Action-packed F1 season openers predict exciting prospects for 2025 season

After years of Red Bull dominance, the early stages of the 2025 Formula 1 season suggest that the Red Bull reign may be coming to an end. McLaren have emerged as the team to beat after securing victories in both the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix. With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri each claiming a win, the team now lead both the Driver’s and Constructors’ Championships, raising the question: is the Red Bull era over?

Red Bull have been a domineering force in F1 over the last few years, delivering one of the most dominant campaigns in history in 2023 when they won 21 out of 22 races. Max Verstappen has won four consecutive World Driver Championships, and was expecting to be looking for his fifth. Yet, after two races this season, it appears that this superiority may no longer be guaranteed.

Red Bull’s struggles extend beyond an inferior car to their second driver: rookie Liam Lawson

McLaren’s success this season is not solely down to the pace of the car, but also their drivers’ ability to perform in different circumstances. Norris’ win at Albert Park saw him fending off Verstappen amidst the chaos of an aborted start, three safety cars and rainy conditions. In Shanghai, Piastri led Norris to a McLaren 1-2 after he started on pole and maintained his position until the end.

However, Red Bull’s struggles extend beyond an inferior car to their second driver: rookie Liam Lawson. The New Zealand driver has struggled since taking the second Red Bull seat, despite his stint driving for their sister team (known as VCARB) last season when he replaced Daniel Ricciardo. In Australia, he qualified 18th before crashing out of the race, and qualified last in China for both the sprint race and the grand prix, before finishing 14th and 12th respectively.

While McLaren and Red Bull have stolen the headlines, Mercedes have quietly positioned themselves as contenders in the wake of Lewis Hamilton’s departure. George Russell’s two third-place finishes have kept the team second in the Constructors’ Championship, but Russell has already expressed concerns about their advantage over the field. Following the opening race, Russell said that the McLaren car is “capable of winning every race“.

After years of predictability, the 2025 F1 season has started with a much-needed shake up

Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has had a rocky start. The Scuderia made strategic errors in Australia, leaving their drivers out in the rain and out of the top six. After Hamilton’s first win in red at the sprint race in China, both Ferrari cars were later disqualified from the feature race for technical infringements and Ferrari are yet to show sign of a sustained title challenge.

With six rookies joining the grid this year, Liam Lawson is not the only new driver to face a steep learning curve. RB’s other driver, Isack Hadjar spun out on the formation lap of the Australian GP, and Alpine’s Jack Doohan crashed on the opening lap.

As the paddock heads to Japan for the third race weekend of the season, the question remains: can McLaren sustain their early dominance? One thing is certain- after years of predictability, the 2025 F1 season has started with a much-needed shake up.