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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 secure to say that this yr has very a lot belonged to McLaren to this point. They’ve received 11 of the 14 Grands Prix held to this point and are a whopping 299 factors forward of their nearest rival within the constructors’ standings.
If all goes their means, the Woking-based outfit might have the title wrapped up inside only a few weeks, which might be outstanding. Happily for many 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 will probably 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 adverts. You may join through the field under.
In any case, despite the fact that McLaren look to have the groups’ title sewn up, there’s nonetheless lots but to be determined this yr. Listed here are a number of the storylines we’re most enthusiastic about that may play out over the following few months:
An Oscar-worthy title battle
Solely one among McLaren’s excellent racers can turn into World champion this yr. Piastri has led the standings since April and has been the extra constant of the 2 over the course of the yr, however the momentum seems 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 dwelling race for the primary time in F1. However neither McLaren driver has been forward of the opposite by greater than 23 factors all yr and it’s set to be mouth-wateringly tight for the remainder of the yr too.
They’ve behaved themselves to this point, however F1 historical past reveals 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 nicely 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 yr, and extra disillusioned than ever as he continues to wrestle at Ferrari.
His interview after qualifying was a tough watch as Hamilton labelled himself “ineffective” and steered the staff can be higher off changing him. However he did say he can be again after the summer season break and he will probably 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 yr to see if he reveals indicators of discovering his groove once more, forward of what seems like a make-or-break season in 2026 for his goals of turning into F1’s first-ever eight time World champion.
Wolff vs Russell
A battle of wits appears to be happening at Mercedes. The staff held off on handing George Russell a contract extension whereas they have been chasing Max Verstappen, and solely after the Dutchman stated he’s sticking with Crimson Bull for 2026 did staff boss Toto Wolff say that the Brit would “positively” get a brand new deal.
But, pen has but to be put to paper. Russell has had a wonderful season to this point and desires a long-term deal, whereas it appears Mercedes need to maintain their choices open in case Verstappen turns into accessible 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 relating to the way forward for the starlet they consider has the longer term to dominate F1 sooner or later.
A mouth-watering midfield
The battle to be ‘better of the remaining’ behind F1’s massive 4 this yr is poised to be an interesting one. To date, 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 battle appears to be altering with each race weekend and one massive haul, like Aston’s 16-point achieve in Budapest or Nico Hulkenberg’s podium at Silverstone for Sauber, can change every part.
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 each time he can in Pierre Gasly, have given up on this season.
Driver market intrigue
It has been a a lot much less risky driver market than we noticed in 2024, and in comparison with what we’re prone to get subsequent yr, however nonetheless there’s loads of room for intrigue. Eight seats have but to be confirmed for subsequent yr, together with the 2 new ones made accessible by the entry of Cadillac as F1’s eleventh staff in 2026.
Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are believed to be the popular candidates, although each have additionally held talks with Alpine who must 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 function.
Mercedes will certainly retain Russell and Antonelli, which means the opposite three seats nonetheless to be determined are all throughout the Crimson 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 in addition to keep away from being axed in favour of promising British teenager Arvid Lindblad.
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