The Dakar Rally has claimed its first high-profile victims, and the chequered flag has fallen on the Dubai 24 Hours with victory claimed by the Al Manar Racing by WRT BMW. After a quick lull whereas gravy-soaked turkey and pigs-in-blankets had been consumed, motorsport is nicely and actually again.
The 12 months forward guarantees quite a few speaking factors throughout the spectrum of classes. From Formulation 1’s most profitable driver partnering up with its most storied workforce, to the return of a large to the highest class of the Le Mans 24 Hours and one other shake-up to the World Rally Championship’s factors system within the offing, listed below are our correspondents’ nominations for what to look out for in 2025.
Entries by Haydn Cobb, Stuart Codling, Ewan Gale, Tom Howard, Oleg Karpov, James Newbold and Ben Vinel
Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari
Hamilton takes over from Sainz as Leclerc’s team-mate this 12 months, following the tip of his lengthy Mercedes tenure
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
Extra important even than the anomalous (on this period) presence of six rookies on the grid, Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile transfer to Ferrari is F1’s prime new storyline of 2025. Few different sportspeople get to open such important new chapters of their careers on the age of 40.
You would possibly assume that after seven world championships and 105 grand prix wins, Hamilton has nothing left to show – and that the dangers of becoming a member of Ferrari outweigh the potential advantages. Nevertheless, following that premise means misunderstanding what makes Hamilton what he’s. Ask him about earlier races, even his biggest victories, and he’ll admit to a quite fuzzy recall of them; this can be a man all the time trying forwards, not again.
Hamilton has additionally spent an awesome lots of his 40 years on this earth proving doubters unsuitable. Like several nice sportsperson, he has immense self-belief however that is underpinned not simply by real expertise however by a forceful work ethic. And he expects these round him to imbue their efforts with the identical vitality as him.
So, despite the fact that Hamilton now lists ‘racing driver’ because the third of his skilled occupations on his LinkedIn profile, this isn’t a cynical try at squeezing a couple of extra salary-paying years. Neither is his intention of successful extra races and titles at Ferrari some quixotic fantasy.
Certain, there are obstacles – he’s struggled with the traits of this era of automobiles, and Ferrari’s growth trajectory stays open to query – however what’s extra energising for Hamilton is the chance for a contemporary begin after changing into disillusioned at Mercedes.
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As to the results of age – nicely, famously, Jack Brabham mocked those that disparaged the results of his advancing years by arriving on the grid of the 1966 Dutch GP with a strolling stick and a pretend beard whereas affecting a limp. After which, at 40, gained the world championship. SC
Marc Marquez to run riot in pink
Marquez switches from satellite tv for pc Gresini bike to manufacturing facility Ducati this 12 months, demonstrating the knowledge of ditching Honda
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
Simply 12 months in the past Marc Marquez was the story going into the 2024 MotoGP season as he jumped off the sinking ship Honda for Gresini Ducati. From the outset, it was thought of a raffle, however because the marketing campaign progressed it was a masterstroke for rider and workforce.
Regardless of year-old equipment, the eight-time world champion was the one rider to persistently take the battle to title contenders Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia. Notably, a 1,000-day look forward to victory marked an emotional finish to a redemption arc after years of career-threatening accidents and ill-tempered equipment. However Marquez’s insatiable concentrate on battling for titles once more meant his climb up the MotoGP hierarchy wanted to scale a contemporary top for 2025.
A contract saga landed Marquez a slot on the manufacturing facility Ducati squad, muscling out a spot that was earmarked for Martin, placing the largest identify in MotoGP onto the dominant package deal. To underline Marquez’s focus, he has, quickly no less than, placed on maintain long-time sponsors Crimson Bull and Oakley on account of Ducati companion clashes – specializing in a title problem forward of profitable private offers – whereas portray a optimistic early integration into the workforce.
How lengthy which will final inside the Ducati fold is anybody’s guess. However to offer credit score to the Italian producer it did deal with the tough state of affairs of Bagnaia vs outgoing and eventual champion Martin beautifully within the crunch weeks of 2024. Marquez and an intra-factory Ducati tussle might create larger complications, significantly if Martin on the Aprilia could be a disruptive pressure towards the all-dominating Ducati steady of latest seasons.
Even 18 months in the past, Marquez racing for the manufacturing facility Ducati squad was unthinkable. However as actuality bites, it might be the match-up MotoGP has been dreaming of and a nightmare realised for the remainder of the grid. HC
A primary peek at what Antonelli can do in F1
Antonelli has had fleeting outings in FP1 within the public eye, however now could have many extra eyeballs on him as he replaces Hamilton at Mercedes
Picture by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Photos
No Formulation 1 debut has been as thrilling to me as Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s since Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen joined the world championship in 2007 – most likely as a result of, like them, he’ll race for a prime workforce in his maiden season (although Kovalainen’s Renault R27 ended up being method off the tempo all through that marketing campaign, however the Enstone-based squad nonetheless was the reigning constructors’ champion).
