FIVE THINGS SHAKING UP THE 2025 FORMULA 1 SEASON

WE'RE NOT JUST WATCHING another year of racing—we're in the middle of a major shift. While some teams are going all-in for results this year, others are clearly playing the long game, already focusing on the big regulation changes coming in 2026. This mix of short-term gains and long-term planning has created one of the most unpredictable and exciting seasons in recent memory. From shock performances to major driver moves, there's been no shortage of drama on and off the track.

- WORDS DRUMIL MODI

WILLIAMS RACING IS BACK!

Yup, you read that right—Williams is having a moment. With 55 points on the board already, this is their best season in seven years. And we're not even at the halfway mark. If the momentum continues, this could be the team's best performance in over a decade.

Alex Albon has been leading the charge with three solid P5 finishes (Australia, Miami, and Imola), and he's currently sitting eighth in the drivers' championship. Not bad at all for a team that was on nobody's radar just a few months ago. Carlos Sainz is still settling in but has chipped in 13 points so far.

Credit where it's due, team boss James Vowles has been putting in the work behind the scenes. He revamped the design process last year and is clearly playing the long game with the 2026 regulations in mind.

Albon's even said he sees himself fighting for the championship title in 2027. Ambitious? Maybe. But for the first time in years, it doesn't sound totally crazy.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR?

The 2025 rookie class is stacked—Antonelli, Hadjar, Bearman—but let’s be honest, Kimi Antonelli has stolen the spotlight. His breakthrough moment came at the Canadian GP, where he became the first Italian driver to stand on the F1 podium, and if that wasn’t enough, he also became the third youngest driver in the sport to finish in the top three. Not bad at all for someone in their rookie season.