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The wait is sort of over! Method 1 followers all around the globe have been very affected person over the previous couple of weeks whereas everybody within the paddock has had a little bit of a breather, however it’s race week as soon as once more with the Dutch Grand Prix kicking off the ultimate 10 rounds of the 2025 season.
It’s protected to say that this 12 months has very a lot belonged to McLaren to date. They’ve received 11 of the 14 Grands Prix held to date and are a whopping 299 factors forward of their nearest rival within the constructors’ standings.
If all goes their approach, the Woking-based outfit may have the title wrapped up inside just some weeks, which might be exceptional. Luckily for individuals who need some competitors on the entrance, issues stays tremendous tight within the drivers’ championship with Lando Norris simply 9 factors behind team-mate Oscar Piastri.
In fact, we might be proper there masking all of it throughout the Mirror Sport web site in addition to out print version. And, new for 2025, we even have Pit Lane Chronicle – a FREE F1 e-newsletter which delivers all of the tales it’s good to find out about straight to your inbox, weekly and with no advertisements. You’ll be able to join by way of the field under.
In any case, regardless that McLaren look to have the groups’ title sewn up, there’s nonetheless lots but to be determined this 12 months. Listed below are a number of the storylines we’re most enthusiastic about that can play out over the following few months:
An Oscar-worthy title combat
Solely one in all McLaren’s very good racers can turn into World champion this 12 months. Piastri has led the standings since April and has been the extra constant of the 2 over the course of the 12 months, however the momentum appears to be with Norris proper now.
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The Brit received three Grands Prix out of 4 earlier than the summer season break, together with a red-letter day at Silverstone the place he received his house race for the primary time in F1. However neither McLaren driver has been forward of the opposite by greater than 23 factors all 12 months and it’s set to be mouth-wateringly tight for the remainder of the 12 months too.
They’ve behaved themselves to date, however F1 historical past exhibits that team-mates not often get alongside once they’re in direct competitors with one another for the title. We’ll have our popcorn on the prepared…
Fightback or flop for Hamilton?
Issues did not finish too effectively for Lewis Hamilton simply earlier than the summer season break. He left the Hungarian Grand Prix having failed to attain a single level over a race weekend for the primary time all 12 months, and extra disillusioned than ever as he continues to battle at Ferrari.
His interview after qualifying was a troublesome watch as Hamilton labelled himself “ineffective” and prompt the crew can be higher off changing him. However he did say he can be again after the summer season break and he might be decided to show issues round.
A title cost has been out of the query for a while now, however all eyes will nonetheless be on Hamilton for the remainder of this 12 months to see if he exhibits indicators of discovering his groove once more, forward of what appears like a make-or-break season in 2026 for his desires of turning into F1’s first-ever eight time World champion.
Wolff vs Russell
A battle of wits appears to be going down at Mercedes. The crew held off on handing George Russell a contract extension whereas they have been chasing Max Verstappen, and solely after the Dutchman mentioned he’s sticking with Pink Bull for 2026 did crew boss Toto Wolff say that the Brit would “undoubtedly” get a brand new deal.
But, pen has but to be put to paper. Russell has had a wonderful season to date and needs a long-term deal, whereas it appears Mercedes wish to preserve their choices open in case Verstappen turns into obtainable subsequent season and would like solely a one-year extension.
Rookie teenager Kimi Antonelli additionally wants new phrases however Mercedes are unlikely to take any dangers with regards to the way forward for the starlet they imagine has the long run to dominate F1 sooner or later.
A mouth-watering midfield
The battle to be ‘better of the remaining’ behind F1’s large 4 this 12 months is poised to be an enchanting one. To this point, it’s Williams who’ve been the stand-out performers within the midfield with boss James Vowles beginning to see the fruits of his efforts to awaken the game’s sleeping large.
They’re fifth with 70 factors, 18 greater than Aston Martin one place behind. However the stability of energy in that midfield combat appears to be altering with each race weekend and one large haul, like Aston’s 16-point acquire in Budapest or Nico Hulkenberg’s podium at Silverstone for Sauber, can change every thing.
And that is why you continue to cannot rule out the likes of Racing Bulls and Haas, on 45 and 35 factors respectively in eighth and ninth place. Solely Alpine, all-time low and with just one driver scoring factors every time he can in Pierre Gasly, have given up on this season.
Driver market intrigue
It has been a a lot much less unstable driver market than we noticed in 2024, and in comparison with what we’re more likely to get subsequent 12 months, however nonetheless there’s loads of room for intrigue. Eight seats have but to be confirmed for subsequent 12 months, together with the 2 new ones made obtainable by the entry of Cadillac as F1’s eleventh crew in 2026.
Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are believed to be the popular candidates, although each have additionally held talks with Alpine who have to both get Franco Colapinto firing or discover another person who can ship. Mick Schumacher has additionally been in talks and may very well be in line for a reserve position.
Mercedes will certainly retain Russell and Antonelli, which means the opposite three seats nonetheless to be determined are all throughout the Pink Bull household. Yuki Tsunoda should do extra to earn an extended keep as Verstappen’s team-mate on the high outfit whereas, at sister squad Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar are combating not solely to earn a promotion but additionally to keep away from being axed in favour of promising British teenager Arvid Lindblad.
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