Antonelli was price keeping track of as quickly as he joined the Mercedes academy in 2019, which he proved worthy of by successful back-to-back titles within the CIK-FIA European Championship’s OK class in 2020 and 2021. He went on to take 4 extra crowns in his maiden two full campaigns in single-seaters, thrashing the opposition in Formulation 4’s best championship in Italy – he scored 12 pole positions and 13 wins.
Final season was admittedly mildly underwhelming, however one should not overlook the Italian jumped into F2 at 17 from the Formulation Regional European Championship, bypassing a often unmissable F3 step. In that context, his sixth place total was honourable – particularly when the pecking order was generally eyebrow-raising.
Antonelli had ups and downs, however he nonetheless took two wins. His highly-rated, extra skilled team-mate Oliver Bearman was outqualified (6-5, excluding Monaco on account of cut up qualifying teams) and outscored (113 factors to 75, with two fewer races for the Briton).
Not dissimilarly to Hamilton with McLaren a few a long time in the past, Antonelli is graduating to a robust workforce he has been affiliated with for six years, and has large sneakers to fill… changing this exact same driver, whose partnership with Mercedes is probably the most profitable within the historical past of F1.
Toto Wolff is aware of he must put as little stress as potential on his teenager, however the Austrian will search the suitable steadiness when it comes to mindset after Antonelli crashed out on his first flying lap in Free Follow 1 at Monza. The Italian attacking flat out actually made for entertaining viewing, but it surely was clearly not what his workforce wanted – significantly so early within the session.
That is what we will count on this 12 months: flashes of velocity and the occasional rookie mistake. To me, there may be little doubt Antonelli will give George Russell a tough time; what no person is aware of is how laborious. BV
Newgarden’s bid for a three-peat
Newgarden pounced on O’Ward to win one other Indy 500 final 12 months – however can he make historical past and full the hattrick?
Picture by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Photos
Workforce Penske’s Josef Newgarden could not have had the 2024 he was aiming for firstly of the IndyCar Collection season, however he did make historical past by changing into solely the fifth driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in back-to-back years.
The American did so in simply as dramatic a trend as he had when successful in 2023, disposing of Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward across the outdoors at Flip 3 on the ultimate lap, just some hundred metres down the street from the place he handed Marcus Ericsson 12 months beforehand.
With the dramatic finish got here the primary driver to defend the Indy 500 since Helio Castroneves managed the feat in 2002 and now supplies Newgarden the possibility to develop into the primary to handle three on the bounce.
It’s laborious to see why he would not be within the combine given his type on the superspeedway up to now two years – Penske capable of finely tune his equipment throughout the ‘Month of Might’ to make sure it was in tip-top situation for the principle occasion. Though the debut of hybrid engines on the Brickyard will current a brand new problem, Penske drivers gained 5 of the seven races staged on ovals following its mid-season adoption at Mid-Ohio final 12 months, so the possibility for the hat-trick actually is on.
After all, Newgarden could have 32 different drivers thirsty to drink the milk come the tip of the 200 laps, and there may be certainly no method he can up the ante within the drama stakes in comparison with the final two years. But when he can add his face to the Borg-Warner trophy for the third time, then think about the thrill it should create. The 109th Indy 500 cannot come quickly sufficient! EG
Verstappen dealing with third-fastest automotive all 12 months
If Crimson Bull does not convey the very best automotive to the observe in 2025, there might be a repeat of Hungary radio fury from Verstappen
Picture by: Glenn Dunbar
By the tip of final season, Crimson Bull had largely sorted out its automotive, which Max Verstappen described as a “monster” in Monza. The Dutchman nonetheless managed to win in Brazil and, extra importantly, in Qatar on a dry observe. And whereas the second half of the season has been difficult for each the workforce and the champion, the title was by no means actually doubtful because of the hole Verstappen managed to construct firstly of the 12 months.
It was nonetheless wonderful to see how he managed to maintain Lando Norris at bay as McLaren obtained faster and faster, scoring factors meticulously and squeezing out most of his alternatives – no less than most of the time. However that very same hole allowed him to dictate his personal phrases to Norris, and the Briton was by no means able to push his rival as laborious as he may need preferred.
This 12 months might be completely different, although, and it isn’t too unreasonable to think about that Verstappen might find yourself with the third-fastest automotive on most tracks, albeit by a really small margin. And if that is the case, he’ll undoubtedly present loads of leisure.
Probably the most intriguing query is what type it should take: can he proceed to get the absolute best consequence week in and week out, capitalising on his rivals’ errors, or will he finally let his frustration creep in? Verstappen is unbelievable in a dominant automotive, as 2023 proved, however he does not actually maintain again when he is indignant. Hungary final 12 months was the most recent proof that he is not all the time calm and picked up when issues do not go his method.
Will he stick with Crimson Bull if he is not given the fabric to problem for one more title, or will he look elsewhere for the long run? No matter it’s, if Crimson Bull cannot persistently problem McLaren and Ferrari, Verstappen will not be proud of merely ending fifth – however precisely how he reacts will probably be fascinating to look at. OK
Aston Martin’s Le Mans return
Aston Martin will enter the Valkyrie AMR-LMH in its bid for a primary outright Le Mans win since 1959
Picture by: Aston Martin
Ferrari has been the largest identify in motorsport for many years, although hardcore sportscar followers would possibly plump for Porsche. However, for some Brits, Aston Martin might be thrown into the combo, particularly relating to Le Mans. It actually is for this author.
