Key factors for a season full of uncertainty

The calendar

The 75th edition of Formula 1 is set to deliver excitement and intrigue, with questions gradually being answered as the championship unfolds across its 24-race calendar. The action begins on 13 March at the historic Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia. Bahrain relinquishes its usual role as the season opener due to Ramadan, the holy month in the Islamic calendar, which falls in March this year. As a result, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will take place in April as the fourth and fifth rounds of the season, following Melbourne, Shanghai, and Suzuka. Apart from this scheduling change, the 2025 season will not feature any new venues, maintaining the same 24 races as in 2024, with the championship concluding on 7 December in Abu Dhabi.

The 2025 sprint races

Once again, the season will feature six Sprint races, taking place at the Chinese, Miami, Belgian, United States, Brazilian, and Qatar Grands Prix. These shortened-format races will add an extra layer of excitement and alternative strategies to each Grand Prix weekend, allowing drivers and teams to secure additional points in a more dynamic format.

Driver and team line-up changes

The 2025 season will introduce a fresh wave of talent aiming to shake up the grid. Among the most notable rookies are Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, Oliver Bearman at Haas, Jack Doohan at Alpine, Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber, and Liam Lawson, who will replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull. "Furthermore, Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari after more than a decade with Mercedes will generate immense anticipation, just as Williams hopes to boost its competitiveness with the arrival of Carlos Sainz. Only McLaren and Aston Martin have retained an unchanged driver line-up. In total, ten driver changes mark a major shake-up following a static 2024 season with no movements.

Technical regulation changes

The minimum weight of F1 cars has been adjusted for the new season, albeit marginally. The weight requirement has been increased by 2kg, rising from 798kg to 800kg, with a further increase to 805kg in cases where the FIA mandates the use of a cooling kit. This cooling system, introduced for 2025, will be compulsory at Grands Prix where ambient temperatures are expected to exceed 30.5°C. Both the car and the driver’s race suit must be equipped with this system to improve heat management.

Another significant change is the removal of the bonus point for the fastest lap. Since 2019, drivers who set the fastest lap in a race and finished within the top ten were awarded an extra point. However, from 2025, this statistic will remain purely for the record books. The rule change aims to prevent drivers from making late pit stops to fit fresh soft tyres in pursuit of the extra point.

Additionally, the Monaco Grand Prix will now require a minimum of two mandatory pit stops to enhance competition and spectacle, provided the race remains dry. Teams must also use at least two different tyre compounds during the race.

The controversial flexible rear wing

Following concerns raised by teams regarding McLaren’s flexible rear wing—described as a ‘mini DRS’—the FIA has intervened. For 2025, regulations surrounding these components will be tightened to curb excessive use of aeroelasticity for performance gains in corners. The allowed flexibility in the rear wing’s asymmetric section will be reduced from 20mm to 15mm, while the symmetric section’s limit will decrease from 15mm to 10mm. Additionally, the front wing’s permitted flexion will be cut from 5mm to 3mm.

To ease the transition, these changes will be phased in gradually. Rear wing testing will commence at the season opener in Melbourne, while the stricter front wing regulations will come into effect from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards.

Crackdown on ‘misconduct’

From 2025, the FIA will introduce stricter penalties to combat misconduct and inappropriate language within its sporting jurisdiction. This applies to all Formula 1 personnel, as well as participants in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and World Endurance Championship (WEC).

What constitutes misconduct? According to Article 12 of the Sporting Code, any ‘use of offensive, insulting, obscene, rude, or abusive language (written or verbal), gestures, or signs that may be perceived as offensive or inappropriate’ falls under this category.

First-time offenders will face fines ranging from €10,000 to €15,000, while repeat offences will see penalties escalate to €20,000–€30,000 for a second offence and up to €45,000 for a third. However, given the heightened visibility of Formula 1, these amounts will be quadrupled: first offences will incur fines of €40,000–€60,000, second offences €80,000–€120,000, and third offences €120,000–€180,000. Persistent offenders in Formula 1 may also face World Championship points deductions, although no specific figures have been outlined.

Furthermore, the FIA has reinforced its ban on drivers making political or ideological statements. Any public expression that contradicts the FIA’s principle of neutrality—be it political, religious, or personal—will require prior written approval from the governing body. Those who violate this rule will be obliged to issue a public apology, explicitly retracting their statements.

In recent years, prominent drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have used their platforms to advocate against racism and support LGBTQ+ rights. However, under the revised regulations, such gestures will be prohibited unless sanctioned by the FIA.