After a long wait, the start of the 2025 F1 season has arrived. And what better way to kick off a season full of uncertainties than with the 2025 Australian GP? But what can we expect this season? Keep reading to discover the top storylines ahead of this exciting race weekend.
A F1 Grid Packed with Rookies
One of the biggest talking points leading up to the new season has been the announcement of six rookies joining the F1 starting lineup. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen so many new faces making their debut as full-time F1 drivers. If we count only those starting a season as official drivers, the total is six—though Liam Lawson and Ollie Bearman have already raced in F1 Grands Prix before.
The 2025 F1 rookies:
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli
- Liam Lawson
- Oliver Bearman
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Jack Doohan
- Isack Hadjar
While this might seem like an exciting time, many of these rookie drivers face serious challenges. Antonelli is stepping into the seat left by one of the greatest F1 drivers in history, Sir Lewis Hamilton, at Mercedes—a team that has enjoyed success in recent years but has lost some of its competitive edge.
History shows that these situations are rarely ideal for rookie F1 drivers, as F1 teams can be extremely demanding.
Doohan seemed to have a clear path to an enjoyable rookie year, but constant rumors of a potential swap with Franco Colapinto put added pressure on him. His contract currently guarantees him only six races.
Meanwhile, Liam Lawson already has some F1 race experience, but he’s stepping into a team that is known for being ruthless with its drivers—Red Bull. The team will be looking to shift attention away from the Horner scandals, the possible departure of Max Verstappen to Aston Martin in 2026, and last season’s disappointing car performance.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull
Is Max Verstappen entering his final season with Red Bull? Rumors keep circulating, but nothing is confirmed. His contract ties him to the Austrian team until 2028, but Aston Martin is reportedly willing to pay his release clause, which could reunite him with Adrian Newey and see him team up with two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso.
Midfield Shake-Up
This season is set to be thrilling for the midfield, with many changes. Several F1 teams have new F1 drivers in their cars—Alpine, Haas, Williams, and Racing Bulls will all feature fresh faces.
Haas showed signs of improvement last year, with strong performances from both of its drivers. Meanwhile, Williams, with the arrival of Carlos Sainz, hopes to dominate the midfield battle. Sainz joins a Williams F1 team that proved to be fast last year but struggled with car issues, a limited budget, and driver errors, leading to a lower-than-expected finish in the F1 standings.
Stay tuned to F1SN for more 2025 Australian GP F1 updates!