Teams rise and fall during the regulation set, but the team that gets it right early on has the biggest advantage. This has significant implications for two decorated senior millennials.
Hamilton is still chasing a record-breaking eighth championship that has eluded him in five years. He’s 41 years old, and this year could decide whether he’ll stick around or call it quits.
And 44-year-old Fernando Alonso, now a double world champion at Aston Martin, is defying the rules of aging to continue performing at this level. But his quest to return to competitive car race-winning ways – he hasn’t won a Grand Prix since 2013 – can’t go on forever. If Aston Martin’s early troubles continue, it could affect their decision on whether to stay or go.
Younger drivers climb
Last season featured a host of new players who now have the opportunity to take things to the next level.
Kimi Antonelli, who made his debut with Mercedes last year at the age of 18, showed flashes of brilliance and inconsistency last season. If Mercedes is as strong as expected this year, they will have a chance to fight for Grand Prix victories and maybe even more.
Isak Hudger, who scored an extraordinary podium with Racing Bulls last year, has been promoted to the senior Red Bull team. Will he fall victim to the curse that has befallen every one of Verstappen’s teammates over the years? Or will he break it?
Haas’s Olli Baermann has edged out his more experienced teammate Esteban Ocon in 2025 and if he continues to impress, that will put him closer to his dream Ferrari seat. Former F2 champion Gabriel Bortoletto, now with Audi, is another to watch.
The only rookie on the grid this year is Arvid Lindblad, who will replace Yuki Tsuda at the Racing Bulls. His team-mate will be Liam Lawson who, like the other drivers, faces an important year proving his worth in the sport after jumping in and out of seats from 2023 onwards.
Global and intra-team turbulence
Recent military strikes by the US and Israel against Iran have led to Iranian retaliation and created turmoil in the region, casting a cloud over the upcoming races on April 12 in Bahrain and April 19 in Saudi Arabia.
It’s a boring situation. But for now, Formula 1 officials say they are not worried and expect to race every weekend.
“Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan, not in the Middle East – those races are not for several weeks,” said a spokesman for F1. “As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with the relevant authorities.”
