2025 Season Overview

Formula One is the pinnacle of motorsports, where attractive, rich guys race and drive in circles in aerodynamic cars worldwide. 2025 will be an interesting year for Formula One, with the new regulations, rookies entering the scene, and the drama that comes with it. 

But first, some background: Formula One started in 1950 with its first race being the British Grand Prix (grand prix meaning any motorsport-related challenge or race). The first constructors championship was held in 1958. Though Formula One was originally centered in Europe, it soon caught the attention of many rich and famous Americans like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Nara Smith, and Camila Cabello.  

Though most might not be caught up on the Formula One (F1) tea, it won’t matter much because the 2025 season comes with many new changes on and off the grid. 

Who makes the changes? The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile). In simple terms, the FIA is the organization that makes and breaks the rules of F1. The changes they made for 2025, though questionable, are calculated. The changes include:

• The fastest Lap points are being taken away, which will be disappointing for some because often those extra points can make all the difference, especially for the less successful teams and drivers. 
• An increase in how many times teams have to field in younger drivers for free practice. The younger drivers in question are the less experienced people from other formulas. The increase in how many times during the F1 season from one to two will give rookies a chance to prove themselves and maybe even compete for a seat. 
• The technical regulations are being reorganized for rule following and reading clarity. The new mechanical regulations coming in 2026 will be mainly on the aerodynamics of the cars and engine tweaks, making for faster more rocket-like cars. 
• DRS (Drag Reduction System) is being taken away. DRS is being replaced with MOM (Manual Override Mode). Though DRS will still be accessible on the car, it won’t be used for overtaking necessarily, it’ll be more for catching up with the car in front. The driver will have to use skill to overtake instead of pure speed. Though the cars haven’t been revealed yet, we can expect drastic changes due to the new drivers and sponsors some teams have, plus the mechanical FIA changes coming in 2025. The grand premiere of the cars will be on February 18th, 2025 at 8:00 pm. 
• Additionally, in an update that was announced on November 25th, the FIA approved GM Cadillac to join F1 and become the 11th team on the grid. GM Cadillac has yet to announce its drivers.

• Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Jack Doohan, and Gabriel Bortoleto are incoming rookies on the grid, and will need to prove that they deserve the seats they earned on the F1 grid. A lot of scrutiny will be on them this coming year. 
• Lando Norris will be busy during break, training for his comeback. Second in the World Championship, he has a chance of getting his first world title this coming year.

As 2024 was my first season watching Formula One, I’m very excited to see how different 2025 will be. With the rookie drivers, car design changes, and drama to come, I will be sat on my couch this coming year cheering for my favorite drivers and team. Formula One is truly the pinnacle of motorsport; the culture and competitiveness is exhilarating.