The 2025 Formula 1 season will bring significant changes to the driver line-ups and the race calendar, promising a thrilling year for fans. The season will feature a record 24 races for the second consecutive year, kicking off in Melbourne, Australia, on March 16. This marks the first time since 2019 that Albert Park will host the season opener. Due to Ramadan in March, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which traditionally hosted the opening races, will now take place in April—on April 13 and April 20, respectively.
The season will run into December, with the final race in Abu Dhabi on December 7. This marks the end of the current generation of cars and engines, as a major overhaul is set for 2026. Additionally, there will be six Sprint weekends, where a 100km Saturday race takes place. In 2025, Belgium will replace Austria as a Sprint venue, alongside established locations like China, Miami, Austin, Brazil, and Qatar.
One of the biggest storylines of the season is Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari, marking one of the most notable driver transfers in F1 history. Red Bull Racing is also facing uncertainty regarding Sergio Perez’s future, despite his contract extension earlier in 2024. This season, only three teams—McLaren, Aston Martin, and Alpine—will maintain their line-ups from the previous year.
The 2025 season will kick off with an exclusive event at the O2 in London on February 18, followed by pre-season testing in Bahrain from February 26-28. The race calendar includes iconic venues like Monaco, Silverstone, and Suzuka, along with new challenges like the Las Vegas Grand Prix. As for the driver line-ups, significant shifts are taking place: McLaren retains Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Ferrari welcomes Hamilton alongside Charles Leclerc, and Mercedes introduces George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Other teams, including Red Bull, Aston Martin, and Williams, are also making changes. Fans can catch all 24 race weekends live on Sky Sports F1.
