While Bernie Ecclestone describes the F1 2025 championship as “open,” the ex-F1 boss thinks Max Verstappen “will” achieve five titles in a row, outpacing McLaren and Ferrari.
Regarding the Ferrari contest, he favors Charles Leclerc over Lewis Hamilton in that situation.
Bernie Ecclestone Shares His Forecasts for F1 2025
Following two years of near supremacy, with Red Bull clinching an impressive 21 out of 22 races in 2023, Max Verstappen and his squad had to exert effort for the World Championship last season as Red Bull’s competitors closed the gap on track in the ground-effect era.
As the Dutchman ended a 10-race winless streak, the longest since 2020, to secure the Drivers’ Championship title over Lando Norris, McLaren captured its first Constructors’ title since 1998.
The competition was so intense that Red Bull secured just nine victories out of 24 races, with McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes all achieving several wins. The Milton Keynes team fell to third place in the standings as Ferrari advanced as well.
This season is anticipated to be even more competitive, with four teams—Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes—contending for both championship titles.
McLaren, according to analysts and competitor teams, is favored heading into the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, as the Woking outfit is said to be two or possibly three-tenths quicker in race setup during pre-season testing.
“McLaren, based on the test results, already possesses an advantage,” stated Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko. “That held true in both the short term and the long term.”
“The obvious favorite at the moment is McLaren.”
George Russell agreed: “I believe McLaren will be quite competitive. Lando mentions they’ve discovered quite a bit during the winter and seems quite confident.”
Ecclestone’s Preference for Ferrari but His Expectation for Verstappen
However, although Ecclestone acknowledges that McLaren is among the contenders, that’s not the team he prefers to see win the F1 2025 World Championship.
“You would definitely have to consider McLaren, and I would enjoy seeing Ferrari triumph,” the 92-year-old expressed to Reuters.
If a Ferrari driver were to emerge victorious, the former F1 chief believes that Charles Leclerc might have the advantage over Lewis Hamilton, as he does not anticipate Ferrari abandoning their long-time driver for the seven-time World Champion.
“He’s been there from the start, so it’s unlikely they will replace him with Lewis,” Ecclestone remarked about the Monegasque racer. “I’m not claiming that Lewis isn’t an option, just that they will continue to support and anticipate Leclerc will complete the task.”
However, when everything is considered, Bernie thinks the F1 2025 Drivers’ Championship title “will” belong to Verstappen – provided the RB21 performs well.
“I’m happy in many respects that it (the championship) is as open as it is, and that’s positive,” Ecclestone stated. “I continue to believe Max will triumph.”
“There’s no reason for him not to.” If he possesses the equipment, clearly there would be no debate regarding him. It would be certain. “If the car is capable, he will complete the task.”
Can Verstappen Overcome the Competition Again?
Verstappen’s dominance over the past few years has been nearly unparalleled, but the growing competitiveness of the grid signals that his road to a fifth consecutive title will not be as straightforward as in previous years.
Red Bull’s RB21 will need to match or exceed the pace of McLaren and Ferrari if Verstappen is to maintain his reign. With new aerodynamic developments and increased reliability concerns for all teams, minor details could determine the championship battle.
McLaren’s resurgence, led by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, presents a real challenge for Red Bull, and Ferrari’s consistency in pre-season testing suggests that Leclerc and Hamilton could be in the mix throughout the season.
Mercedes, meanwhile, remains a dark horse, as the Brackley-based squad has shown flashes of speed in testing, and George Russell and Lewis Hamilton will be determined to return to winning ways before Hamilton departs for Ferrari in 2026.
One key factor in Verstappen’s favor is his ability to extract the maximum from any car he drives. Even when Red Bull’s RB20 was not the fastest on the grid last year, Verstappen’s racecraft and tire management allowed him to secure crucial wins, keeping his championship hopes alive.
The Leclerc vs. Hamilton Debate at Ferrari
While Ferrari signed Hamilton in a blockbuster move for 2026, the focus remains on this season, where Leclerc is expected to lead the Scuderia’s championship challenge. Ecclestone’s comments suggest that Ferrari’s faith in Leclerc will remain strong, despite the arrival of a seven-time World Champion next year.
Leclerc has been with Ferrari since 2019 and has developed a deep connection with the team, often outperforming his machinery in challenging circumstances. His ability to extract one-lap pace in qualifying is widely regarded as among the best on the grid.
Hamilton, on the other hand, brings unparalleled experience and race-day intelligence. While adjusting to a new team always presents challenges, his ability to adapt quickly could make Ferrari a real contender this season.
However, if Ferrari is indeed prioritizing Leclerc, as Ecclestone suggests, Hamilton may find himself in a secondary role, at least in the early part of the season. Whether team orders will play a role remains to be seen, but if both drivers are in contention, Ferrari could face a difficult balancing act.
A Season of Uncertainty and High Expectations
As the 2025 F1 season begins, the landscape is more unpredictable than it has been in years.
Red Bull’s dominance has been threatened, McLaren appears ready to mount a serious title challenge, Ferrari is well-positioned to fight at the front, and Mercedes could still surprise the field.
Ecclestone, despite his preference for Ferrari, remains steadfast in his belief that Verstappen will once again rise to the top—provided he has the right machinery.
With the Australian Grand Prix fast approaching, all eyes will be on Melbourne to see if McLaren’s testing pace translates to race-day performance, whether Red Bull can fight back, and if Ferrari is truly ready to mount a championship-winning campaign.
One thing is certain: 2025 promises to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable F1 seasons in recent history.
