Right here’s to an ideal 2025! I hope you’ve all had a enjoyable finish to final 12 months, but when not then that is the purpose after we get to look ahead with hope and anticipation that there might be higher occasions forward.
And in step with that theme, I at all times wish to kick off the New Yr with a set of requests. Consider it like writing a Christmas checklist to Santa Claus – you realize quite a lot of it could be extremely fanciful, however you would possibly as properly stick it down anyway…
A reminder to anybody who has not learn one in all these earlier than, this isn’t a set of predictions, and definitely not supposed to be insightful (though go and take a look at final 12 months’s, as fairly just a few did find yourself coming true). That is only a checklist of subjects that I want I had the facility to make come true if I used to be answerable for the Method 1 world.
THE TOP TWO TEAMS ARE CLOSELY-MATCHED FROM THE START
A 12 months in the past I wished somebody to problem Crimson Bull, and for almost all of the season we have been fortunate sufficient to have three totally different groups able to placing up a combat – and even comfortably beating Crimson Bull – at particular tracks. However that dominant opening a part of the 12 months set the tone, each when it comes to expectations and early curiosity, and in addition in Max Verstappen getting only a bit too far out of attain.
The best way staff bosses have been speaking by the top of the season, all the expectation is for a fully epic 12 months in 2025, with the highest 4 groups all combating for the title. However I’ll admit that really leads me to fret about how disappointing it could be if the truth is totally different.
If one staff simply will get a march on the remainder, even a small one, then others are probably going to change full focus to the 2026 laws sooner than normal, and we gained’t see the image closing up by the 12 months.
So my want is that no less than two groups – any two groups – are combating it out for wins from the phrase go. That won’t solely be nice to look at, however it would additionally forestall both of them getting a frightening lead reminiscent of Verstappen had early on in 2024, in flip holding the remainder of the highest 4 in contact.
HAMILTON AND FERRARI CLICK
It was most likely my favourite story of 2024, and we lastly get to see how the Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari partnership will play out.
It had a big impact on the motive force market chaos that adopted (one other wishlist merchandise from final 12 months – one which predicted Kimi Antonelli and Ollie Bearman stepping up!) nevertheless it additionally clearly affected each Hamilton and Mercedes at occasions, as the 2 sides acknowledged later within the 12 months.
But regardless of some qualifying struggles, there have been nonetheless quite a few highlights and race performances when Hamilton appeared to be at his greatest. And wouldn’t or not it’s nice if there was much more of that in 2025?
In truth, wouldn’t or not it’s nice if Ferrari supplies Hamilton with a real title-contending automotive, because it did within the second half of final 12 months for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz? 2021 was the final time he had one, and it could be large for F1 if the seven-time world champion was in a automotive able to combating for an eighth crown.
LIAM LAWSON’S REPUTATION HOLDS UP
I’ve written in-depth about how I feel Crimson Bull isn’t studying from the previous or getting probably the most out of its second automotive, and to that finish, that it dangers hurting Liam Lawson by selling him right away moderately than Yuki Tsunoda.
There’s no argument about Lawson’s expertise, however Crimson Bull must be affected person whereas he finds his ft. Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Pictures
I don’t thoughts being improper, so I both need Lawson to have a extremely good season and show to be the appropriate alternative this 12 months for Crimson Bull, or I would like there to be sufficient understanding of the scenario he has been put in if it doesn’t go properly.
A superb season in a aggressive automotive could possibly be quite a lot of enjoyable to look at too, given his early predilection for getting his elbows out, so I suppose my wishlist consists of me wanting my earlier remark piece to look foolish.
GEORGE RUSSELL REMAINS PUNCHY
The ultimate media day of a 24-race season may have been a little bit of a slog for the paddock in Abu Dhabi, however George Russell injected loads of power into it together with his feedback about Max Verstappen following their Qatar run-ins.
A few of it I agreed with, some maybe much less so, however all the drivers don’t have to love one another, and in my ebook they’re greater than welcome to speak up a rivalry.
Now, Mercedes may actually do with offering a extra aggressive automotive so Russell and Verstappen need to combat it out on observe extra typically, however I’d additionally like Russell to keep up his conviction into 2025 and never let the low season flip the warmth down too far.
THE GM WHEELS MOVE QUICKLY
One other one alongside the identical traces as final 12 months, however having eleventh staff approval hasn’t led to a full decision of the scenario. Common Motors/Cadillac/what-was-Andretti remains to be ready for its entry to formally be granted, and that leaves it on the again foot heading into 2025 when it must be working at full capability.
Hopefully there’s an announcement from the FIA in a matter of weeks moderately than months, and we will begin getting excited concerning the countdown to a much bigger grid in 2026.
VEGAS TO CHANGE ITS START TIME
It’s a rollover subject! I wrote it final 12 months and I’ll write it once more. Simply carry the race begin time a bit earlier within the night. Make it extra smart for these within the stands, these on the East Coast, and, sure, these on the bottom beginning a triple-header that additionally takes in Qatar and Abu Dhabi on the finish of such an extended season.
If it’s a vital race from a championship viewpoint, you’re more likely to nonetheless get different audiences tuning in at unusual hours, and if it’s not, the prevailing begin time remains to be removed from good for European viewers so that you’re certainly dropping out both manner.
I nonetheless don’t perceive the way it is smart for anybody to have it so late, particularly with how early the observe now shuts for a assist race too. Let’s maintain it after darkish, however when it’s that bit hotter, and when it fits just about everybody concerned much better.
CARLOS SAINZ GETS AT LEAST ONE BIG RESULT
I completely get the reasoning for Ferrari taking Hamilton, however Carlos Sainz actually can really feel like he was the collateral injury as a result of his performances have been robust as soon as once more alongside Leclerc.
The Williams challenge is an thrilling one, however is concentrated on making the most of the 2026 laws and longer-term objectives. There’s undoubtedly extra potential than was proven final 12 months, however Sainz could be going through a extremely powerful 12 months after profitable a number of races for Ferrari.
The Williams challenge is a long-term one, however hopefully Sainz will get some kind of payoff for his transfer this 12 months. Steven Tee/Motorsport Pictures
So I’d like him to get only one huge excessive level that gives a touch of why the transfer may repay over the approaching years. If the 2025 automotive is just not a aggressive one, then a shock prime 5 or podium that gives that reminder of how strongly he was performing, and retains motivation excessive forward of the key rule change.
ALPINE GETS A REALITY TV SHOW
It actually does really feel such as you by no means know what’s coming subsequent at Alpine, and that may be from each an excellent and dangerous perspective. Amid the hirings, firings, energy unit program curtailings and Flavio Briatore returnings, there was some robust progress with the automotive final 12 months, and I’m nonetheless massively impressed the staff pulled P6 out of all that.
However I additionally really feel just like the enhancements don’t routinely imply there might be stability any more, and I do know now we have Netflix and Drive to Survive but when somebody may simply guarantee there’s a digicam throughout the darkest corners of Alpine always, that might show to be TV gold.
