Formula 1 in 2025

4 min

January 15, 2025 | ESPN

Formula 1 in 2025: Car launch dates and full season calendar

4 min

After one of the most competitive and enthralling Formula 1 seasons in recent memory, it's almost time to get the show on the road once again for a 2025 campaign that promises plenty.

ESPN

January 15, 2025

Originally published on ESPN.com.

We'll see Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris renewing their rivalry and the finest wheel-to-wheel action at 24 race tracks across the world this year, all after a unique launch event to whet the appetite.

So, when do we get started and what are the key dates? Here's your essential preview to 2025 with everything for your calendar.

Car and season launches

Before a wheel is turned in anger, there's car launch season. Traditionally, fans get a first glimpse of the cars for the new campaign at a team's individual launch event, where drivers and bosses pull the covers off their challengers and speak -- glowingly, of course -- about their prospects for the season.

This year, that schedule is clouded somewhat due to the debut of F1's all-encompassing season launch event at London's O2 Arena on Feb. 18 -- where all drivers and teams will be present and where F1 claim the teams will reveal their liveries.

But we also have two confirmed car launch dates in the diary -- from Williams and Ferrari -- to hint that the usual schedule will still run this year alongside F1's own extravaganza.

Feb. 14: Williams
Feb. 18: F1 season launch
Feb. 19: Ferrari
TBC: McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Alpine, Racing Bulls, Haas, Williams, Sauber

Preseason testing

As has been the case in recent years, we'll have three days of preseason testing in Bahrain before the season officially gets underway.

These three days are split into morning and afternoon sessions -- both four hours each -- and give drivers and teams chance to get up to speed, and us an early look at that all-important pecking order.

Testing provides even more intrigue this year because it will be the first time Hamilton drives a Ferrari in an official session.

Feb. 26-28: Preseason testing in Bahrain

The Formula 1 2025 calendar

Two weeks later, it's time for the season to begin. After four season-openers in Bahrain, the curtain-raiser heads back to its former home in Melbourne this year for the Australian Grand Prix, kicking off with practice on March 14 before the race itself on March 16. There are then 23 more races all around the world, with the U.S. hosting more than any other nation with three -- in Miami (May 4), Austin (Oct. 19) and Las Vegas (Nov. 23). We'll also have six Sprint weekends to look forward to, featuring more racing, and more points.