The 2025 Formula One season is approaching the end of its summer break. Before the teams’ personnel and drivers took their vacations, they had already crossed the halfway mark of an action-packed season.
Many in the paddock are only now getting over the intense start, which featured nine races in just 12 weeks. The excitement was amplified by several significant storylines, with the title rivalry between McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri being the most compelling.
The shifting momentum between Norris and points leader Piastri has made this season far more captivating than 2023, when Max Verstappen dominated every event for Red Bull. Verstappen’s remarkable performances, including victories in Japan and Imola, along with his aggressive streak, have elevated the 2025 season even further.
While the McLaren drivers have had one collision and narrowly avoided two others, they remain on good terms for now. However, McLaren’s dominance has dampened expectations that 2025 would feature a more competitive title chase, with McLaren potentially clinching a consecutive constructors’ championship as soon as the Baku race in late September.
In the midfield, the season has provided both excitement and disappointment. Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari has turned from an anticipated dream to a challenging reality, alongside the ups and downs faced by a promising rookie class.
As we review our pre-season predictions, it’s evident that most were inaccurate. Thus, our panel has been given two “mulligans” to revise their forecasts this summer, alongside the usual double-down for the remainder of the season.
This will allow you to measure their insights against your own expectations for 2025 while I enjoy the certainty of having joined The Athletic in April, leaving me confidently accurate in this analysis until we begin forecasting next season.
