Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has shared his insights on the upcoming 2025 Formula 1 season, predicting a fiercely competitive battle at the front of the grid. Steiner believes the season will feature “different winners” across multiple races, with McLaren and Ferrari emerging as the early favorites.
The 2024 season saw an intense battle among the top four teams, culminating in McLaren securing their first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years. Ferrari finished a close second, while Red Bull slipped to third place, and Mercedes trailed in fourth. This tight competition has set the stage for an even more thrilling 2025 season.
Steiner’s Favorites for 2025
Steiner, who will serve as an ambassador for the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, has tipped McLaren and Ferrari as the teams to watch. He highlighted their strong performances at the end of 2024 and their ability to understand what makes their cars competitive.
“I see the four teams again close together – last year, at the end, it was very close together,” Steiner said. “But my favourites are Ferrari and McLaren, because they were so strong [at the] end of last year and I think they figured out what the car needs to be fast. Not only downforce, it's also balance in the car, the handling, how they manage all that, so I think they will be the favourites for me.”
Steiner also pointed to the stability of their driver line-ups as a key advantage. While McLaren retains Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Ferrari will field Charles Leclerc alongside Lewis Hamilton, who makes his highly anticipated move from Mercedes. In contrast, Red Bull and Mercedes will each have a rookie in their line-up: Liam Lawson at Red Bull and Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes.
“Also, they have the driver pairing; they both [have] experienced drivers in, while Mercedes and Red Bull have got a rookie each,” Steiner added. “I mean, Liam is not a real rookie, but he hasn't done a complete season. It just makes it difficult, because a rookie is a rookie – even if they [are] super good, he still needs to learn a lot.”
Multiple Winners Expected in 2025
Steiner also weighed in on whether the 2025 season could produce new race winners, similar to Lando Norris’ breakthrough victory at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix. He believes the competition will be so tight that multiple drivers will stand on the top step of the podium.
“I think we will see different winners this year – I'm pretty sure about that,” Steiner explained. “[Will] we see any of the rookies winning? I think that's difficult, but not impossible. But there will be more than one winner this year – that will be similar [to] last year.”
The Challenge of Balancing 2025 and 2026 Development
One of the biggest challenges facing teams in 2025 will be balancing the development of their current cars with preparations for the major regulation changes set for 2026. Steiner predicts that most teams will shift their focus to the 2026 car by May or June, as the new rules represent the future of the sport.
“I think everybody will shift to the ‘26 car in May, because that is the future, and if you develop until May [with] the ‘25 car, you still bring parts until the middle of the year, because you develop and then you have to make the parts [and] obviously that takes time,” Steiner said.
However, he noted that teams locked in a close championship battle might delay their transition to prioritize winning the 2025 title.
“If the battle is close, then obviously you decide, ‘hey, we need to go a little bit longer [to make sure] that we win this championship’. But I think [for] everybody making their plan at the moment, I would say they in June are [focused] on 95% or 97% the ‘26 car.”
Key Takeaways:
- McLaren and Ferrari are the early favorites for the 2025 season, thanks to their strong 2024 performances and experienced driver line-ups.
- Red Bull and Mercedes face challenges with rookie drivers Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli.
- Steiner predicts multiple race winners in 2025, similar to the 2024 season.
- Teams will face the tough task of balancing 2025 development with preparations for the 2026 regulation changes.
As the 2025 season approaches, fans can expect a thrilling battle on track, with new rivalries, emerging talents, and strategic masterstrokes shaping the championship. Steiner’s insights offer a glimpse into what promises to be another unforgettable year in Formula 1.
