Ten days until start of 2025 F1 championship: who will be the favorites?
Yesterday at 03:39 AM
The 2024 season began with Max Verstappen's dominance, but as the year progressed, his rivals closed the gap. The second half of the championship saw four teams—Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes—alternate between being the strongest and the fourth-best, depending on the track layout and weather conditions. This scenario is not far from what the former Haas team principal envisions for the 2025 F1 season. Let's take a look at his thoughts and the teams he considers favorites.
The pre-season tests have recently concluded: three days available for the teams to study the cars and compare the data obtained in the simulator with those coming directly from the track.
Although the performance shown in testing should always be taken with caution, we can make a brief analysis of what we have seen. McLaren has confirmed itself at the 2024 level, and in these first days on track, it has seemed to be the car to beat. Mercedes also appeared to be at a good level. Red Bull looked unsettled and was busy making numerous adjustments in Bahrain, while Ferrari faced some difficulties over the three days of testing, though nothing too concerning given the many changes introduced for this season.
Steiner’s expectations for the 2025 F1 season
According to the former Haas team principal, the upcoming season will not be too different from what we saw in 2024. “We will see the four teams close again,” Steiner explained.
Going into more detail, he shared his thoughts on the favorites. He mentioned Ferrari and McLaren, which start with an advantage due to the way last year ended. This is because they have learned from the data collected in 2024 as well as from the mistakes made. “I think they have understood what the car needs to be fast. It’s not just a matter of downforce but also of car balance, handling, and how they manage all of this. So I think they will be the favorites for me.”
Beyond this, according to Steiner, another important factor is the lineup. At both Red Bull and Mercedes, the more experienced drivers will be paired with rookies. The situation is different for McLaren and Ferrari, where both drivers already have experience. “A rookie is a rookie,” Steiner explained, adding, “Even if it’s a super talented guy, he still has a lot to learn.”
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