The 2025 Formula One season concluded with unexpected twists, leaving fans and pundits reflecting on the accuracy of bold predictions made at its outset. Motorsport enthusiasts, particularly those from Australia, experienced a sense of déjà vu reminiscent of the 2010 season when Mark Webber was in a similar title fight. This year, it was Lando Norris who clinched the championship, surpassing Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, fulfilling predictions that seemed audacious at the time.
Fox Sports, the exclusive broadcaster of the FIA Formula One World Championship™ in 4K on Kayo Sports, had forecasted these outcomes, and now, as the season fades into the rear-view mirror, it’s time to revisit those bold predictions and assess their accuracy.
Piastri’s Near Miss: The Aussie Drought Continues
One of the standout predictions was that Oscar Piastri would end Australia’s long wait for a podium finish at Albert Park. While Piastri was on track to achieve this, a spin on the wet track dashed his hopes, relegating him to a ninth-place finish. This loss of crucial points was pivotal, as he ended the season just 13 points behind champion Lando Norris.
Piastri’s season was marked by inconsistency, despite leading the world championship for a significant portion. His qualifying struggles, as highlighted by a 20-4 head-to-head defeat against Norris, underscored the challenges he faced. The narrative of his season was one of potential unfulfilled, with Norris’s experience giving him the edge.
“Winning the world title, with the consistency that requires, is another matter entirely. His teammate Norris finished outside the top six just three times in 2024; Piastri was outside of the top six nine times,” analysts noted.
The McLaren team expected top-four finishes as a minimum, and Norris met this expectation, finishing outside the top four only four times. Piastri, on the other hand, struggled with consistency despite showing flashes of brilliance.
Lando Norris: A Champion’s Journey
Lando Norris’s triumph was another prediction that came true, albeit with a tinge of controversy. McLaren’s dominance was evident, and while Norris had his moments of inconsistency, he managed to outperform his teammate Piastri. The perception of favoritism within McLaren was a talking point, with Martin Brundle suggesting a subconscious bias towards Norris due to his loyalty to the team.
“McLaren is clearly the best bet to be the fastest constructor at Albert Park, and Norris has the runs on the board – plus the support shown by the team last season, even if that was somewhat circumstantial,” analysts wrote.
Despite the debates, Norris’s performance was enough to secure his place in history as a world champion, even as Verstappen and Piastri arguably displayed more impressive individual performances.
Jack Doohan’s F1 Exit: Financial Pressures and Team Dynamics
Another prediction that materialized was the unfortunate exit of Jack Doohan from the Formula 1 grid. Alpine’s struggles and the financial backing of reserve driver Franco Colapinto led to Doohan’s replacement mid-season. The decision was controversial, with Colapinto’s performances not significantly surpassing Doohan’s.
The dynamics within Alpine, exacerbated by management changes, highlighted the financial pressures and team politics that often influence driver line-ups. Doohan’s future now seems to lie in Super Formula, with potential opportunities as a reserve driver for Haas.
Rookie Triumphs and Williams’ Revival
The prediction of a rookie race win nearly came to fruition, with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli showing flashes of brilliance. While Antonelli did not secure a victory, his performances hinted at a promising future, particularly after a strong finish in Brazil.
Williams, another focal point of predictions, exceeded expectations by securing not one but two podium finishes. Carlos Sainz’s performances, alongside Alex Albon, propelled Williams to a fifth-place finish in the constructors’ standings, marking their best result since 2017.
“Williams ‘look like a genuine contender to head the midfield’, we said – and they did just that finishing a brilliant fifth in the constructors’ standings,” analysts noted.
The 2025 season was a testament to the unpredictable nature of Formula 1, where bold predictions can sometimes align with reality in surprising ways. As teams and drivers turn their attention to the 2026 season, the lessons and outcomes of this year will undoubtedly shape their strategies and aspirations.
