Formula 1 has kicked off with a thrilling bang after the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix’s delivered a fitting open to its landmark 75th year. With new and old driver rivalries reignited and teams expectingly pushing themselves to the next level, the first 2 races of the season have already set the tone. The dust may have already settled in Melbourne and Shanghai, but this is only the beginning of what promises to be an action-packed and epic season.
With many more twists and turns ahead, every race brings new battles—at the front, in the midfield, and among rising contenders. Here are three key things to look out for as the season unfolds.
- Could this be Lando’s year?
McLaren are the favorites to win this year’s Constructors Championship and have provided both their drivers (Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri) with a competitive car to challenge Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The latter’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive Driver’s world title could be under threat with a hungrier-than-ever Norris who earned P1 in Australia and P2 in China. Could this be the year the gap between them is finally closed?
Piastri may have something to say about it too after securing a dominant P1 finish in China. Then there is George Russell of Mercedes who has made it to the podium in both races so far. Could Oscar and George shake things up at the top as perennial dark horses? One thing’s for sure; it is going to be a fierce battle all season long.
- Rookie Reality Check
Getting to Formula 1 is easier than staying there. A fresh wave of rookies is learning that firsthand as the dust has settled from their childhood dream realized into a quick reality check with immense pressure to prove they belong. Some have already shown flashes of brilliance, while others are still finding their footing in the unforgiving world of F1. Kimi Antonelli’s impressive P4 and P6 finishes in the first two races of the year have ignited enough excitement to keep Mercedes in the Constructors Championship conversation. Is the young Italian’s blistering start a flash in the pan or a glimpse of a promising season that will take the Silver Arrows to the next level?
Ollie Bearman of Haas and Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls both faced early challenges in Australia but quickly bounced back with impressive P8 and P11 finishes at the Chinese Grand Prix respectively. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson of Red Bull could already be facing the heat after failing to score points on both occasions—highlighting the steep learning curve that awaits many newcomers. Will these rookies rise to the occasion and cement their place in the sport, or will the relentless demands of motorsport’s biggest stage prove too much to handle? The fight for survival in F1 has never been more cutthroat.
- A Changing of the Guard
This season’s grid is packed with fresh faces in new places, and the adjustment period is already yielding surprising results. Lewis Hamilton has had an underwhelming debut with Ferrari, finishing P10 in Australia and a surprising disqualification in China as he continues to adjust to an entirely new car and engineering team. Alex Albon’s standout P5 and P7 finishes at Williams have marked his best start with the team since joining them. On the other hand, Nico Hülkenberg wasted no time making an impact on Kick Sauber, scoring more points in one race than the team managed all last season.
While we’re only two races down, these early performances could signal a shifting pecking order across the top and midfield. Are the Top 4 even safe anymore? As teams and drivers continue to find their rhythm, all eyes now turn to China—where the battle for supremacy is only heating up.
beIN SPORTS is the official home of Formula One in the Philippines and motorsport fans can continue to catch all the action when they subscribe to its live sports app beIN SPORTS CONNECT. Unlock a world of high-speed drama and exclusive F1 content with monthly subscriptions starting at just Php 159.
beIN SPORTS also hosted its official Australian Grand Prix watch party in the Philippines at Mansion Sports Bar & Lounge bringing together members of the local motorsport community, from professional racers to casual viewers. Guests had an unforgettable race day that also included an F1 Trivia Quiz and a Reaction Time Challenge just like the F1 drivers do. This is just the first of many so stay tuned for more exhilarating events and activations designed to bring the thrill of F1 even closer to Filipino fans.
“We are committed to making F1 more accessible than ever to Filipino fans and local motorsport community, giving them every opportunity to fuel their passion for the sport with our exclusive coverage and immersive experiences throughout the season. Along with our app, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, fans can continue experience every race live and on demand, ensuring they never miss a single moment of the high-stakes action with us,” said Magdalene Ng, EVP of Marketing, Consumer, & Growth at beIN
