The 2025 Formula One season arrives with a feeling of transition.
Several teams are already looking ahead to the major regulation overhaul scheduled for 2026, yet the current grid remains fiercely competitive. A blockbuster driver move, multiple rookies, and a reshaped midfield mean that almost every team enters the year with something to prove.
Lewis Hamilton’s long-anticipated move to Ferrari headlines the storylines, while teams such as McLaren and Mercedes enter the season trying to prove they can challenge Red Bull’s once-dominant empire.
With the grid set, here is how the teams line up heading into the new campaign.
McLaren
McLaren enter 2025 with arguably one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid.
Lando Norris has firmly established himself as the team’s leader, but Oscar Piastri is rapidly building a reputation as one of the most complete young drivers in the sport. Managed by former Red Bull and Williams driver Mark Webber, Piastri arrives into his third full season under increasing expectation.
Webber knows better than most how easily a talented driver can become locked into a number-two role. The task for Piastri this season will be simple: prove he can consistently challenge Norris.
If both drivers perform at their peak, McLaren may face the sort of internal rivalry that once defined Hamilton and Rosberg at Mercedes. The difference, however, is that McLaren do not yet possess a dominant car — which may prevent tensions from boiling over.
Ferrari
The biggest story of the 2025 season is Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion joins a team synonymous with Formula One history, becoming the latest multiple champion to wear red. Ferrari are now the only team to have fielded both seven-time champions in the sport’s history.
Hamilton’s arrival also raises immediate questions about team dynamics. Charles Leclerc remains firmly established at Ferrari, having signed a long-term contract extension in 2024. The Monegasque driver finally delivered on home soil in Monaco last season and secured victory at Monza, reinforcing his position as the team’s long-term contender.
The partnership promises intrigue. Hamilton brings experience and legacy, while Leclerc represents Ferrari’s future. Whether the team can manage that balance may determine their championship prospects.
Red Bull
After years of dominance, Red Bull appear to be entering a period of transition.
Max Verstappen remains the centrepiece of the team. The four-time champion continues to demonstrate an extraordinary ability to extract performance even when the car is not at its absolute best.
However, Red Bull have opted for change alongside him. Sergio Pérez departs, replaced by New Zealand driver Liam Lawson.
Lawson has appeared in Formula One before, but technically enters 2025 as a rookie, having never completed a full season. His promotion raises eyebrows, particularly with Yuki Tsunoda still waiting in the wings.
At Red Bull, expectations are ruthless. Lawson will need to deliver quickly or risk joining the long list of drivers who struggled to survive alongside Verstappen.
Mercedes
Mercedes begin the post-Hamilton era.
George Russell now assumes the role of team leader after an impressive 2024 season that included multiple victories. The team has shown increasing faith in the Briton’s leadership as it rebuilds toward a new competitive cycle.
Alongside him arrives one of the most highly anticipated rookies in years: Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The young Italian has risen rapidly through the junior ranks, and team principal Toto Wolff has spoken openly about the team’s belief in his potential. However, Antonelli’s limited Formula One experience means the team have taken a precautionary step — bringing back former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas as reserve.
If Antonelli adapts quickly, Mercedes may have found their next long-term star.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin’s ambitions are increasingly focused on the future.
The team’s headline signing was Adrian Newey, whose arrival signals a clear intent to challenge for championships in the coming years. While his full impact may only be felt under the 2026 regulations, the team hopes his influence will already begin shaping development.
Fernando Alonso remains one of the sport’s most competitive veterans and will be eager to finally drive a Newey-designed car. Alongside him, Lance Stroll retains his seat as Aston Martin continues to prioritise stability.
Whether the team can convert its ambitious vision into results remains to be seen.
Alpine
Few teams experienced more turbulence in 2024 than Alpine.
Leadership changes, technical reshuffles, and internal instability defined their season. However, the return of Flavio Briatore has brought a renewed sense of direction to the organisation.
Pierre Gasly continues as the team’s lead driver, while rookie Jack Doohan steps into the second seat. The Australian faces immediate pressure, with Franco Colapinto waiting in the wings as a reserve driver.
Alpine’s development trajectory improved during the latter part of 2024. Whether that momentum continues will be crucial to their competitiveness.
Haas
Haas begin a new chapter with a completely refreshed driver lineup.
Esteban Ocon joins the team as the experienced leader, bringing race-winning pedigree and valuable technical feedback. Alongside him is Ferrari academy driver Oliver Bearman, who impressed during his substitute appearances in 2024.
Bearman now faces the challenge of proving he can translate that promise into consistent full-season performance.
While Haas are unlikely to challenge at the front, their new lineup could provide a solid platform for gradual improvement.
VCARB
The rebranded VCARB team arrives in 2025 with renewed identity and striking visuals.
Yuki Tsunoda remains the team’s lead driver after being overlooked for promotion to Red Bull. His performances over the past two seasons have shown increasing maturity, and he may now be entering the strongest phase of his career.
Joining him is rookie Isack Hadjar, another product of the Red Bull development pipeline. The young French driver faces an immediate benchmark in Tsunoda and will need to adapt quickly to Formula One’s demands.
Williams
Williams continue their long rebuilding journey.
The team has moved beyond the financial survival mode that defined much of the previous decade and is now focused on long-term competitiveness. Alex Albon remains central to that effort, having consistently delivered points finishes in difficult machinery.
The major signing for 2025 is Carlos Sainz. The former Ferrari driver brings race-winning experience and technical insight that could prove invaluable as Williams attempts to move up the grid.
Whether the team can convert their growing investment into results will be one of the most interesting storylines of the season.
Kick Sauber
Kick Sauber enter their final season before the transition to Audi.
The team has rebuilt its driver lineup in preparation for that transformation. Nico Hülkenberg arrives as the experienced figure capable of guiding development, while Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto steps into Formula One as a rookie.
Bortoleto’s back-to-back junior titles mark him as one of the most promising young drivers to reach the grid in recent years.
For Sauber, 2025 is likely to be a year of preparation rather than immediate success.
Fantasy League 2025
The Ahead at the Apex Fantasy League is now live.
The league can be joined through the official F1 Fantasy game.
League code: C3PDRG9CF06
A secondary prediction league is also running this year.
League code: C8MHGLRKE01
Both competitions are open to all players.
Championship Prizes
| Prize | Pot Share | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Champion of the World | 20% | Highest total score |
| If You’re Not First, You’re Last | 10% | Second place overall |
| Alpine Podium | 5% | Third place overall |
| Above Par | 20% | Lowest score across the season |
Season Achievements
| Prize | Pot Share | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Cappen | 5% | Highest average points per value |
| Sprint King | 5% | Best combined sprint race score |
| Substitution Master | 5% | Most successful manager substitutions |
| Triple Header | 5% | Best score across triple-header weekends |
| Mega Driver | 5% | Highest Extra DRS score |
Entry
Entry to the prize pool is £5 per email address, allowing up to three teams.
All prize money is returned to players — no administrative fees are taken.
Managers
More than 50 managers have already entered this season’s competition, including returning favourites and several new challengers. If you want to join in - get in touch!
The full league roster will be tracked throughout the season as the championship unfolds.
Here we go!
The 2025 Formula One season promises to be one of the most fascinating in recent memory — not just for the racing on track, but for the shifting landscape of the teams themselves.
Let the season begin…