The Hottest Sport is Back. Let’s See What’s New

By: Aneesha Mahapatra

Race week is finally here, and the 2025 Formula 1 season is officially underway. Sunday, March 16, will kick off The Australian Grand Prix which marks the start of what’s shaping up to be an exciting season with new drivers and teams. 

I’m quite excited to see Lewis Hamilton perform in red. Seeing him in anything other than a Mercedes still feels surreal, but as a Ferrari fan, I’m internally screaming and I can tell he is already having the time of his life on the team. He is definitely going to be fighting for many wins along with his teammate and my personal favorite, Charles Leclerc. Ferrari has been after a championship for years, and with two racing icons, it might become a dream come true (manifesting). However with Red Bull and McLaren still being major competitors, we’ll see how the Ferrari duo overcome obstacles on and off the track. 

 Speaking of Ferrari, Carlos Sainz is out with the red and in with the blues & white embracing his new team colors with Williams Racing. Many people were upset when Sainz was placed in Williams, but I think it’s a great move for the team overall. His move brings great experience to a team that’s been steadily improving. They’ve been moving up the grid, and with Alex Albon as his teammate, Sainz could help them take another step forward. I’m expecting to see Williams on the podium at least a few times in 2025. 

One of the most anticipated rookies this season is Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes. His standout performances in Formula 2 showcased his talent, earning him an upgrade to F1. Mercedes clearly has strong confidence in his abilities, and based on his past achievements, I believe Antonelli is set to make a strong impact this season.

Off the track, I’m ecstatic to see the Paddock fits which is equally as enthralling as the race. With big races coming up including Miami, Monaco, Italy, and more, I know that the driver fashionistas including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Lando Norris are going to bring their A-game. I love seeing their combos of streetwear or luxury, and sometimes mixed with their team attire. Fashion is becoming a huge part of F1 culture.

 Finally looking ahead, Cadillac will join F1 as the 11th team in 2026. Supported by General Motors, they’ll start with Ferrari power units and gearboxes before making their own. This marks the first expansion of the F1 grid since Haas in 2016 and is a big step for F1’s growth, especially in the U.S. market. Can’t wait to see both driver reveals. For big F1 fans (so me), the highly anticipated F1 movie, starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris as drivers for the fictional APXGP team, has released its latest trailer ahead of its June 2025 release, set to showcase to showcase the excitement and drama of F1, both on and off the track.

With all the changes on the grid, I can tell this season is going to be good. The Australian Grand Prix will give us a first glimpse of who might own the season, but obviously you’ll never know unless it becomes a little too repetitive. Last season really felt like true F1 since many races had unexpected winners, and the unpredictability brought the thrill of watching the race back to fans. Personally, I’d love to see McLaren or Ferrari win the WDC this year, but let’s see where the 2025 season takes us.