Formula One Turns 75: What’s Next in the Most Unpredictable Season in Years?

The high-octane, single-seater thrill of Formula One has an estimated fan base of more than 750 million today, but it all began on a blustery May weekend in 1950 at a former British RAF base. The average age of the drivers at Silverstone that day was 39—the starting grid included a Belgian jazz musician, a Swiss baron and a Thai prince. A giant hare damaged one car on the track before Giuseppe Farina won from pole position in an Alfa Romeo.

How Many Races in 2025?

This year, a total of 24 Grand Prix in 21 countries is taking the F1 road show to five continents, from the opening race in Australia in March through the final in Abu Dhabi in December. The F1 roster also has six sprint races, including May’s Grand Prix in Miami for a fourth consecutive season. (This month will also see competitions in Italy, Monaco and Spain.)

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, F1 Group CEO Stefano Domenicali, Sir Jackie Stewart and Mercedes’ George Russell at the Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, Australia, in March / Photo: Getty Images

There are no new circuits this season, but historic venues like Japan’s Suzuka, Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone itself will jostle for position alongside newer circuits such as Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia. 2025 is also the final year of current regulations, first introduced in 2022. So while the cars are similar to last year, teams have refined them to extract maximum performance. Preseason testing suggested they are closer than ever—great news for the spectator!

The drivers may not be as flamboyant as they were 75 years ago, but 2025 has the potential to be a fascinating F1 championship. After a long period of Red Bull dominance, Max Verstappen’s fifth consecutive title charge could be threatened by a resurgent Lando Norris. McLaren claimed the Constructors’ crown in 2024 for the first time in 26 years.

Photo: Courtesy F1 Miami Grand Prix

Ferrari, which just missed out on success last year, now boasts two of the sport’s biggest names behind the wheel. Charles Leclerc lines up alongside Lewis Hamilton—the 40-year-old Brit who quit Mercedes last season and is hoping for a record-breaking eighth Drivers’ championship.

Look Out for Aston Martin

Among the remaining Constructors to watch is Aston Martin. With a struggling Lance Stroll, again partnered by former world champion Fernando Alonso, the team looks like an also-ran on paper.

However, last year, Aston Martin rocked the world of F1 by poaching automotive design guru Adrian Newey from Red Bull. The most successful car designer in F1 history is bound to make an impact but it may be 2026 before his championship-winning flair comes to the fore.

For a 2025 prediction, we asked triple F1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart: “After such a long period of winning, Red Bull could lose out to McLaren. Lewis Hamilton may be 40 but he’s still supremely fit and has a great chance at Ferrari, too.”

2025 Australian Grand Prix winner Lando Norris of McLaren in March / Photo: Getty Images

Oliver Bearman made his F1 debut for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia in 2024, standing in at the last minute for a sick Carlos Sainz. The rookie finished seventh—ahead of Hamilton and Norris. This year he drives for Haas in his maiden championship season.

He told Business Traveler: “I was only 18 at the time, so to get the call-up in Saudi was mind-blowing. This year I will be competing against all my heroes again—Lewis, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso. It will be the most open championship in a long time. I’ll just go out there and do my best, but it’s a dream come true to be in F1.”