Right here’s to a fantastic 2025! I hope you’ve all had a enjoyable finish to final yr, but when not then that is the purpose once we get to look ahead with hope and anticipation that there shall be higher instances forward.
And in step with that theme, I at all times prefer to kick off the New Yr with a set of requests. Consider it like writing a Christmas record to Santa Claus – you understand a whole lot of it is likely to be extremely fanciful, however you may as effectively stick it down anyway…
A reminder to anybody who has not learn one in every of these earlier than, this isn’t a set of predictions, and positively not supposed to be insightful (though go and try final yr’s, as fairly just a few did find yourself coming true). That is only a record of subjects that I want I had the facility to make come true if I used to be in control of the Method 1 world.
THE TOP TWO TEAMS ARE CLOSELY-MATCHED FROM THE START
A yr in the past I wished somebody to problem Crimson Bull, and for almost all of the season we had been fortunate sufficient to have three completely different groups able to placing up a battle – and even comfortably beating Crimson Bull – at particular tracks. However that dominant opening a part of the yr set the tone, each by way of expectations and early curiosity, and in addition in Max Verstappen getting only a bit too far out of attain.
The way in which staff bosses had been speaking by the tip of the season, the entire expectation is for a completely epic yr in 2025, with the highest 4 groups all preventing for the title. However I’ll admit that truly leads me to fret about how disappointing it could be if the fact is completely different.
If one staff simply will get a march on the remaining, even a small one, then others are doubtlessly going to modify full focus to the 2026 laws sooner than normal, and we gained’t see the image closing up via the yr.
So my want is that not less than two groups – any two groups – are preventing it out for wins from the phrase go. That won’t solely be nice to observe, however it would additionally stop both of them getting a frightening lead akin to Verstappen had early on in 2024, in flip conserving the remainder of the highest 4 in contact.
HAMILTON AND FERRARI CLICK
It was in all probability my favourite story of 2024, and we lastly get to see how the Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari partnership will play out.
It had a huge effect on the driving force market chaos that adopted (one other wishlist merchandise from final yr – one which predicted Kimi Antonelli and Ollie Bearman stepping up!) nevertheless it additionally clearly affected each Hamilton and Mercedes at instances, as the 2 sides acknowledged later within the yr.
But regardless of some qualifying struggles, there have been nonetheless a variety of highlights and race performances when Hamilton seemed to be at his finest. And wouldn’t or not it’s nice if there was much more of that in 2025?
In truth, wouldn’t or not it’s nice if Ferrari gives Hamilton with a real title-contending automobile, because it did within the second half of final yr for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz? 2021 was the final time he had one, and it could be large for F1 if the seven-time world champion was in a automobile able to preventing for an eighth crown.
LIAM LAWSON’S REPUTATION HOLDS UP
I’ve written in-depth about how I believe Crimson Bull isn’t studying from the previous or getting essentially the most out of its second automobile, and to that finish, that it dangers hurting Liam Lawson by selling him right away somewhat than Yuki Tsunoda.
There’s no argument about Lawson’s expertise, however Crimson Bull must be affected person whereas he finds his ft. Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Photographs
I don’t thoughts being mistaken, so I both need Lawson to have a extremely good season and show to be the appropriate alternative this yr for Crimson Bull, or I would like there to be sufficient understanding of the state of affairs he has been put in if it doesn’t go effectively.
A great season in a aggressive automobile might be a whole lot of enjoyable to observe too, given his early predilection for getting his elbows out, so I suppose my wishlist consists of me wanting my earlier remark piece to look foolish.
GEORGE RUSSELL REMAINS PUNCHY
The ultimate media day of a 24-race season may have been a little bit of a slog for the paddock in Abu Dhabi, however George Russell injected loads of vitality into it together with his feedback about Max Verstappen following their Qatar run-ins.
A few of it I agreed with, some maybe much less so, however the entire drivers don’t have to love one another, and in my guide they’re greater than welcome to speak up a rivalry.
Now, Mercedes may actually do with offering a extra aggressive automobile so Russell and Verstappen should battle it out on observe extra typically, however I’d additionally like Russell to keep up his conviction into 2025 and never let the low season flip the warmth down too far.
THE GM WHEELS MOVE QUICKLY
One other one alongside the identical traces as final yr, however having eleventh staff approval hasn’t led to a full decision of the state of affairs. Normal Motors/Cadillac/what-was-Andretti continues to be ready for its entry to formally be granted, and that leaves it on the again foot heading into 2025 when it must be working at full capability.
Hopefully there’s an announcement from the FIA in a matter of weeks somewhat than months, and we are able to begin getting excited concerning the countdown to a much bigger grid in 2026.
VEGAS TO CHANGE ITS START TIME
It’s a rollover subject! I wrote it final yr and I’ll write it once more. Simply carry the race begin time a bit earlier within the night. Make it extra smart for these within the stands, these on the East Coast, and, sure, these on the bottom beginning a triple-header that additionally takes in Qatar and Abu Dhabi on the finish of such a protracted season.
If it’s an important race from a championship standpoint, you’re more likely to nonetheless get different audiences tuning in at unusual hours, and if it’s not, the present begin time continues to be removed from excellent for European viewers so that you’re absolutely dropping out both manner.
I nonetheless don’t perceive the way it is smart for anybody to have it so late, particularly with how early the observe now shuts for a assist race too. Let’s maintain it after darkish, however when it’s that bit hotter, and when it fits just about everybody concerned much better.
CARLOS SAINZ GETS AT LEAST ONE BIG RESULT
I completely get the reasoning for Ferrari taking Hamilton, however Carlos Sainz actually can really feel like he was the collateral injury as a result of his performances had been sturdy as soon as once more alongside Leclerc.
The Williams undertaking is an thrilling one, however is targeted on benefiting from the 2026 laws and longer-term objectives. There’s positively extra potential than was proven final yr, however Sainz is likely to be going through a extremely powerful yr after successful a number of races for Ferrari.
The Williams undertaking is a long-term one, however hopefully Sainz will get some type of payoff for his transfer this yr. Steven Tee/Motorsport Photographs
So I’d like him to get only one large excessive level that gives a touch of why the transfer may repay over the approaching years. If the 2025 automobile shouldn’t be a aggressive one, then a shock prime 5 or podium that gives that reminder of how strongly he was performing, and retains motivation excessive forward of the key rule change.
ALPINE GETS A REALITY TV SHOW
It actually does really feel such as you by no means know what’s coming subsequent at Alpine, and that may be from each a very good and unhealthy perspective. Amid the hirings, firings, energy unit program curtailings and Flavio Briatore returnings, there was some sturdy progress with the automobile final yr, and I’m nonetheless massively impressed the staff pulled P6 out of all that.
However I additionally really feel just like the enhancements don’t mechanically imply there shall be stability any further, and I do know we now have Netflix and Drive to Survive but when somebody may simply guarantee there’s a digital camera throughout the darkest corners of Alpine always, that would show to be TV gold.
