The wait is over, it's race week! -Formula 1 2025

Yes!! My Formula 1 withdrawals are finally over and I can start getting my fix again. It's been a cold dark winter break, but the beautiful sunny skies and warm Australian weather are on the horizon. So, how do we start off this season? How about some pre-season predictions? Let's get to it....

Courtesy of F1

1. Williams places 5th

   With the new driver pairing of Albon and Sainz, and more importantly that the engineers look to have found not only some additional performance in pre-season testing, but how to make it thru the turns faster, 5th overall is well within reason. It's the final year of this car regulation, but Williams look to be headed towards the front end of the mid field.

   
   

2. Ferrari win Constructors

   Ok, so everyone and their mothers are picking McLaren to be strongest out the gate, and Lando to get his first Driver's Championship. While I do think Lando beats Verstappen for the title, I'm giving my preseason bet for constructors to Ferrari. Both McLaren and Ferrari have the best driver's line ups on the grid, but I give the edge this year to Ferrari. Hamilton has found his spark again with new red track suit, and the synergy between he and LeClerc give the edge to Ferrari. Piastri and Norris not only have to continue to learn to be supportive of each other, but Stella and Brown have to set the tone and expectations from the get go. So I'm leaning towards Ferrari for the win.

   
   

3. Mercedes takes 3rd

   Sorry Red Bull fans, but this just won't be your year. Not only is Verstappen going to relinquish his choke hold on the Driver's championship, but the team's downward trend continues. I see Mercedes placing 3rd after McLaren and ultimate winners Ferrari. Yes Kimi Antonelli is a rookie, and Liam Lawson is a rookie with a half a season of experience. However, the Red Bull car in pre season testing didn't look like it made much gains from last year, and being Verstappen's teammate ain't no picnic. Mercedes on the other hand appear to have hit the ground running and in good form. Speaking of form, Antonelli was impressive, and the most impressive of all this season's rookies. The environment at Mercedes this season is a world better than the one next door at Red Bull and it's going to show in team results.

   
   

4. Kimi Antonelli first of the rookies to reach the podium

   While I think it's too big a stretch to bet on him winning a race this season, I don't think it's as big a stretch to predict a podium finish for the young Italian. The youngest driver in the field is fast, and if the car performs as well as it looks to, Mercedes long term bet is going to pay off in the short term. Focus will be the main ingredient this season for both Russell and Antonelli, and if they get it right, Antonelli is a not so dark horse podium bet for each and every race if the car is performing well.

   
   

5. Aston Martin joins the back of the pack as the also rans....till mid season

   With health issues for the drivers not helping out in pre season testing, the Aston Martin team certainly didn't make any believers based on car performance alone. The Adrian Newey effect won't be felt until about mid season as what I'm sure will be when a fair share of upgrades are introduced. Newey didn't "officially" start until just this month for Aston Martin, and Stroll and Alonso are going to need some mid season Newey tweaks to get back on track and fighting towards the front of the midfield. They finished 5th in 2024, and I'd put them more at 6th or 7th for 2025.

   
   

   It's going to be an exciting year, and I think it's going to be even more so than 2024 which was stellar all the way down to the final race. The wait is over, let's go racing!