five storylines for bettors to follow in the 2025 formula one season
The 2025 Formula One season promises more than any of the previous three campaigns. After four consecutive titles for Max Verstappen, three of which were relatively stress-free, the 2025 campaign looks to be an open competition between Lando Norris, Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Oscar Piastri. For those interested in formula one betting, this season offers many exciting opportunities.
The sportsbooks have little to choose between the first four. Norris is the favorite ahead of Verstappen with Hamilton and Leclerc following closely behind. Formula one betting enthusiasts will find it hard to predict the winner.
Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit is the venue for the first race of the season, which takes place on March 16. There are 24 races across an epic campaign, which wraps up at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 7. Many fans participate in formula one betting throughout the season.
Here are five key storylines for bettors to follow in the 2025 Formula One season:
LH44 in the Scuderia
Hamilton joining Ferrari is the biggest driver move since the Scuderia signed four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in 2017. Early signs are positive for Hamilton and his new team, with a smooth working relationship developing between Hamilton and Leclerc.
The two drivers are bound to be closely matched on track, though, so time will tell if this situation remains amicable. Ferrari might have to choose a clear lead driver if they are in a nip-and-tuck battle for the Drivers’ Championship. Do they dare pick Leclerc over the seven-time world champion? After spending over half a decade in the Scuderia, would Leclerc obey team orders to support Hamilton?
Before the first race of the season, Leclerc is a best price of +550 for the title. Hamilton is +750.
Last season was the only time Leclerc has finished within 100 points of the eventual champion. No one can question the Monégasque’s talent, and he’s likely approaching his peak, but we’d keep a close eye on Hamilton’s Melbourne performance given that price. Formula one betting could see significant changes based on this outcome.
Ferrari were quick in preseason testing. They have a car capable of competing for the championship, but the Prancing Horse has too often got in its own way over the last decade. Will that continue with Hamilton on board?
End of Red Bull’s dominance?
Red Bull didn’t learn much at preseason testing. Verstappen was forced to experiment with the car, which has retained the troublesome understeer from last season. A water leak cost Liam Lawson some vital track time as he aims to provide more to the team than Sergio Perez did in 2024.
Verstappen won the title on the back of a spectacular first-half of last season. The Red Bull didn’t have the pace to match McLaren in the second half – they’ll need to make major in-season improvements to give the Dutchman a shot at five consecutive titles in 2025.
Bettors should follow Lawson’s performances closely. With the top three (maybe four, more on that later) teams set to be fiercely competing for podium spots, having Lawson in the mix will only help Red Bull strategically. He needs to massively exceed expectations for Christian Horner’s team to be worth backing for the Constructors’ Championship. This will also be critical for formula one betting strategies throughout the season.
Best of the rest battle
Williams have their best driver pairing in recent memory. Alpine were clearly the best of the rest in preseason testing, with Pierre Gasly topping the timing charts for a period on the Friday. Aston Martin aren’t seemingly focusing on 2026 after hiring Adrian Newey, but the car is seemingly easier to drive than it was 12 months ago.
The leading quartet of teams – McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes – are going to dominate the points positions all season. That leaves only a couple of places up for grabs.
The competition for those spots is going to be fascinating to watch for neutrals and bettors alike. These three teams, in particular, need to be frequently analyzed when it comes to betting on top 10 finishes. Any upgrades or advantage needs to be taken into account given how close they are likely to be, race-to-race. This will keep formula one betting engaging all season long.
Does Piastri give McLaren a decision to make?
McLaren walked a thin line at times in 2024. Norris was ultimately Verstappen’s nearest challenger, but Piastri was fast enough to give the Woking-based team some strategic dilemmas when it came to prioritizing one driver over the other.
This conundrum could rear its head again in 2025. The stakes, if anything, will be higher, with Norris favored for the Drivers’ Championship, and McLaren favored by the sportsbooks to record consecutive Constructors’ Championships for the first time in well over 30 years.
Yes, the McLaren is the fastest on the grid heading into the opening race, but their lead isn’t insurmountable. Their margin for error is small with Ferrari breathing down their necks.
Their drivers have no experience entering a season as favorites, and 2024 was their first real taste of a title-contending car. Watch out for pressure mounting from Hamilton, Leclerc, and Verstappen. Formula one betting dynamics could shift based on early performances.
Mercedes working their way back
Mercedes probably enjoyed testing more than any other team. Kimi Antonelli and George Russell got a lot of track time, excelling on long and short runs.
The poor weather in Bahrain might have worked in the Silver Arrows’ favor, though, after the car impressed in colder weather last year and struggled when the weather warmed up.
Antonelli exhibited great car control and good pace, inspiring more confidence as a second driver than Lawson. Russell was quietly confident about the car, which seems like it will give him a real chance of adding to his tally of three race wins. Fans of formula one betting should monitor these developments closely.
With their struggles under these regulations and having waved goodbye to Hamilton, it would be easy to forget about Mercedes as a race-winning team. They might not finish in the top two in the Constructors’, but there are going to be weekends where they have the fastest car.
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