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.

Good evening all, Happy New Year and New Season.
I'm looking forward to it. Hamilton in a Ferrari is such an interesting perspective.
The Papaya boys will hopefully keep on going.
Sainz and Albon seem like a good combination for Williams.
A decent handful of mostly rookies.
Should be good.

Prospect! Sorry, I can't edit on the android app.
DS is a huge RB fan first and foremost, since Sebs days, but loves Max too, so is rather annoying 😑
He is 18 next summer, and 2026 is Zandvoort's last season, so we are hoping to go for his birthday. We have only ever done Silverstone, so a different track would be fabulous

I loved that the Sky F1 channel was Sky Darts over the Christmas and NY period but I'm delighted to turn it on tonight to catch Ted doing his notebook from the paddock of the Australian GP last year...only a very short time to go until we're back in Melbourne.

Are there any Australian MNetters who will be going to the race? Anyone in Melbourne who hates F1 and is pissed that it disrupts their life - if so, how does it disrupt things?

Thanks so much for all the suggestions guys - will be getting planning soon!

News Update:
Franco Colapinto has been released by Williams and signed for Alpine as their reserve driver. Ryo Hirakawa has also been signed as a reserve driver and they already have Paul Aron.

Some commentators are suggesting Jack Doohan may only have a contract for the first six races. That would be a typical Flávio hedging his bets move.

It’s interesting as in year driver changes, except for injury, were fairly unusual with RB an exception.

Well Lewis clearly means business and there is already a meme - I wonder if that’s from Liam with his love of Cars the movie.

That is so funny.

I can only hope they improve their pit stops so they are as quick and reliable as Guido!

@Brazilianadventure I love the first picture of Lewis, he looks amazing! Who are you rooting for? I'm a Lewis, Fernando and Carlos fan (in that order)

Not sure I've ever used the word before, but the photo is iconic. Lewis back to his best this year then.

@purplespink I am realistic that it will take time to settle in but I want Lewis to do well. Ideally to get DWC No 8 in the next few years and retire.

I definitely want Carlos to do well, I’m interested to see how the rookies get on, particularly Ollie Bearman. I want McLaren, Ferrari and Merc to take the fight to RB.

Whilst my prediction last year of a fist fight between Ocon and Gasly 😂 didn’t materialise, I think Liam and Max could be a challenging dynamic to manage but exciting to watch.

Like 2024 I want a lot of different winners.

I think that Max and Liam will be a really good match. I don't like Red Bull or Max (although he's undeniably insanely talented) but I am intrigued by Liam and was very impressed with him last year. I'm surprised that Hulkenburg survived for another season when so many didn't.

Hulkenburg is a grown up, consistent, reliable, clean, drags a performance out of a car and has been quicker than most of his teammates. I suspect he gives good feedback to the mechanics. He was thinking ahead and signed early last year, if he hadn’t done that I think he could have been out.

However, he is nearing the end of his career and I would like him to get just one podium.

I've just read that Angela Cullen is in Fiorano

Someone far more observant on social media pointed out that in the photo that was released yesterday, there were 7 windows and one door and they surmised that it was a nod to the 7 WDC that he has already won and a door that would lead to his 8th and possibly more....

I'm not sure I'm buying it but I do like it!

@LookItsMeAgain Ive seen that too. I think coincidence.

I did laugh at the photos with Fred in trainers and Lewis looking so smart.

@StarCourt I hope it’s true, but it does make me wonder what really happened as her departure was so sudden.

I don't think the windows were a coincidence, from memory the house is symmetric, a decision was made to frame the house in that way and it's the same in the photo from the other angle. A lot of thought went into that image, they knew it was important.

There were papped photos of Lewis in arrivals with a trolley of suitcases the day before which were also clearly planned - he has his own plane, I doubt he's usually pushing the luggage trolley or going through public arrivals. It was a clear message that he wasn't just flying in and out for the day, he's committing.

Angela was employed by Merc rather than Lewis wasn't she? So I assume it was something to do with Merc not wanting to pay her and Lewis not wanting her to be contractually bound to them any more. Good to see her back.

Christ, I think I might be a Lewis fan, the things you don't see coming in middle age. 😂

I'm delighted Angela is back. They always worked so well together

@BarbaraHoward Very interesting if it was on purpose. I agree the photos were staged but I thought it was to get the Ferrari in.

I thought Lewis had sold his plane to be more eco friendly. It doesn’t mean he hasn’t bought another one or taken a charter which he seems to do regularly. I agree the luggage shot was planned and it looks like he has a base in Italy.

I did wonder if Carlos might let him stay in his apartment😂

Those posed photos of Lewis are hilarious, some really nice ones of him meeting the team. Much more real.
25 season is interesting. I would love a Williams resurgence, but that might need another year or 2, McLaren are my second team, so I would like them to continue, and Lando needs a title.
Not sure about Lawson and Max dynamic

I love the pictures of Lewison his first day. I also love that he made such an effort with his clothes. I think it shows how big a deal this is to him.

Do we know for sure that Angela is re-joining him? I do hope so.

Yes I've seen it mentioned by reputable accounts on Twitter this afternoon.

This has surprised me, last week Angela and Lewis posted photos of themselves skiing wearing red ski-wear, Angela's photo had a 44 in the background and the rumours started, but they were actually in different countries not together, then Kym Illman made a youtube video asking if she was going to be working for Lewis again and today its been reported by 'sources' that she is.

Reason I'm surprised is that she was with Marcus Armstrong quite recently when he was giving an interview and he said she loved Indycar and everyone loved her.

Sky reporting Angela is back. Plus first pic of Lewis in red.

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13293699/lewis-hamilton-angela-cullen-returning-to-seven-time-f1-world-champions-team-ahead-of-ferrari-debut

I only hope his performance on track lives up to the quality of the PR so far.

I'm so glad that Angela is back! She really helps keep him grounded and focussed.

I love the pic of Lewis in red, though I also find it disconcerting.

There you go! 🏎