The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to feature significant driver lineup changes across multiple teams, promising an exciting and dynamic championship.
**Ferrari**
One of the most notable moves is Lewis Hamilton’s transition from Mercedes to Ferrari. The seven-time World Champion joins the Scuderia on a two-year contract, partnering with Charles Leclerc. Hamilton will continue racing with his iconic number 44, a number he has been associated with since his karting days.
**Mercedes**
With Hamilton’s departure, Mercedes has promoted 18-year-old Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli to race alongside George Russell. Antonelli, a Mercedes protégé since he was 11, spent just one season in Formula 2 before making the jump to F1.
**Red Bull Racing**
Red Bull has also made significant adjustments, bringing in 22-year-old Liam Lawson to partner with reigning World Champion Max Verstappen. Lawson replaces Sergio Pérez, whose performance in the previous season did not meet the team’s expectations.
**Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri)**
Yuki Tsunoda continues with the team for his fifth campaign, joined by newcomer Isack Hadjar. Hadjar, 20, was runner-up in the previous year’s Formula 2 championship and is expected to bring fresh talent to the team.
**McLaren**
McLaren retains its lineup with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, both under long-term contracts. The team heads into the new campaign as constructors’ champions for the first time in 26 years, aiming to build on their recent success.
**Aston Martin**
The lineup remains unchanged, with two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll continuing their partnership. The team aims to build on their previous successes with this experienced duo.
**Alpine**
Alpine welcomes Australian driver Jack Doohan to race alongside Frenchman Pierre Gasly. Doohan, son of motorcycle legend Mick Doohan, faces a pivotal season as he steps up to a full-time F1 seat.
**Haas**
Haas introduces a fresh lineup with Frenchman Esteban Ocon and 19-year-old Briton Oliver Bearman. Ocon joins after four seasons with Alpine, while Bearman impressed last season with stand-in appearances, earning him a full-time seat.
**Sauber (transitioning to Audi)**
Sauber fields an all-new lineup with veteran Nico Hülkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto. Bortoleto, a 20-year-old Brazilian, clinched the Formula 2 title in 2024, signaling a fresh start for the team ahead of its transition to Audi.
**Williams**
Carlos Sainz joins Williams alongside Alex Albon, following Sainz’s departure from Ferrari to make way for Hamilton. While podium prospects may be limited, this pairing brings experience and potential to the team.
These lineup changes reflect strategic decisions by teams to enhance performance and competitiveness in the upcoming season. The 2025 season promises to deliver thrilling competitions and intriguing team dynamics, with fans eagerly anticipating the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne on March 16, where the new driver configurations will debut.
