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FORMULA ONE is back for another year - which means that new cars will be driven by new drivers for the new season.

Lewis Hamilton has been the focal point of Formula One throughout the last 12 months, switching from the Silver Arrows of Mercedes to the famous red of Ferrari for 2025.

January 22, 2025, Fiorano Modenese, Italy: Fans waves the Scuderia Ferrari flag during the Lewis Hamilton first official test as a Scuderia Ferrari F1 driver at Fiorano Circuit in Fiorano Modenese, Italy. 22 Jan 2025 Pictured: 23 during his first official days as a Scuderia Ferrari F1 driver at Fiorano Circuit in Fiorano Modenese, Italy. Photo credit: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com sales@mega.global
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Lewis Hamilton aims to win a record breaking eighth world titleCredit: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Lando Norris of McLaren and Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing after qualifying ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit in Lusail, Qatar on November 30, 2024. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Lando Norris (left) will be hoping to dethrone current world champion Max Verstappen (right)Credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Hamilton's departure left a seat open at the eight-time Constructors champions, filled by Kimi Antonelli.

In total, there have been ten driver changes ahead of the 2025 season.

The first driver change of the season came up just two weeks, as Liam Lawson was dropped by Red Bull in place of Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Driver line-ups

McLaren: Lando Norris / Oscar Piastri

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Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton / Charles Leclerc

Red Bull: Max Vertsappen / Yuki Tsunoda*

Mercedes: George Russell / Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Aston Martin: Lance Stroll / Fernando Alonso

Alpine: Pierre Gasly / Jack Doohan

Haas: Esteban Ocon / Oliver Bearman

Racing Bulls: Isack Hadjar / Liam Lawson*

Williams: Alex Albon / Carlos Sainz

Sauber: Nico Hulkenberg / Gabriel Bortoleto

*Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsuonda switched teams ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix

How many drivers have switched team ahead of the 2025 F1 season?

There have been TEN driver changes ahead of the 2025 season, in one of the most hectic winters of all time.

The most high profile switch was Lewis Hamilton, as he joined Ferrari from Mercedes, and Kimi Antonelli took his seat at the Silver Arrows.

Carlos Sainz got the boot from the Prancing Horse, but his talents were too good to ignore, as Williams picked him up for the 2025 season.

Max Verstappen has had a host of drivers pair with him, Sergio Perez was the most successful, but did not survive a poor 2024 season, which saw Red Bull drop the Constructors' Championship.

Liam Lawson took his place, and partners Max Verstappen.

However, Liam Lawson lasted only two races in the Red Bull, and was sent back to Racing Bulls and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.

Rookie Isack Hadjar had started the season with Tsuonda, but now teams with Lawson.

The unlikely pairing of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon were split up for the 2025 season, with Jack Doohan joining Alpine, and Ocon joining Haas.

Ocon is part of an all new line-up at Haas, as Oliver Bearman also joins him.

Haas were not the only team to completely change, as Sauber sent Valterri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu packing for Nico Hulkenberg and Formula 2 winner Gabriel Bortoleto.

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Only McLaren and Aston Martin go into 2025 with the same drivers they went in 2024 with.

How to watch F1 in 2025

  • Formula One will come to viewers live on Sky Sports F1, as the broadcaster retains the rights to show the racing in the UK.
  • However, there will be free highlights after the races have finished on Channel 4, or on the Sky Sports YouTube channel.
  • Alternatively, SunSport will blog select races throughout the season.
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