc Motorcycle World Champion Mike Doohan), and Isack Hadjar maximised their track time in Bahrain’s unusually cool conditions.

Ferrari may have been sandbagging, but McLaren looked strong. Coming off their 2024 Constructors’ Championship win, pundits tipped them as the team to beat, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri consistently topping the timesheets.

Williams also showed promise, with data indicating major gains over the winter. The addition of Carlos Sainz, now fully integrated into the team after losing his Ferrari seat, has raised hopes that Williams could climb the rankings in 2025.

Hamilton’s Ferrari tenure started well, despite a technical issue preventing him from completing a full race simulation. He still set the second-fastest time of the test, later saying: “I would say this is the most positive feeling that I’ve had in a long time.”

Aston Martin’s high-profile £30 million-per-year signing of Adrian Newey has yet to pay dividends. The team finished ninth in the mileage charts, plagued by small technical issues across the three days. While Fernando Alonso was optimistic about the car’s improved driveability, Lance Stroll’s absence on the final day due to illness didn’t help their cause.

Meanwhile, Red Bull didn’t look its dominant self. Though they ranked third overall in performance, they failed to complete a full race simulation and logged the fewest laps of any team. Verstappen found his rhythm on the final day, but the RB21 still appears to have a narrow operating window.

Drive to Survive reignites off-track drama

Just as the dust (or sand) settled from testing, Netflix reignited the off-track drama with Season 7 of Drive to Survive, launching on 7th March. The series, credited with F1’s soaring popularity, delivers its usual mix of high-stakes racing and soap opera-style storytelling.

Hamilton’s Ferrari move takes centre stage, from Toto Wolff’s reaction to the bombshell news to his admission: “I promised Lewis not to talk to Max, but I will have the conversation now!”—a conversation that ultimately led to Kimi Antonelli landing the Mercedes seat.

Carlos Sainz’s F1 future also gets the Drive to Survive treatment. With interest from Alpine and Kick Sauber, the Spaniard ultimately signed with Williams, reportedly influenced by F1 heavyweight Flavio Briatore.

Other highlights include Charles Leclerc’s emotional home victory in Monaco, finally overcoming years of disappointment to fulfil his late father’s dream: “I definitely did not only realise my dream, but my father’s dream.”

The series also gives fans an inside look at the daily life of F1 drivers, particularly in Singapore, where Netflix phones captured everything from breakfast choices to candid pre-race chats with Leclerc, Norris, and Russell. In modern F1, the pressure isn’t just on the track—drivers are now expected to ‘bare all’ for the cameras.

The race for Red Bull’s second seat also fuels the drama. With Sergio Perez struggling, Daniel Ricciardo was desperate for a comeback, but the team ultimately chose Liam Lawson. How will that pairing shake out? We’ll soon find out.
Of course, the most talked-about moment arrives early in Drive to Survive, as the allegations against Christian Horner take centre stage. However, notable storylines, such as Adrian Newey’s move to Aston Martin and Ollie Bearman’s Ferrari cameo in Saudi Arabia, were curiously left on the cutting room floor.


Predictions for 2025?

So, who’s the team to beat?

McLaren looks like serious contenders. Coming off a strong 2024 and retaining their talented driver pairing, they’re in a prime position to fight for the title.

Ferrari has the dream team. With an entirely new front suspension and an already-strong 2024 car, the Leclerc-Hamilton duo could be the most formidable on the grid. Many fans are hoping Hamilton claims his eighth World Championship in scarlet red, finally erasing the controversy of Abu Dhabi 2021.

I’d like to see Williams cement their place in the mid-pack and with a name like Aston Martin and the World Champion credentials of Fernando Alonso, surely the team in green can make good on Lawrence Stroll’s investments.

Red Bull remains a threat. Despite off-season turbulence, Verstappen’s relentless drive means they can’t be ruled out. If their engineers unlock the RB21’s potential, they could still dominate.

With less than a week until lights out in Melbourne, only one thing is certain – this season is shaping up to be an unmissable battle on and off the track.

Mark Whitchurch is a seasoned motoring journalist whose work—covering road tests, launch reports, scenic drives, major races, and event reviews—has appeared in The Observer, Daily Telegraph, Bristol Evening Post, Classic & Sports Car Magazine, Mini Magazine, Classic Car Weekly, AutoCar Magazine, and the Western Daily Press, among others. He won the Tourism Malaysia Regional Travel Writer of the Year in 2003 and is a member The Guild of Motoring Writers.

Photos, courtesy Pexels/Pixaby