Being introduced up on a mix of Formulation 1 on TV and attending Aston Martin House owners Membership occasions, I discovered about Aston’s combined motorsport historical past from a younger age. A bit of schoolwork finished on the age of eight centered on the exploits of Aston and Stirling Moss on the best way to the 1959 sportscar world title. I admire now that was most likely a reasonably odd factor for my instructor to mark, however no less than I may be positive nobody else handed in one thing comparable!
The purpose is that, regardless of Aston Martin’s latest F1 efforts, endurance racing and Le Mans is its true dwelling, which is why the inexperienced workforce’s dedication to the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class is the large factor I’m trying ahead to in 2025 (other than Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, which certainly pursuits everybody!).
Aston’s solo total Le Mans success got here in 1959, since its sporadic appearances have largely been tales of unfilled potential, disasters, or success within the GT courses. The thought that the Coronary heart of Racing/manufacturing facility effort ought to be higher positioned than most Aston makes an attempt because the Fifties is tantalising.
And so is the truth that Aston goes down the LMH route, like Ferrari and Toyota, quite than the cheaper LMDh path favoured by most, together with Porsche. The Valkyrie AMR-LMH’s 6.5-litre V12 is more likely to surpass Cadillac’s 5.5-litre V8 because the best-sounding WEC automotive and Aston’s return to Le Mans makes it laborious to assume which producers are left on the sportscar lovers’ want checklist… KT
Rovanpera’s full-time return and an easier WRC factors system
Rovanpera took 4 wins in a part-time marketing campaign final season and now returns with batteries recharged to a new-look WRC with out hybrid and that includes new tyres
Picture by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
Final 12 months’s World Rally Championship title battle was a completely entertaining affair and will probably be remembered for its dramatic season finale, however this 12 months’s might be even spicier. That’s right down to a lot of variables however chief amongst them are the full-time return of two-time world champion, Kalle Rovanpera, a brand new factors system and modifications to technical and sporting laws.
Throughout a partial marketing campaign final 12 months, Rovanpera continued to point out his class by racking up 4 wins. That was two greater than the eventual world champion, Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, though the Toyota man did benefit from a street positional benefit.
There isn’t a hiding away from Rovanpera’s supreme expertise behind the wheel and now rejuvenated after what he described as a enjoyable 2024 mini-sabbatical, the Finn is hungry for a 3rd world title – a worrying thought for his rivals. Rovanpera’s return poses an attention-grabbing narrative for a possible four-way title battle that can little doubt be fiercely defended by Neuville, now with out the stress of being the WRC’s practically man.
Neuville’s Hyundai team-mate Ott Tanak can even be determined to proper the wrongs of 2024 whereas Toyota’s Elfyn Evans will probably be aiming to go one step higher after ending 2024 because the title runner-up for a fourth time.
Including further intrigue to the battle is the actual fact all of the drivers are successfully ranging from scratch, with hybrid energy now faraway from Rally1 automobiles which is able to now run on a brand new management tyre provided by Hankook. It’s nearly not possible to foretell which driver and automotive mixture will excellent the adjustment the quickest.
This title battle can even be performed out throughout a brand new factors system that seems on paper to be much less advanced than final 12 months’s radical idea, whereas retaining the weather that made WRC Sundays must-see motorsport motion. TH
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Prototype racing again at Silverstone
ELMS will probably be again in motion at Silverstone for the primary time because the pandemic
Picture by: JEP / Motorsport Photos
It might ‘solely’ be the European Le Mans Collection, however the return of worldwide sportscar racing to Silverstone on 14 September is one thing to have fun. As Gary Watkins explored in his column when the information was introduced in October, it will probably solely be hoped that the primary ACO-sanctioned race held at Britain’s most storied circuit since 2019 does function a precursor to a World Endurance Championship comeback.
However within the meantime, for sportscar racing followers from these shores, the four-hour race for LMP2, LMP3 and LMGT3 equipment will maintain loads of curiosity. The complete entry checklist has but to be revealed, however a 44-car grid may be anticipated and supporters of British drivers will probably be spoiled for alternative with the likes of Oliver Jarvis, Ben Hanley, Nick Yelloly and Jamie Chadwick main the road.
The brand new era of LMP3 machines, powered by Toyota twin-turbo V6 engines ready by ORECA, will make a UK bow whereas the range on show within the GT ranks – which incorporates six producers – will make a three-day normal admission of £40 (with under-16s going free) nicely worthwhile. JN
There isn’t any scarcity of storylines for racing followers to stay up for in 2025
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
On this article
Motorsport.com workers writers
Formulation 1
IndyCar
Basic
MotoGP
WRC
WEC
Lewis Hamilton
Josef Newgarden
Marc Marquez
Kalle Rovanperä
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
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