Formula 1 2025: The names to watch out for this season

Lewis Hamilton’s move to Scuderia Ferrari has captivated a lot of attention and enthusiasts are ready to witness his first season side to side with Charles Leclerc. Can the 7-times Formula 1 world champion triumph again in his new colours and become the most winning driver ever?

Before the first race begins, the title fight promises to be thrilling. Each grand Prix will be packed with excitement for both fans and bettors. For each and every race, the odds are subject to change as the competition progresses, influenced by factors such as the condition of the rider and his vehicle. Additionally, odds can vary from one operator to another.

This is why a comparison tool like Oddschecker US can be useful, as it compares odds and offers from various online platforms, providing users with the best possible gaming experience before a Grand Prix. It could be wise to visit the platform before betting on Hamilton’s success, on another title run for Max Verstappen or, maybe, on a consecration season for Lando Norris.

We are very close from the official start of the Formula 1 season but, obviously, drivers are already testing their cars and cementing their skills to get ready for the first race. At the moment, there are six drivers who are considered the favourites for the championship. Let’s see what are the names to watch out for.

Max Verstappen must be the first name to count in among the favourites. He won the last four Formula 1 titles straight and seems more than ready to do so again. His team wants to go all-in because, even if they are obviously happy to have the best driver in the circuit, they didn’t win the constructors’ title in 2024.

In Formula 1, the teams’ trophy is as important as the racers’ one, because it is a prize for the whole team, from the engineers to the front office. Thus, everyone wants to win it. Verstappen wasn’t brilliant during the latest tests, but he thinks he’s on the right path to get the best out of his car.

Russell is the true dark horse candidate. He doesn’t have the winning pedigree of his direct adversaries and a lot of analysts think Mercedes isn’t on the same level of the other top teams, but when asked about his feelings towards the next season, the Brit was more than confident in his chances. Of course, whoever knows his nature was expecting that sort of answer, since Russell is that confident all the time. Don’t count him out, though.

Let’s check the heavyweights, shall we? Leclerc’s season could be his most difficult up to date because he has a new mate in the paddock who is pretty good behind the wheel and is a media darling. However, the Monegasque doesn’t seem to feel a lot of pressure and has been very fast during the latest batch of tests in Bahrain.

Sir Lewis is not the favourite just because his star seemed to be fading away in recent years. However, everyone knows how fast and determined he is and it shouldn’t take more than a decent car to put him among the drivers to watch during next season.

When there’s a will, there’s a way and in Ferrari there is an iron will to go back to the past, to those seasons where La Rossa was the dominant force. Is Hamilton up to the task? In Maranello they are pretty sure he and Leclerc could be a terrific one-two punch.

Last but not least, here are the McLaren’s boys, put together because they just won last year’s Formula 1constructor trophy together. Andrea Stella, the team’s principal, stays cool about his cars and doesn’t consider his team the favourite. But their potential is on everyone’s radar.

McLaren has been ahead of its own schedule for a couple of months and, even if they don't have the best drivers around, the car is fast, solid and reliable. It could be more than enough for the very talented Norris and his capable number two, Piastri, to win again among the constructors.

Concerning the racers’ title, neither Norris nor Piastri are considered in the same league with Verstappen or Leclerc. But if McLaren manage to win a couple of Grand Prixs early on, with no clear favourite showing up to the task, this consideration could quickly grow old.