F1 2025 - Watchalong Thread

[Brazilianadventure]

Happy New Year.

We start with the first all teams season launch on 18 February. Ferrari reveal their 2025 car the day after.

Pre season testing will take place on 26 to 28 February in Bahrain. Australia will host the opening race on Sunday March 16th.

Lewis currently has the fastest lap of the race so hopefully your theory about him trying to hard @Brazilianadventure is correct and he'll figure it out.

This is a much better race! I went to the loo and came back shocked to see Russell was in 20th. Very relieved that it is just the transformer.

If Norris gets 3rd he will retain his lead, if he is 4th Piastri will take the lead.

George is defending really intelligently,

Well done Piastri, perfect race. Good result for Ferrari’s. Ollie Bearman P10 from P20 he is doing really well.

Will George keep his place do we think?

Not sure, he could get a 5 second penalty but he didn't gain an advantage.

Hulk has apparently been disqualified for plank wear - this maybe a reoccurring theme this season.

No news on George, I hope he keeps second

Russell avoids a penalty, seems fair.

I’m pleased with that, it does seem fair.

Definitely fair. From seeing the interview George said he closed it immediately and slowed down so there was definitely no advantage,

Could have been a different result if Lando didn't have that 5 second penalty for being over the front of his grid box at the start as reported by Max. Speaking of which, I'm speculating he'll go to AM next year or the year after (Max not Lando).

According to Ted's notebook Max's manager was shouting and basically having a go at Helmut the harsh at the end of the race and then stormed off.

Max to AM is interesting. I would want to see the new reg cars from 2026 before moving.

Lewis’ post race interview was interesting he was explaining how different the Ferrari is to drive. They have different breaks and use engine breaking.

I always thought 2025 was about learning Ferrari and getting comfortable ready for 2026.

@Brazilianadventure this is what I've been trying to explain to people at work who are delighted Lewis isn't doing well. 2026 will be the season to watch him.
Agree with the decision re George. Very fair.

I would ask them how long would it take them to get used to a car if the accelerator and break pedals were swapped.

There is a reason why both right and left handed cars have them in the same order.

@Brazilianadventure It's that what winter testing is for?

Winter testing is limited. To reprogram your muscle memory for driving at high speed subjected to g force in a highly stressful environment is going to take a long time.

Just look at Carlos - he is doing the same progression as Lewis.

Can I ask; as it stands, which drivers would you rule out from this year’s championship based on cars/points?

Ooh that’s hard

I think it’s easier to list those I think could based on 4 races.

I think it’s between
Lando
Oscar
George

Max will grind out results and with consistency could win it.

Remote possibility if future upgrades work
Charles
Lewis

Very remote chance - Kimi - depending on his rate of development.

So out are:
Pierre
Jack
Fernando
Lance
Nico
Gabriel
Liam
Yuki
Estaban
Izack
Ollie
Alex
Carlos

Over to you @purplespink who do you think?
We can review at mid season break

Kimi will have an amazing rookie year but won’t win the drivers championship. I think he might get on the podium this year and be a contender in the next 2.

I’m worried about Lawson, he is not performing well and Red Bull have shown they are ruthless. I hope they give him the rest of the season to regain his confidence.

Piastri is so cool, calm and collected. An iceman in comparison with Max.

Both Lando and Piastri make mistakes but I am willing to bet Piastri will make fewer over the course of the season and I think he is going to win it because he has the mental toughness.

That’s a great breakdown @Brazilianadventure. If, and it’s a big if, Red Bull can find the magic touch that McLaren have, I think Max is still within a chance, despite his recent comments about not having a chance. I think that points wise, anyone above Antonelli is within a chance (because as much as I love Lewis, this isn’t his year). That leaves: Leclerc, Russell, Verstallen, Piastri and Norris. As it stands, I don’t think that the merc drivers have a chance simply because the car doesn’t have the pace to beat the McLarens. Ferrari isn’t good enough as it stands either and I find them frustrating strategically. I would say that it’ll be Max, Oscar or Lando. Out of those three, I’d root for Oscar as I personally think that he has more ‘natural’ talent than Lando. I agree with @JamesWebbSpaceTelescopethat Antonelli will have a great rookie year but doesn’t have a chance to win this year. So, I’d say the following drivers are out:

Lewis (😭)
Kimi
Alex
Esteban
Lance
Pierre
Nico
Ollie
Yuki
Isaac
Carlos (😭)
Fernando(😭)
Liam
Jack
Gabriel

@purplespink Good reasoning I can see Oscar being ahead of Lando. I also agree with the 😭 for Lewis, Carlos and Fernando.

I think McLaren will retain the constructors championship.

Both EJ and Bernie said a few months back that they think Max will win this year - its early days and it would be unusual for them both to be wrong.

Although Kym Illman thinks Oscar for the WDC (goes to check odds) and he currently seems to be the bookies favourite at Oddschecker, so I'm going with Oscar.

I think McLaren will will the constructors championship. On current form I'd say Oscar will win drivers championship.

However if the McLaren's keep swapping wins neither will get maximum points so Verstappen will probably win