F1 Championship Contenders & Must-Watch Races of 2025

By James Diaz

| Updated 3 Days Ago

PHOTO BY JONATHAN BORBA ON PEXELS

The 2025 F1 season is shaping up with fierce championship contenders aiming for the top spot. Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc are the key drivers to watch this year.

Several races promise high stakes and thrilling action, including the Monaco Grand Prix and the Italian GP. Fans won’t want to miss these pivotal moments in the championship fight.

Drivers And Teams Gunning For Glory

Max Verstappen enters 2025 as the defending champion and remains one of the top title favorites. Red Bull continues to deliver strong performance, keeping him firmly in the fight.

In the tweet below, Verstappen said he’s focused on defending his title and assessed his chances ahead of the weekend:

Max Verstappen will be looking to defend his drivers' title in 2025 🏆

He assessed his chances ahead of the weekend… 👇#F1 pic.twitter.com/3X897xQ5rQ
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 13, 2025

The pressure is high, but he seems ready.

With rivals like McLaren and Ferrari closing in, Verstappen’s consistency and calm approach could be key to staying ahead in a competitive season.

The Races That Could Shake Up The Standings

The Monaco Grand Prix is a historic F1 race known for its narrow streets and minimal overtaking. Its tight layout challenges even the best drivers and often leads to unpredictable results.

Hungary’s Hungaroring is a technical track where weather and strategy can greatly influence the outcome. It’s less about speed and more about precision.

Singapore’s night race is one of the toughest on the calendar. As the following tweet indicated, it debuted in 2008 as Formula 1’s first night Grand Prix:

Singapore's Marina Bay Circuit was inaugurated as F1's first night race in 2008 and we’re back at it this weekend! Who do you think will be the king of this weekend’s night races? And if you think you have what it takes to be the lord of the night, jump in and compete! pic.twitter.com/AKywiHWMdf
— Real Racing 3 (@realracing) September 18, 2024

The heat, humidity, and long laps make it a true test of endurance and focus.

Newcomers And Dark Horses To Watch

Liam Lawson joins Red Bull Racing for 2025 after a strong run with Racing Bulls. His pace and consistency earned him a seat alongside Max Verstappen.

In the video below, he shares his excitement, goals, and what it means to join the team alongside Verstappen:

Meanwhile, Maya Weug continues with MP Motorsport in F1 Academy, backed by Ferrari. She opened the season with a podium in China after starting P8, showcasing real racing grit.

Both Lawson and Weug are rising fast—and could surprise in their respective championships.