In Formula 1, there has always been a rivalry between two drivers, and that has been the history of the game in the last 75 years. We have seen many historic driver rivalries, starting with Lauda and Hunt, Senna and Prost, Schumacher and Hakkinen, Vettel and Alonso, and Hamilton/Verstappen.
The highly anticipated driver fights F1 2025
These were all the rivalries that still remain in our hearts and memories forever. This season we also anticipate the same kind of rivalries and level of intensity between drivers. We expect some drivers to take the beef they started in 2024 and carry that to the 2025 season. Let's see the most anticipated driver fights this season.
5. Liam Lawson vs Fernando Alonso
The young Kiwi Liam Lawson unexpectedly crossed paths with the two-time world champion Fernando Alonso during his full-time debut race at the COTA circuit. The beef started when Lawson aggressively overtook Alonso in a corner and the Spaniard called him an ‘Idiot’.
They both argued after the race, and Alonso threatened Lawson about screwing him during the main race. Liam Lawson didn't like to end there. He called for a seat change at the Aston Martin team and said Felipe Drugovich should replace the two-time world champion as he felt the Brazilian was faster than Alonso. We expect their beef to continue even this year, as Lawson has a more dominant machine because he is now the Red Bull driver.
Also Read: Red Bull blocks Adrian Newey from working on the 2026 Aston Martin car
4. Gabriel Bortoleto vs Isack Hadjar
The two debutants fought each other last year in the F2 world championship, and the Brazilian won the title after Hadjar retired in the final race due to engine issues. Both the drivers achieved their ultimate goal of entering Formula 1, and we think they will likely continue their rivalry this year. Bortoleto would like to dominate the French driver, same as last year, but Isack would definitely like to prove to everyone that he truly deserved the F2 championship. So it will be nice to see the battle of the rookies in 2025. Many call them Modern Senna and Prost.
3. Lando Norris vs Oscar Piastri
Everyone would have thought Lando would again continue his rivalry with Max Verstappen this year. But we think the other way, as the situation last year was different and Oscar obeyed his team's orders of supporting Lando for the driver's title against Max. This year he is free to race his teammate and aim for the ultimate title for himself. So we are going to see more intra-team battles this year, starting with the Australian and the British driver. This would be like the Ashes contest in cricket.
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2. Lewis Hamilton vs Charles Leclerc
Another team battle that we expect this year is the battle between the two Ferraris. Hamilton, though new to the team, wasn't new to Formula 1. In the past, he has dominated every teammate he has been with and would like to do the same with the Monegasque. If he has any doubts regarding that, he should ask Nico Rosberg.
Even last year, Charles Leclerc had some issues with his teammate Carlos Sainz when he was at the back. Lewis Hamilton could be his worst nightmare if he doesn't set the fastest qualifying lap ahead of him. It would be interesting to see how Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur handles his drivers in 2025.
Also Read: 'The Ultimate Benchmark: Nico Rosberg gets emotional about his former teammate and rival Lewis Hamilton
1. Max Verstappen vs George Russell
The most anticipated rivalry this year would be the battle between George Russell and Max Verstappen. Every other rivalry would be just a racing incident. But Max vs George would add some personal element to it. It all started when George Russell complained about Verstappen’s driving during the qualifying session of the Qatar GP and handed him a one-place grid penalty. Max Verstappen called Russell a 'liar' and 'two-faced' while Russell charged Max for being a bully and threatening him.
They didn't even sit together during the driver’s dinner meet. Russell also slammed McLaren and Ferrari for missing championship opportunities against Red Bull despite having dominant machines. So this year he will go for an all-out war against the Dutchman, and it would be great for the fans who are waiting so long for the 2025 season to start.
Also Read: Max Verstappen says teammate Liam Lawson doesn't matter to him.
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