Editorโs Note: This story originally appeared in Volume III of B.H. Magazine. For access to future issues, subscribe here.
As Formula 1 celebrates its 75th anniversary, and welcomes a new official timekeeper in TAG Heuer, the 2025 season feels like a defining moment for the sport. Between Sir Lewis Hamiltonโs monumental move to Ferrari, Max Verstappenโs hunt for his fifth consecutive title, McLarenโs renewed engineering prowess, and a wave of fearless young talent joining the grid, the stage is set for high drama โ and what could be one of F1โs most captivating seasons to date.
The Clock Strikes TAG
TAG Heuer makes a triumphant return as the official timekeeper; having inked its place within history as the first luxury brand to sponsor a Formula 1 team in 1971. Over the course of more than seven decades, TAG Heuer has been part of 239 race wins, 613 podium finishes, as well as 15 Driversโ Championships, cementing its status as one of the most successful names ever associated with the elite motorsport. While TAG Heuer returns to its position of official timekeeper for the 2025 Formula 1 season, it never left the sport.
โThe dimension of Formula 1 is absolutely unbelievable today. Itโs absolutely universal,โ TAG Heuerโs CEO Antoine Pin says to Boss Hunting. โItโs much bigger than it was in the past and I think the other dimension thatโs changed โ which is very interesting because of how much it connects with TAG โ is its emotional aspect.โ
โSomebody said to me recently, โTAG Heuer expresses emotion beyond technology,โ and I love this comment because itโs very true. There is always emotion and passion behind the technology of TAG Heuer and while weโre an engineering brand, we provide a platform to highlight the intensity of the emotions that can live in the world of sports.โ
โThere are some hints on our social media platforms about how we will celebrate our long-lasting connection with Formula 1 in a way that other brands cannot do. How do we maintain this extraordinary legacy? How we express the merging of philosophies between these two worlds is something Iโd love to be able to share with the public. When the time is right, weโll show it,โ continues Pin.
โNext year weโll focus on taking over the responsibility of official timekeeper in the proper way, so we wonโt immediately be bringing anything new. Weโve got a 10-year contract, so weโve got time to be creative.โ
As far as TAG Heuerโs plans for the 2025 Formula 1 season, understandably Pin didnโt reveal much but promised the brand would reestablish itself as the most important watchmaker associated with the sport.
Super Maxโs Five Peat
Max Verstappen looks to extend his dynastic run with Red Bull Racing by logging a fifth consecutive season as King of the Grid โ an achievement that would not only overtake Sebastian Vettelโs four years of dominance with Red Bull, but further cement the generational Dutch talentโs growing legacy as an all-time great. With a hungry and motivated Liam Lawson tapped to be his new teammate, replacing languishing sponsorship magnet Sergio โChecoโ Pรฉrez, Verstappen will need to keep that iron sight trained on the top prize, with both Ferrari and McLaren breathing down his neck. Especially if Red Bullโs engineering suffers like it did throughout the latter half of 2024.
Melbourne In Pole Position
The Australian Grand Prix at Melbourneโs iconic Albert Park reclaims its rightful place as the season opener on March 16, after playing second fiddle to Bahrain for the past three years. This dynamic street circuit, famed for its blistering straights and unforgiving corners, promises high drama and nail-biting action. With 24 races ahead, Melbourne is poised to set the stage for what could be the most electrifying season in years.
Fastest Lap โ Pointless?
In 2025, Formula 1 bids farewell to the fastest lap bonus point โ a tactical footnote thatโs reshaped many a race. Now, itโs all about pure racing. The move forces drivers to abandon last-ditch gambits and focus on relentless consistency.
McLarenโs Title Defence
After clinching their first Constructorsโ Championship since 1998, McLaren face a pivotal season. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will be determined to retain the crown (and dethrone Verstappen). Can their 2024 season innovations translate into sustained success?
Beyond The Horizon
The 2026 regulation overhaul looms like a storm on the horizon, threatening to shuffle the deck once again. Add GM/Cadillacโs entry to the mix, and the stakes for 2025 become even higher โ how much will teams spend this year versus banking resources for the next revolution? The ghosts of 2022 linger, a year that dismantled Mercedesโ dominance. Could 2026 do the same for todayโs powerhouses? History tells us no dynasty lasts forever.
A Dream Ferrari Duo
Lewis Hamilton in Rosso Corsa โ itโs the stuff tifosi dreams are made of. Partnering Charles Leclerc, the seven-time champion is chasing an unprecedented eighth title, while Leclerc eyes his maiden crown. But Ferrari must answer an age-old question: When the stakes are sky-high, will they back their future or their marquee star? Garage tensions are inevitable, echoing the days of Hamilton vs. Rosberg. The Scuderiaโs 2025 campaign could either be its finest hour or a masterclass in chaos. Either way, you can bet itโs going to be bloody entertaining.
Rookies & Rising Stars
The 2025 season sees an influx of fresh talent ready to challenge the status quo.
Jack Doohan, Australia โ Alpine
Continuing Australiaโs rich history of producing Formula 1 drivers โ and his own familyโs legacy of elite motorsport talent โ Jack Doohan properly enters the scene after a last-minute debut during the 2024 seasonโs finale. He looks to make a name for himself alongside the proven Pierre Gasly. B.H. recently caught up with Jack and Mick Doohan for an exclusive interview โ read it here.
Liam Lawson, New Zealand โ Red Bull Racing
After stepping in for Australiaโs own Daniel Ricciardo at RB twice, Liam Lawson has been called up to replace an underperforming Sergio Pรฉrez at Red Bull Racing. The pressureโs on to not only adequately partner reigning four-time champion Max Verstappen, but also defend the teamโs position in the constructor standings. Or face a swift dismissal.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Italy โ Mercedes
Hailed as Mercedesโ new hope and the face of Formula 1โs next generation, Andrea Kimi Antonelli brings raw speed and an eyebrow-raising junior record to the table. Already, the assumption is that this teen sensation is being styled as the fresh-faced Seb Vettel to George Russellโs Mark Webber. If you know, you knowโฆ
Oliver Bearman, United Kingdom โ Haas
It was only a matter of time for Oliver Bearman โ the youngest-ever driver to compete for Ferrari and to score points on their Formula 1 debut. On the two occasions heโs stepped up for Carlos Sainz and Nico Hรผlkenberg, the Brit has dazzled with points finishes. You really get the sense weโre witnessing greatness in the making.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Brazil โ Sauber
Gabriel Bortoletoโs signing may have flown under the radar thanks to more pressing driver-related reportage, though that could soon be a quaint detail about his rise. The young Brazilian arrives in the wake of back-to-back F3 and F2 championships ร la Oscar Piastri. Small wonder why Sauber (soon to be Audi) was so keen to nab him.
Isack Hadjar, France โ Racing Bulls
Much like Bortoleto, due to sheer comparison, Isack Hadjarโs confirmation has been treated like something of an afterthought. An unfortunate consequence of the bombshell revelations of the 2024 seat shuffle. But make no mistake, โLe Petit Prostโ has just as much potential to become a future world champ as everyone else in this cutthroat cohort.
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