The first two races of the 2025 Formula 1 Season have already set what appears to be a memorable year. With new driver lineups, technical innovations and unexpected performances, they have already provided a glimpse of how the title battle could go. From newcomers making a start to legends adapting to new teams, the battle is closer than ever. Let’s break down the key lessons learned from the first two races and how they apply to the remainder of the season.
Driver News
Several of the big storylines of the 2025 season have been the driver swaps that reshaped the grid. The most eagerly anticipated switch was Lewis Hamilton‘s move to Ferrari, ending his decade-plus relationship with Mercedes. But his shift to the Italian team has been greeted with mixed fortunes. Despite winning the sprint race in China, he struggled to extract maximum performance from the SF-25 in the other two races. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, now at Williams, has also been in an adjustment period. He managed to score a point in his second race, only after Ferrari’s double DNF.
Red Bull has made a strategic driver change, dropping Liam Lawson in favor of Yuki Tsunoda. Lawson was promising, but the RB21’s finicky handling and slim operating window proved beyond him. Red Bull is hoping that the switch will make their team of drivers more formidable. They aim on extracting every point they can, while introducing crucial upgrades to find consistency and performance in future races.
At McLaren, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have delivered solid performances. It reflects that the team has moved a step ahead in the battle for podiums and regular race victories. Fernando Alonso, who is in his third year at Aston Martin, has yet to complete a race this season.
How the Rookies Fared So Far
The 2025 season saw six new faces join the F1 grid. Their performances in the first two races has given us a glimpse of what to expect. The standout among them is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes. He has scored points in his both the races. Antonelli has been the focus as he takes up Hamilton’s iconic seat. His assurance behind the wheel and pressure-handling skills imply that he is potentially a star in the making for the sport.
Oliver Bearman, entering a permanent position with Haas, has had an up-and-down start. Though he has produced moments of pace, he has struggled with consistency, something that will have to improve as the year goes on. He has been able to secure 4 points in the Chinese Grand Prix, demonstrating he is capable of better in the upcoming races. The other four newbies – Isack Hadjar, Jack Doohan, Gabriel Bortoleto and Liam Lawson are still to pick up points. Lawson, in place of Sergio Perez at Red Bull, has had the toughest beginning among the rookies.
As their experience increases, we may witness some of the rookies taking the curtains down from the established F1 names. The coming races will play a pivotal role in determining whether they are able to maintain their momentum and develop into regular point getters.
Team Developments
Squads have been working tirelessly honing tactics and making critical decisions to get the most out of themselves. Red Bull made the move to sign Tsunoda from Racing Bulls, while Lawson went the opposite way. Tsunoda, being an aggressive driver with experience, is likely to settle in better and test the limits of the car along with Max Verstappen.
Ferrari has had an intriguing beginning, with Charles Leclerc seeming more at ease in the car than his new teammate, Hamilton. The Scuderia has had moments of brilliance, but they still don’t have the outright speed to take on McLaren on a regular basis. McLaren, on the other hand, is still a serious contender, with both Norris and Piastri putting in strong performances. They are a key player in this year’s title battle and currently the team to beat.
Mercedes has performed really well over the last couple of races. George Russell has managed two P3 finishes, while Antonelli’s brilliance was awarded with points in both the races. The once-dominant squad looks set for a comeback to winning ways. Williams and Haas have had a steady start, with Alexander Albon and Esteban Ocon picking up valuable points. But both will require dramatic improvements if they are to struggle for podiums on a frequent basis. Sauber, Racing Bulls and Aston Martin have also shown potential but currently remain as midfield runners.
Car Improvements
Red Bull struggled in both races, with Max Verstappen propping up the team while Liam Lawson had issues with the problematic RB21. Though the car has improved in some areas, its narrow operating window and traction issues cause higher tire degradation compared to McLaren. Red Bull have a three-package upgrade plan for Japan, Bahrain and Jeddah. This enhances reliability before bringing the performance.
Ferrari’s SF25 is a heavily updated car with radical improvements but yet suffering from balance and ride height issues. Their double disqualification in China had exposed problems. Hamilton’s high plank wear showed defects in the rear suspension and diffuser design. Ferrari will introduce updates in Japan and Bahrain to address these weaknesses. These updates would majorly focus on optimizing ride height and floor efficiency.
Mercedes’ W16 has shown stability and consistency, making it the closest challenger to McLaren. With a stable rear end and good tire management, its primary weakness is a slight downforce deficit. Upcoming upgrades, likely in Bahrain and Miami, will focus on adding stable downforce without disrupting the car’s balance.
Looking Ahead: Japanese Grand Prix
With the teams making their way to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, the tension builds. Suzuka is perhaps one of the most legendary circuits on the F1 calendar with its high-speed turns. It’s a track that really tests the mettle of a driver and the aerodynamic prowess of a car.
McLaren will be favorites to win the race, with Norris and Piastri already looking for P1. Ferrari and Mercedes will be hoping to bridge the gap to McLaren. Red Bull will be hoping to look for answers to their continued issues. Suzuka is a circuit where experience has long been an important factor. The Japanese Grand Prix will also prove an important test for newcomers Antonelli and Bearman. With a possibility of rain, weather will have the potential to add an unpredictable factor. Strategy and tire selection will be key to the outcome.
Sofascore is also bringing big updates to the race, with new F1-specific features and smarter ways to follow every second of the action—from qualifying all the way to podium celebrations. Suzuka is iconic, and Sofascore is making sure fans don’t miss a thing.
Already at 2 races, the 2025 F1 campaign has had its dose of cliffhanger tension. Driver changeovers, team reshuffle and technological overhauling have each raised the level of an entertaining saga for this championship battle. With more upgrades coming, the Japanese Grand Prix promises a competitive showdown.