While Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile laps with Ferrari have dominated the Formula 1 spotlight, the rest of the grid has been quietly gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying 2025 season. From rookie debuts to team overhauls, the competition outside Maranello is shaping up to be just as intriguing as Ferrari’s quest for dominance.
Rookies on the rise: New blood, big challenges
The 2025 season brings a fresh wave of talent, with rookies like Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) and Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) making their mark during recent Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions. Sauber, on the brink of its transition to Audi in 2026, gave Bortoleto, the reigning Formula 2 champion, valuable track time alongside veteran Nico Hülkenberg. Bortoleto expressed optimism despite challenging wet conditions at Imola:
“Very nice to be back in the car after almost two months. Quite happy with our progress in these two days.”
At Racing Bulls, Hadjar joins a team looking to solidify its position under a new identity, while Yuki Tsunoda begins his fifth season with the Faenza-based squad. Both are eager to prove their mettle in a hyper-competitive midfield.
Red Bull’s gamble: Lawson steps into the lion’s den
Perhaps the most high-stakes move of the offseason comes from Red Bull, where Liam Lawson takes on what is arguably the toughest seat in F1. After Sergio Perez’s underwhelming performance, the team opted to promote Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda, tasking the New Zealander with partnering two-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Lawson, the least experienced driver ever to race for Red Bull’s senior team, is aware of the daunting challenge ahead. The second Red Bull seat has been a notoriously turbulent position since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, with Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Perez all struggling to match Verstappen. Lawson’s early preparation included working closely with Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, as Red Bull molds him into a potential long-term solution.
The pressure is palpable as Lawson and Verstappen prepare to unveil Red Bull’s 2025 livery at the F1 season launch event in London on February 18, followed by pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Haas and Alpine: Building momentum from within
Haas has taken a calculated approach, giving Esteban Ocon his first run in the VF-22 at Jerez after his surprising move from Alpine. Ocon called the session “the best test day I’ve ever done,” highlighting his enthusiasm for this new chapter. Meanwhile, rising star Oliver Bearman also participated, signaling Haas’s commitment to nurturing talent.
Alpine, on the other hand, is doubling down on its internal talent pipeline. Jack Doohan, fresh off his F1 debut in Abu Dhabi, has been busy acclimating to his new role, with simulator work and garage meetings at the Enstone base. The team also brought in Franco Colapinto, who left Williams for a reserve role. Colapinto’s responsibilities include TPC sessions and stepping in should Doohan or Pierre Gasly be unavailable, marking Alpine’s readiness for any curveballs.
Sauber and the Audi connection: A new era begins
Sauber’s preparation for its Audi transformation continues, with Hülkenberg and Bortoleto leading the charge. The team’s decision to combine youthful energy with seasoned expertise is a clear signal of its ambitions for a smooth transition to Audi’s full control in 2026.
The countdown to Bahrain
As teams fine-tune their machines and strategies, all eyes are set on the sole pre-season test in Bahrain (February 26-28) ahead of the season opener in Australia (March 14-16). While Ferrari’s efforts with Hamilton and Charles Leclerc command the headlines, the grid is abuzz with new opportunities, untested partnerships, and bold gambles.
The 2025 F1 season isn’t just about who wins at the front—it’s a battle across every tier of the grid, and the stakes have never been higher.
