'No excuses', 'tough choices', 'a big year': 2025 preview with Romain Grosjean + Laura Winter
Mar 10, 2025
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Romain Grosjean, a former F1 driver known for his tenacity with Haas and Renault, joins F1TV presenter Laura Winter to share insights ahead of the new season. They discuss the pressure on teams like Ferrari and McLaren, and speculate whether Max Verstappen can break Michael Schumacher's record. The conversation turns to the five rookies making their debut, exploring who might face the toughest expectations. With the Australian Grand Prix around the corner, they share their predictions for the World Champion in 2025.
Teams must make tough leadership decisions with key drivers like Hamilton and Leclerc vying for top positions this season.
McLaren’s expectations are high as they defend their championship, balancing ambition and team harmony between Norris and Piastri.
New rookies face immense pressure to perform amidst heightened expectations and the need for team support and effective management strategies.
Deep dives
Driver Dynamics and Title Contenders
The discussion highlights the critical decisions teams face regarding driver leadership for the upcoming season. Notable drivers like Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are identified as potential lead drivers for their respective teams, with a major focus on the title contenders. Red Bull is recognized as a crucial player, especially given their recent leadership changes and the absence of iconic figures like Adrian Newey. As the season kicks off, the competition becomes fierce, with questions surrounding whether Max Verstappen can maintain his championship dominance or if Lewis Hamilton can secure an eighth title in his inaugural season with Ferrari.
Testing Insights from Bahrain
The pre-season testing in Bahrain provided valuable insights into team performances and potential competitiveness for the season. Lewis Hamilton's transition to Ferrari has garnered attention, particularly with his performances that indicated a degree of comfort in the car, despite the mixed testing conditions. McLaren emerged as a significant contender with impressive long-run pace, yet Red Bull's performance remained uncertain, putting them in a complex position heading into the first race. Amidst the testing, the reliability of the cars was also highlighted, indicating a season that could be tightly contested between several teams.
Challenges for New Teams and Rookies
With several rookies entering the grid, such as Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli, there’s a keen anticipation regarding their performances amidst the exceptional pressure of Formula One. The dynamics within rookie teams play a pivotal role, especially regarding the experience of their teammates and team management strategies. For instance, Antonelli has been lauded for his potential yet faces scrutiny to deliver under the high expectations. Furthermore, the impact of new regulations for the 2026 season compels teams to strike a balance between immediate results and long-term growth.
The McLaren Challenge
McLaren enters the season as the defending champions, setting high expectations based on their pre-season performance and organizational culture. The racers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are both fast but need to navigate their competitive ambitions while maintaining team harmony. With past experiences impacting their strategy, the team must avoid repeating mistakes in managing their drivers and capitalizing on their recent successes. The pressure is on McLaren to deliver solid performance and maintain their championship status without compromising driver dynamics.
Lewis Hamilton's Transition to Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari marks a significant turning point in both his career and the team's strategy, as they seek to fortify their championship potential. Adapting to a new team entails significant challenges, such as integrating into Ferrari's operational philosophy and managing expectations amidst heightened scrutiny from fans and media. The relationship dynamics with teammate Charles Leclerc will also dictate Ferrari's overall strategy, particularly in deciding priority when it comes to race situations. This complex setup makes the beginning of their season vital, as Hamilton aims to achieve both individual and team success.
It's all to drive for. Only 1 can win. Which teams have big decisions to make? Who's under the most pressure?
Ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, former F1 driver Romain Grosjean and F1TV presenter Laura Winter join Tom Clarkson to preview the race and the entire season.
Will Max Verstappen match Michael Schumacher’s record of five titles in a row? Who will be the number one driver at Ferrari out of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton? What do McLaren need to do differently to help Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri win the championship? And which of the five rookies have the most pressure and expectations on their shoulders this year?
Tom, Romain and Laura also discuss what they’re expecting from this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix and they share their predictions for who will be crowned World Champion in 2025.
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