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The wait is sort of over! Components 1 followers everywhere in 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 up to now. They’ve gained 11 of the 14 Grands Prix held up to now and are a whopping 299 factors forward of their nearest rival within the constructors’ standings.
If all goes their manner, the Woking-based outfit might have the title wrapped up inside only a few weeks, which might be outstanding. Thankfully 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.
After all, we can 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 publication which delivers all of the tales it is advisable to learn about straight to your inbox, weekly and with no advertisements. You may enroll by way of the field beneath.
In spite of everything, although McLaren look to have the groups’ title sewn up, there’s nonetheless loads but to be determined this yr. Listed below are among the storylines we’re most enthusiastic about that may play out over the following few months:
An Oscar-worthy title combat
Solely one among McLaren’s very good 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 gained three Grands Prix out of 4 earlier than the summer season break, together with a red-letter day at Silverstone the place he gained his residence 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 thus far, however F1 historical past reveals that team-mates not often get alongside after 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 prompt the crew can be higher off changing him. However he did say he can be again after the summer season break and he can 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 changing into F1’s first-ever eight time World champion.
Wolff vs Russell
A battle of wits appears to be happening at Mercedes. The crew held off on handing George Russell a contract extension whereas they had been chasing Max Verstappen, and solely after the Dutchman stated he’s sticking with Purple Bull for 2026 did crew 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 superb season up to now and needs a long-term deal, whereas it appears Mercedes wish to maintain their choices open in case Verstappen turns into obtainable subsequent season and would favor 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 consider has the longer term to dominate F1 sooner or later.
A mouth-watering midfield
The battle to be ‘better of the remainder’ behind F1’s large 4 this yr is poised to be an interesting one. So far, 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 steadiness 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 little 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 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 more likely 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 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 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 position.
Mercedes will certainly retain Russell and Antonelli, that means the opposite three seats nonetheless to be determined are all throughout the Purple Bull household. Yuki Tsunoda should do extra to earn an extended keep as Verstappen’s team-mate on the prime outfit whereas, at sister squad Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar are preventing 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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