2025 Formula 1 Season: Schedule, Teams, and Regulation Changes

2025 Formula 1 Season: Schedule, Teams, and Regulation Changes

What to Expect in Formula 1’s 2025 Season

The 2025 Formula 1 season is poised to bring a fresh wave of excitement, with dramatic driver moves, exiting new talent and key regulation changes designed to enhance competition. Here’s a rundown of the 2025 season, including the full schedule, team changes, and new regulations that will define the championship battle.

2025 Race Calendar: Dates and Locations

The 2025 F1 calendar features 24 Grands Prix across various iconic circuits. Below is the complete schedule:

Round Grand Prix Circuit Date
1 Australian Grand Prix Albert Park, Melbourne March 14-16
2 Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai International March 21-23
3 Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka Circuit April 4-6
4 Bahrain Grand Prix Bahrain International April 11-13
5 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Jeddah Corniche Circuit April 18-20
6 Miami Grand Prix Miami International Autodrome May 2-4
7 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Imola May 16-18
8 Monaco Grand Prix Circuit de Monaco May 23-25
9 Spanish Grand Prix Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya May 30 – June 1
10 Canadian Grand Prix Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve June 13-15
11 Austrian Grand Prix Red Bull Ring June 27-29
12 British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit July 4-6
13 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps July 25-27
14 Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring August 1-3
15 Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort August 29-31
16 Italian Grand Prix Monza September 5-7
17 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Baku City Circuit September 19-21
18 Singapore Grand Prix Marina Bay Street Circuit October 3-5
19 United States Grand Prix Circuit of The Americas October 17-19
20 Mexican Grand Prix Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez October 24-26
21 Brazilian Grand Prix Interlagos November 7-9
22 Las Vegas Grand Prix Las Vegas Strip Circuit November 20-22
23 Qatar Grand Prix Lusail International November 28-30
24 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Yas Marina Circuit December 5-7

Team Changes for the 2025 Season

2025 brings a wave of major driver moves, team reshuffles, and exciting rookie debuts. With Lewis Hamilton's shocking switch to Ferrari and a mix of fresh faces joining the grid, this season is set to be one of the most unpredictable in years. Here’s a breakdown of the most notable team changes:

Ferrari: The Hamilton Era Begins

  • Incoming: Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton makes a high-profile switch from Mercedes, forming a powerhouse lineup with Charles Leclerc.
  • Outgoing: Carlos Sainz Jr. departs after four seasons with Ferrari, securing a new seat at Williams.

Mercedes: A New Generation

  • Incoming: Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a highly-rated Mercedes junior, steps up from Formula 2 to partner George Russell in a new-look lineup.
  • Outgoing: Hamilton's departure marks the end of a historic partnership, leaving Mercedes in a rebuilding phase.

Red Bull: The Lawson Promotion

  • Incoming: Liam Lawson is rewarded for his impressive substitute appearances, earning a full-time seat alongside Max Verstappen.
  • Outgoing: Sergio Pérez exits after several seasons as Verstappen’s teammate.

Williams: A Big-Name Arrival

  • Incoming: Carlos Sainz Jr. joins the team, replacing Logan Sargeant, and teams up with Alexander Albon in an effort to push Williams up the grid.

Haas: A Fresh Start

  • Incoming: Esteban Ocon moves from Alpine, while young talent Oliver Bearman gets his F1 debut after an impressive Formula 2 campaign.

Stake F1 Team (formerly Sauber): Major Overhaul

  • Incoming: Veteran Nico Hülkenberg returns, and Gabriel Bortoleto makes his F1 debut.
  • Outgoing: Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu both leave the team as part of its transition before the Audi takeover.

Alpine: A Youthful Gamble

  • Incoming: Jack Doohan, Alpine’s long-time reserve driver, steps up to a full-time race seat alongside Pierre Gasly.
  • Outgoing: Esteban Ocon departs for Haas, leaving Alpine with a fresh but unproven lineup.

Racing Bulls (formerly RB): A New Identity

  • Incoming: Isack Hadjar makes his Formula 1 debut, replacing Liam Lawson and partnering Yuki Tsunoda.
  • Outgoing: Liam Lawson is promoted to Red Bull, leaving a gap for another rookie driver.

Team Rebrand: Racing Bulls Take Flight

  • Rebranding: RB (formerly AlphaTauri) rebrands as Racing Bulls, further strengthening its connection to Red Bull Racing.

Thrilling new rivalries, fresh narratives, and a grid packed with talent. Who will rise, and who will struggle? The fight for supremacy is about to get even more intense.

Notable Regulation Changes in 2025

Several key regulatory updates have been implemented for the 2025 season:

  • Elimination of Fastest Lap Point: The bonus point awarded for setting the fastest lap in a Grand Prix has been removed. This change aims to simplify race strategies and place greater emphasis on overall race performance.
  • Increased Minimum Driver Weight: The minimum driver weight has been raised from 80kg to 82kg, with the car's minimum weight without fuel correspondingly increasing from 798kg to 800kg. This adjustment is intended to promote driver well-being, particularly for those who are taller or heavier.
  • Enhanced Driver Cooling Systems: In response to extreme heat conditions experienced in previous seasons, a driver cooling kit has been introduced. This system will be mandated by the FIA in high-temperature conditions to ensure driver safety and performance.
  • Enhanced Young Driver Participation in Free Practice Sessions: Teams are now required to allocate two free practice sessions per car to young drivers, doubling the previous mandate of one session per season. This initiative aims to provide emerging talent with increased exposure to F1 machinery and race weekend environments, thereby facilitating their development and readiness for future competitive roles.

With a mix of seasoned champions, rising stars, and evolving technical rules, the sport continues to push the boundaries of innovation and competition. As the lights go out on the first race, all eyes will be on how these changes shape the championship battle, delivering the drama, strategy, and high-speed action that make Formula 1 the pinnacle of motorsport.