F1 2025 (2 Viewers)

[Saddlebrains]

With Testing kicking off today i thought now is a good time to start this years thread

It has all the ingredients for an all timer this year. Teams all converging onto similar performance levels, quality drivers across all top teams to battle it out, and new youngsters coming through

Of course the big one, Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. Will he have a fairytale 8th title?

How will Kimi Antonelli, the 'next Verstappen' fare?

Will Lando Norris show some bollocks for a change and have a real run at the title?

For me, I can't see Max winning a 5th in a row

Leclerc will have the edge over Lewis

Piastri will be a lot closer to Lando than last year

George Russell goes to another level as team leader

I can genuinely see a multiple way fight, Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Russell, Norris and Piastri all with a genuine title shot

 

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[SkyBlueSoul]

Agreed that this could be an incredible year.

Lando has obviously said he's learned a lot and this is his year, and that he's ready to take the fight to Max etc. but we need to actually see it. If Piastri sorts his qualifying out it's going to be a very close run thing between them.

I'm wondering if Ferrari is where we see the main fall out. I know he said it didn't affect him, but Hamilton knowing he was leaving Mercedes clearly made it "easier" to be challenged by Russell. He won't be happy if Leclerc is consistently beating him.

Funny to see Horner getting booed at the F175 thing too. (I didn't watch it, nor make it through more than a couple of minutes of the highlights). The statement by the FIA was funny as well but they really need to fuck off and let the sport be a sport. No room for abuse, but a bit of pantomime booing is fine.

 

[SkyBlueSoul]

I went to the F1 Exhibition in London a few weeks ago as well, well worth it if you haven't been/were considering it. Something for everyone who likes the sport: cars to ogle at, techy bits doing deeper dives into how the engines/aero etc work, loads of history memorabilia.

The "best" bit for me was seeing Grosjean's car from the crash in Bahrain. Haunting.

 

[Houchens Head]

The "best" bit for me was seeing Grosjean's car from the crash in Bahrain. Haunting.

He was one of my most hated drivers. He was bloody dangerous on the track, always seeming to take other drivers out. But watching that awful smash in Bahrain was really scarey. The car was engulfed in flames in seconds, yet the swift action of the stewards made sure Grosjean was pulled to safety. Thankfully, he was fine.

 

[Saddlebrains]

I went to the F1 Exhibition in London a few weeks ago as well, well worth it if you haven't been/were considering it. Something for everyone who likes the sport: cars to ogle at, techy bits doing deeper dives into how the engines/aero etc work, loads of history memorabilia.

The "best" bit for me was seeing Grosjean's car from the crash in Bahrain. Haunting.

Was eyeing up the exhibition but by the time I can go it will be gone .


Looking at the long run times, Mclaren have made an absolute rocket and should be clear fastest

Then seems to be Mercedes and Red Bull, with Ferrari seemingly miles away.....

 

[Saddlebrains]

He was one of my most hated drivers. He was bloody dangerous on the track, always seeming to take other drivers out. But watching that awful smash in Bahrain was really scarey. The car was engulfed in flames in seconds, yet the swift action of the stewards made sure Grosjean was pulled to safety. Thankfully, he was fine.

When it happened I genuinely thought he was dead, and that no one would get out of that

 

[SHUNT31]

Was eyeing up the exhibition but by the time I can go it will be gone .


Looking at the long run times, Mclaren have made an absolute rocket and should be clear fastest

Then seems to be Mercedes and Red Bull, with Ferrari seemingly miles away.....

Not sure Ferrari are miles away. Car looked very heavy in the majority of runs, but driveable. They’re behind McLaren for sure, but closely matched by Mercedes.

Red Bull the ones that seem to be lagging behind. Looked awful to drive at points today.

 

[Saddlebrains]

Not sure Ferrari are miles away. Car looked very heavy in the majority of runs, but driveable. They’re behind McLaren for sure, but closely matched by Mercedes.

Red Bull the ones that seem to be lagging behind. Looked awful to drive at points today.

That last part makes me smile

If I'm to guess the pecking order off what we've seen the last 3 days

1. Mclaren
2. Mercedes
3. Ferrari
4. Red Bull
5. Williams
6. Alpine
7. Haas
8. Aston Martin
9. VCarb
10. Sauber

 

[SHUNT31]

That last part makes me smile

If I'm to guess the pecking order off what we've seen the last 3 days

1. Mclaren
2. Mercedes
3. Ferrari
4. Red Bull
5. Williams
6. Alpine
7. Haas
8. Aston Martin
9. VCarb
10. Sauber

You don’t think Red Bull struggled?

Either way, probably my order with Merc/Ferrari pretty level.

Also worth noting it was cold and Merc have historically over performed when it’s cold so will be interesting come Melbourne.

 

[Saddlebrains]

You don’t think Red Bull struggled?

Either way, probably my order with Merc/Ferrari pretty level.

Also worth noting it was cold and Merc have historically over performed when it’s cold so will be interesting come Melbourne.

No i agree they did struggle, the reason it made me laugh is because I'm glad they seem to be lagging behind finally!

That is true regarding Merc. Williams seem to have worked wonders over the winter which is good to see

 

[SHUNT31]

No i agree they did struggle, the reason it made me laugh is because I'm glad they seem to be lagging behind finally!

That is true regarding Merc. Williams seem to have worked wonders over the winter which is good to see

Ah I see. Always thought you were a Max fan

Think Williams are the only team that retained their chassis from last year and have put a lot of resources into this year from what I heard in commentary. They finally have two good drivers for the first time in a long while.

 

[Saddlebrains]

Ah I see. Always thought you were a Max fan

Think Williams are the only team that retained their chassis from last year and have put a lot of resources into this year from what I heard in commentary. They finally have two good drivers for the first time in a long while.

I was an anyone that could break the Mercedes dominance fan haha, so i was backing Max in 21 and 22

Anyway, finally, it's race week!