Season start: Formula 1 for the 75-year-old: all against Verstappen?

New driver pairings in three of the four top teams also with potential to the stable. Six new faces that have never started as a regular driver in a season in the motorsport king class. 24 Grand Prix from Australia to Abu Dhabi with additional six sprint decisions.

And a defending champion who, on the way to the desired fifth World Cup triumph in succession, also emotional private moments this year are imminent with the birth of the first child. As well as a German that writes Formula 1 story.

The drivers

There are 20 drivers at the start again, but six of them either have not raced or at least not yet fully contested. In the so -called rookies, the only 18 -year -old Andrea Kimi Antonelli is particularly important. The Italian took over the cockpit at Mercedes from the seven -time world champion Hamilton, who will drive for Ferrari from this year.

For quite a few, this is the ultimate dream pairing: the superstar and the only racing team that has been there since the first World Cup year 1950. If Hamilton also ended the scuderia, which has now almost been two decades, and crowned themselves for the eighth time to the world champion and therefore sole record champion – which would be going on in Italy, is hardly imaginable.

The 40 -year Brit does not want to leave any doubts about his new title because of his age. “You can’t compare me with another 40-year-old Formula 1 driver in history, neither in the past nor in the present,” he said: “Because they are not like me.”

But he has to prevail internally: Charles Leclerc is willing to win the World Cup. The Monegasse will not even be beaten, and he has known the team for six years.

At Mercedes, George Russell is the leader, logically, continued to move at Red Bull, who had been received with boot at the big presentation show in London.

That will certainly not affect him. He also believes that the upcoming birth of the first child. “To be honest, not much will change,” he said. “As far as driving is concerned, it shouldn’t change anything. But it is exciting and it is difficult to put into words until the baby is there. “

In any case, in the test drives in Bahrain Verstappen, a fairly balanced and sovereign impression left the new car no big problems. However, according to the assessments, the McLaren could be the stronger car. And at the traditional British team, they rely on a proven duo with Vice World Champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piatri, unlike Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari.

The cars

The differences to the previous year’s models are usually only in the details. The large standard reform only follows in 2026. After all, the red of the new Ferrari is a little darker, the Mercedes for it again in silver and black. The most striking new paint is the new racing Bull: it is largely white.

The German factor

Nico Hülkenberg saves the German racing driver, again. His Formula 1 career began in 2010, the native of the Rhineland never made it into a top team, he did not get a victory yet, and “Hulk” has not yet been on the podium. But his qualities are undisputed, it was not without reason that he came back after a time as a substitute.

After the departure of Haas, he should now shape the designated Audi factory team (from 2026) at Sauber. The 37-year-old teammate is the 20-year-old Brazilian newcomer Gabriel Bortoleto. It is open to what extent the light positive trend from the end of last season can be taken into the new.

Meanwhile, Hülkenberg’s former team is writing a German Formula 1 story this year. Laura Müller rose at Haas to racing engineer, so she will be the first and most important contact for the Frenchman Esteban Ocon on the race weekends.

The racing calendar

24 Grand Prix as last year are scheduled. It starts on March 16 in the Australian Melbourne. New courses are not there this year, three times – in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas – is driven in the home of the American Formula 1 owners. The racing series avoids Germany again. The final will increase in Abu Dhabi on December 7th.

The special challenge

The big control break with the aim of a more sustainable Formula 1 will be available next year. Working on the new engines and new cars In addition to the current season, the manufacturers and teams will present a very special challenge this year. The closer the World Cup fight becomes, the longer the top teams will want to develop their current model. Nobody knows how the hierarchy will change with the new rules from 2026.