The seven leading title contenders as F1 season gets underway

There are doubts about how competitive McLaren will be this season. Defending champion Norris could be at a disadvantage

HOMEMADE: Red Bull are using their own engines for the first time. Signs are encouraging for Max Verstappen. Pic: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.

The Formula One season begins in Melbourne on Sunday as Lando Norris bids to defend his world championship crown. These are the leading contenders for this year's drivers' title.

LANDO NORRIS (McLAREN) 

The 26-year-old Englishman held his nerve to fend off Max Verstappen and claim his first world crown at last season’s finale. Norris’ McLaren team boasted the grid’s quickest car for the past two years. 

But there are doubts as to how competitive McLaren will be in the new era and, as such, Norris could start his title defence on the back foot.

MAX VERSTAPPEN (RED BULL) 

Verstappen has established himself as the best driver of his generation, and quite possibly of all time. With four world titles and 71 career wins to his name – third only to Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher – it is highly likely the 28-year-old Dutchman will be in the title mix again. 

Red Bull are using their own engines for the first time and the initial signs from testing were encouraging.

GEORGE RUSSELL (MERCEDES) 

Russell, 28, heads into the season opener as the bookmakers’ favourite. Following Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes, Russell has established himself as the team’s main man and he was one of the standout performers last year. 

Mercedes failed to master the last set of regulations, but it looks as though they will hold an early advantage over their competitors to provide Russell with his first opportunity to fight for a title.

LEWIS HAMILTON (FERRARI) 

Hamilton, now 41, is bidding to bounce back from a desperately disappointing opening season at Ferrari where he failed to finish on the podium for the first time in his career. 

No other driver in the sport’s history has landed more championships (seven), wins (105) or pole positions (104) than Hamilton, and he will be out to prove he is not on the wane as well as cashing in on Ferrari’s innovative 180-degree rotating rear wing design which gained him a 6mph straight-line speed advantage in testing.

CHARLES LECLERC (FERRARI) 

Leclerc will take great confidence from out-qualifying and outscoring Hamilton in their first season together at Ferrari. 

One of F1’s fastest qualifiers, the Monegasque will certainly be a contender if Ferrari can provide him with the tools. However, question marks remain over Leclerc’s title temperament.

KIMI ANTONELLI (MERCEDES) 

The Italian teenager started and ended his rookie season well and he will be looking to build on that in his second campaign. 

However, team-mate Russell should have the beating of him over the course of a campaign.

OSCAR PIASTRI (McLAREN) 

Led the championship for so long last season but struggled after the summer break and settled for third. Is he still carrying the scars of his near miss? 

Like team-mate Norris, the Australian, a seven-time race winner in 2025, will also struggle if McLaren are not competitive from the start of the year.