From Australia to Abu Dhabi

Australia hosts the first of the 24 races this weekend, with Bahrain moved to April as Ramadan runs throughout March. The six sprints of the 2025 season are in Shanghai, Miami, Spa-Francorchamps, Austin, Sao Paulo and Doha. The FIA, in a bid to liven up the jewel in the calendar — Monaco — where overtaking is nigh-on impossible, is imposing a mandatory two-pit stop strategy for the teams. With the traditional three-week summer break in August, the F1 circus pitches up in Abu Dhabi for its final show on Dec 7. "This will be a special year as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the FIA Formula One World Championship, and it's that legacy and experience that allows us to deliver such a strong calendar," said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

Testing times

Even celebrated codebreaker Alan Turing would have a hard job deciphering the times from three days of preseason testing in Bahrain last month. With fuel loads unknown, and team setups kept under wraps, it was hard, if not impossible, to pinpoint the winners and losers.

Russell's Mercedes was top of the pile on the last day, with Sainz's Williams topping the times on the middle day and Norris' McLaren taking the first day honors.

Ferrari was bang in the thick of it, and Verstappen will have been pleased with his final-day showing.

One thing seems certain — the bulk of the teams look closely matched, prompting McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown to predict: "I can see it being super competitive. Last year four teams won multiple races, this year, I could see that being even more. I'm more excited than nervous."

AFP