If Verstappen is not available, Toto Wolff will stick with his current driver line-up into 2026 - Russell has come out of three seasons with Lewis Hamilton and just about won bragging rights. He has earned his status as one of F1's very top drivers.

At least on paper, Lando Norris seems to have the best chances of winning the 2025 Drivers' title, with McLaren having an optimal winter testing in Bahrain, while Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing suggested they were not completely satisfied with the RB21.

The Cadillac team set to debut in Formula One next year has at least six names on a list of potential drivers and will decide on merit, principal Graeme Lowdon said on Monday.

Cadillac's application to join 2026 grid was approved last week — meaning the new team now has work to do in the driver market.

Now its spot in Formula 1 for 2026 onwards is secure, the championship's newest team is on the hunt for its drivers

This year, Haas also brings a new driver pairing, as rookie Oliver Bearman joins the team after three super-sub appearances a season ago, two for Haas and one for Ferrari. As for his teammate, Esteban Ocon joins the team after departing Alpine, giving Haas a lineup with a rookie and a veteran driver.

Follow live updates as Lewis Hamilton prepares for his Ferrari debut in F1 at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne to kick off the 2025 season

Formula 1 returns this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix kicking off the 2025 season, which promises to be one of the most unpredictable in recent history. Max Verstappen is aiming to win a fifth consecutive drivers’ championship with Red Bull – a feat only the legendary Michael Schumacher has achieved.