By Joe Murphy
Infamously, although with logic, the writer who once penned that Max wouldn’t surpass one Word Title, is now writing he will claim his fifth in a row next year.
Predicting the winner of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship is, of course, speculative, but based on current trends and data, we can make an educated guess.
Max Verstappen remains the likely favourite.
Partly, this is because Red Bull has been the dominant team in F1 since the introduction of the new regulations in 2022, and their performance is expected to remain strong in 2025. Whilst a fade in 2025 was inevitable and a third place constructors finish was a disappointment, the team’s innovative approach to aerodynamics, coupled with their solid power unit and race strategies, has kept them winning races. Whilst not as dominant as before, the team can still develop one of the most competitive cars on the grid, showing an ability to adapt quickly to changes in regulations. Even with Liam Lawson taking time to settle now he’s replaced Sergio Perez, this shouldn’t be a problem for the Dutchman’S prospects.
Max Verstappen’s driving talent has been indisputable over the last few seasons. He has displayed not only blistering pace but also remarkable consistency and mental strength, qualities that are essential for long-term championship success. By 2025, Verstappen will be in the prime of his career, and given his performance trajectory, he is likely to be even more formidable.
Moreover, Red Bull is known for its team stability, and Verstappen has established a strong working relationship with the engineers, particularly in terms of car setup and race strategies. His ability to extract the maximum from the car, even in challenging conditions, makes him the most well-rounded driver on the grid.
While Verstappen is the clear favorite, there are several strong contenders who could challenge for the 2025 title:
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): By 2025, Ferrari is expected to have made significant strides in making a title winning car. Leclerc has the raw talent and racing intelligence to challenge Verstappen, but Ferrari’s ability to develop a competitive car will be key. If the SF-25 is a contender, Leclerc could very well fight for the title. With Lewis Hamilton set to spur the man from Monaco on, perhaps it’s his time. After all, he did attain the most points of anyone in the latter part of the 2024 season, so why shouldn’t that form continue?
George Russell cannot be discounted. Mercedes have been a close competitor to Red Bull in the past, and by 2025, they could have a car capable of winning races consistently. Russell has proven his ability to challenge the top drivers. Mercedes’ engineering resources could see them mount a strong challenge for the championship.
Lando Norris is perhaps the clear challenger, if 2024 is anything to go by. McLaren are Constructors Champions, and if they can continue to emulate this performance, Norris could go all the way. He has won multiple Grand Prix, he has got Pole Positions, he is no longer a young and inexperienced driver, he is set to be the real deal. Maybe 2025 could be the year for Lando.
Whilst the 2025 season will likely see some intense battles between Verstappen and the other top drivers, it’s still difficult to look past Max Verstappen for the World Championship.
However, if teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, or McLaren manage to close the gap further in terms of consistency, as drivers have started to do, Verstappen may face a tougher challenge. Still, unless there’s a major disruption or technical issues with Red Bull’s package, Max Verstappen remains the most probable winner of the 2025 F1 World Championship.
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