As the sun sets on the opening chapter of the 2025 Formula 1 season, it’s clear this year’s championship fight will be anything but predictable. While McLaren’s continued dominance may not have come as a surprise following their 2024 Constructors’ Championship triumph, the way they’ve sustained that supremacy – balanced delicately between two rising stars – has set a fascinating tone for the season.
Four races in, and the narrative is already rich: McLaren on top, Red Bull regrouping, Mercedes mounting a quiet resurgence, and Ferrari still searching for synergy with their newest signing, Lewis Hamilton. The standings remain tightly packed, hinting at a season that may go all the way to the wire.
A Battle Within the Papaya
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have emerged not just as teammates but as serious championship contenders. McLaren’s decision to support both equally has paid off, though the closeness in their performance raises a question: how long can internal harmony last?
Norris opened the season with a decisive victory in Melbourne at the Australian Grand Prix, showcasing confidence and pace. But Piastri hit back immediately in Shanghai, taking the win at the Chinese Grand Prix. His momentum continued in Bahrain, where he dominated for his second win of the season, tightening the championship battle to just a three-point gap behind Norris.
“It was a messy race from me,” Norris admitted after Bahrain. “I made too many mistakes… but it’s a great place to be when you’re leading the championship and still improving.”
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella praised Norris’s honesty and leadership, saying:
“Lando is being incredibly honest with himself and the team. The car’s competitive, yes, but he’s not relying on it – he’s pushing himself to be better, and that’s the sign of a champion.”
Red Bull: No Longer Untouchable
Max Verstappen reminded the paddock why he’s a three-time world champion with a strong win at Suzuka in the Japanese Grand Prix. But in the other rounds, he’s found himself off the pace – particularly in Bahrain, where he finished sixth.
“To finish P6 at the end was the best that we could do… This was not the weekend that we wanted.”
Red Bull’s RB21 is still competitive, but the gap has closed. Whether Verstappen and the team can respond quickly enough will determine if they remain true title challengers – or spend the season playing catch-up.
Russell Steady at Mercedes
George Russell has emerged as the quiet workhorse of 2025. Three podiums in four races – including a gritty P2 finish in Bahrain – have kept him within reach of the leaders and helped lift Mercedes to second in the Constructors’ standings.
“That was a really challenging race. We had some problems in the last 12 laps including a brake-by-wire failure… bringing the car home in P2 is mega.”
As Mercedes transitions to a new era without Hamilton, Russell has shown maturity and pace. With every race, he cements his role as the team’s new frontman.
Hamilton’s Learning Curve at Ferrari
The 2025 season marks a dramatic new chapter for Lewis Hamilton, now in red at Ferrari. But the early rounds have not gone to plan. Hamilton has yet to secure a podium, and the SF-25 has proven a difficult car to tame.
“It really does feel so alien. I’m adjusting myself to the car… it drives so much differently.”
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc has kept Ferrari in the fight with steady top-five finishes. The team currently sits fourth in the Constructors’ Championship – a respectable start, but below the lofty expectations surrounding Hamilton’s arrival.
2025 F1 Standings After Four Races
Drivers’ Championship (Top 5)
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 77 pts
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 74 pts
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 69 pts
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 63 pts
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 32 pts
Constructors’ Championship (Top 5)
- McLaren – 151 pts
- Mercedes – 93 pts
- Red Bull – 71 pts
- Ferrari – 57 pts
- Haas – 20 pts
Abu Dhabi Awaits: Watch the Finale in Style
As the season progresses, all eyes are on the iconic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit – a race that could decide the title if this tight battle continues. From dramatic dusk finishes to fireworks on and off the track, Abu Dhabi is Formula 1’s modern crown jewel.
For fans wanting to experience the finale in unparalleled luxury, ES Sport offers exclusive F1 hospitality packages that deliver unforgettable experiences. These include:
- Premium view options covering the ES Sport Area, Paddock Club, North and West Grandstands, Sunset Lounge and Shams Suite.
- Access to the pit garages and podium celebrations
- World-class gourmet catering
- Entry to the vibrant F1 Fanzone and Yasalam After-Race Concerts
Whether you’re a corporate group or a lifelong F1 fan, ES Sport ensures your Abu Dhabi race weekend is as elite as the drivers on the track.
Next Stop: Saudi Arabia
The next round takes us to the high-speed streets of Jeddah, a circuit known for its adrenaline-fueled layouts and unforgiving corners. With just eight points separating the top three drivers, it’s all to play for.
Will McLaren continue their charge? Can Verstappen bounce back? Or will Mercedes or Ferrari disrupt the order?
The road to the championship is long – and the best chapters may be yet to come.
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