MELBOURNE, Australia — Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton racing a Ferrari for the first time. Four-time reigning champion Max Verstappen arriving without a lot of mileage in his Red Bull. Lando Norris helping McLaren set a benchmark with his pace in testing.
Formula 1 is expecting a hypercompetitive milestone 75th anniversary season in 2025, and it starts this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix. There’s no shortage of unknowns in terms of the pecking order.
Most of the headlines ahead of Sunday’s Australian GP have revolved around Hamilton’s move to Ferrari from Mercedes.
The normally relaxed news conference ahead of race weekend at Albert Park was overflowing with journalists and photographers Thursday to hear from a rejuvenated Hamilton about how much he’s enjoying the prancing horse-ride.
The 40-year-old British driver is going into his 19th season in F1 but has had a different outlook since his first day in January at the Scuderia’s Maranello HQ, where he’s teammates with Charles Leclerc.