Right here’s to an ideal 2025! I hope you’ve all had a enjoyable finish to final yr, but when not then that is the purpose after we get to look ahead with hope and anticipation that there will probably be higher occasions forward.
And consistent with that theme, I all the time prefer to kick off the New 12 months with a set of requests. Consider it like writing a Christmas checklist to Santa Claus – you understand a number of it is perhaps extremely fanciful, however you would possibly as effectively 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 positively not meant to be insightful (though go and take a look at final yr’s, as fairly a couple of did find yourself coming true). That is only a checklist of subjects that I want I had the ability to make come true if I used to be in command of the Components 1 world.
THE TOP TWO TEAMS ARE CLOSELY-MATCHED FROM THE START
A yr in the past I wished somebody to problem Pink Bull, and for almost all of the season we have been fortunate sufficient to have three completely different groups able to placing up a struggle – and even comfortably beating Pink Bull – at particular tracks. However that dominant opening a part of the yr 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 workforce bosses have been speaking by the top of the season, all the expectation is for a completely epic yr in 2025, with the highest 4 groups all combating for the title. However I’ll admit that truly leads me to fret about how disappointing it might be if the fact is completely different.
If one workforce simply will get a march on the remaining, even a small one, then others are doubtlessly going to change full focus to the 2026 laws sooner than common, and we received’t see the image closing up by the yr.
So my want is that at the least two groups – any two groups – are combating it out for wins from the phrase go. That won’t solely be nice to observe, however it is going to additionally stop both of them getting a frightening lead equivalent to Verstappen had early on in 2024, in flip preserving the remainder of the highest 4 in contact.
HAMILTON AND FERRARI CLICK
It was in all probability my favourite story of 2024, and we lastly get to see how the Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari partnership will play out.
It had a huge effect on the driving force market chaos that adopted (one other wishlist merchandise from final yr – one which predicted Kimi Antonelli and Ollie Bearman stepping up!) however it additionally clearly affected each Hamilton and Mercedes at occasions, as the 2 sides acknowledged later within the yr.
But regardless of some qualifying struggles, there have been nonetheless various highlights and race performances when Hamilton at his greatest. And wouldn’t or not it’s nice if there was much more of that in 2025?
In reality, wouldn’t or not it’s nice if Ferrari offers Hamilton with a real title-contending automotive, because it did within the second half of final yr for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz? 2021 was the final time he had one, and it might be big 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 believe Pink 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 fairly than Yuki Tsunoda.
There’s no argument about Lawson’s expertise, however Pink Bull must be affected person whereas he finds his toes. Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Photographs
I don’t thoughts being fallacious, so I both need Lawson to have a very good season and show to be the precise selection this yr for Pink Bull, or I would like there to be sufficient understanding of the state of affairs he has been put in if it doesn’t go effectively.
A great season in a aggressive automotive could possibly be a number of enjoyable to observe 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 along 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 must struggle it out on observe extra usually, 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 yr, however having eleventh workforce approval hasn’t led to a full decision of the state of affairs. Common Motors/Cadillac/what-was-Andretti continues 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 fairly than months, and we are able to begin getting excited in regards to the countdown to an even bigger grid in 2026.
VEGAS TO CHANGE ITS START TIME
It’s a rollover matter! I wrote it final yr and I’ll write it once more. Simply deliver the race begin time a bit earlier within the night. Make it extra wise 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 a protracted season.
If it’s a vital race from a championship standpoint, you’re prone to nonetheless get different audiences tuning in at unusual hours, and if it’s not, the prevailing begin time continues to be removed from good for European viewers so that you’re certainly dropping out both means.
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 help 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 harm as a result of his performances have been sturdy as soon as once more alongside Leclerc.
The Williams challenge is an thrilling one, however is concentrated on benefiting from the 2026 laws and longer-term objectives. There’s positively extra potential than was proven final yr, however Sainz is perhaps going through a very robust yr after successful a number of races for Ferrari.
The Williams challenge is a long-term one, however hopefully Sainz will get some type of payoff for his transfer this yr. Steven Tee/Motorsport Photographs
So I’d like him to get only one massive excessive level that gives a touch of why the transfer may repay over the approaching years. If the 2025 automotive shouldn’t be 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 foremost 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 a great and unhealthy perspective. Amid the hirings, firings, energy unit program curtailings and Flavio Briatore returnings, there was some sturdy progress with the automotive final yr, and I’m nonetheless massively impressed the workforce pulled P6 out of all that.
However I additionally really feel just like the enhancements don’t mechanically imply there will probably be stability any further, and I do know we’ve Netflix and Drive to Survive but when somebody may simply guarantee there’s a digital camera inside the darkest corners of Alpine always, that might show to be TV gold.
