Lando Norris was once seen as a talented young driver with the potential to challenge for Formula 1 titles in the future. However, with McLaren’s rapid progress and the shifting balance of power in the sport, the future may have arrived sooner than expected. As the 2025 season begins, Norris finds himself as the favorite to win his first-ever world championship.
While Max Verstappen remains a formidable opponent and Ferrari’s new lineup looks strong, the title race is more open than it has been in years. We’ve analyzed the top contenders and ranked their chances of winning the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship—from the biggest outsiders to the leading favorites.
Nico Hulkenberg
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At the bottom of the list is Nico Hulkenberg. Now driving for Kick Sauber, the experienced German has yet to secure a single podium in his F1 career. With odds of 2,000/1, a championship win would be one of the most astonishing achievements in motorsport history.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll finds himself among the outsiders for the title. Despite driving for a team with strong ambitions, he has yet to prove himself as a consistent front-runner. With odds of 2,000/1, a championship-winning season would be nothing short of miraculous.
Alpine’s Jack Doohan is another driver facing a near-impossible task. Still early in his F1 career, he is unlikely to be fighting for the championship in 2025. With odds of 2,000/1, he will need both an exceptional car and a season of dominance to make the impossible happen.
Gabriel Bortoleto
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Kick Sauber’s young driver, Gabriel Bortoleto, is another major outsider. As a rookie, he will be looking to establish himself rather than challenge for the title. Given his odds of 2,000/1, even scoring regular points would be considered a success.
Oliver Bearman
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Haas driver Oliver Bearman is one of the most exciting young talents in the field, but a title charge in his debut season is nearly impossible. At 1,000/1, even a podium would be a remarkable achievement.
Isack Hadjar
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Another promising rookie, Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, enters the season with a steep learning curve ahead of him. With 1,000/1 odds, his focus will likely be on proving himself in F1 rather than fighting at the front.
Yuki Tsunoda has been part of the Red Bull setup for years, but he has yet to prove he can consistently compete with the best. Driving for Racing Bulls, his odds of 500/1 reflect the reality that a title challenge is highly unlikely.
Esteban Ocon
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Now at Haas, Esteban Ocon faces an uphill battle. His team is unlikely to provide him with a championship-winning car, and with odds of 500/1, even a race victory would be a surprise.
Pierre Gasly
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Alpine’s Pierre Gasly has shown glimpses of brilliance, but the team’s inconsistency makes him a long shot for the title. His 150/1 odds suggest that even if Alpine takes a step forward, a championship push remains unrealistic.
Fernando Alonso
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Despite being one of the greatest drivers of his generation, Fernando Alonso enters the 2025 season as an underdog. At 100/1, the Aston Martin driver would need a near-perfect car to fight for a third world title at the age of 43.
After making the surprising switch to Williams, Carlos Sainz Jr. is unlikely to be a title contender. While his talent is undeniable, his 100/1 odds reflect the difficulty of winning a championship with a team still rebuilding.
Alex Albon
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One of the most underrated drivers on the grid, Alex Albon has shown flashes of brilliance at Williams. However, with 100/1 odds, it would take a major step forward from his team to put him in contention.
Liam Lawson
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As a Red Bull reserve driver, Liam Lawson has been given his shot in F1. However, with odds of 66/1, he is unlikely to challenge for the championship unless he is promoted to a top-tier seat mid-season.
Kimi Antonelli
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Mercedes’ young talent Kimi Antonelli is widely regarded as a future star, but winning the title in his first season would be a monumental task. With 66/1 odds, the Italian will need both a strong car and a rapid learning curve to make an impact.
Mercedes’ hopes rest on George Russell, but with the team struggling to match Red Bull and McLaren in recent years, his 12/1 odds indicate that he is an outsider rather than a frontrunner.
Oscar Piastri
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Oscar Piastri had an impressive 2024 season and is expected to be in the mix for race wins. If McLaren delivers a top-tier car, his 8/1 odds suggest he could be a dark horse in the title race.
Lewis Hamilton
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Now in Ferrari red, Lewis Hamilton is aiming for a record-breaking eighth world title. With odds of 5/1, he is considered a serious contender, but Ferrari’s reliability will be key to his chances.
Charles Leclerc
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Ferrari’s lead driver, Charles Leclerc, has come close to a championship before but has yet to secure his first title. At 9/2, he is one of the top contenders, but he must overcome the challenge of both Red Bull and McLaren.
After dominating recent seasons, Max Verstappen remains the benchmark in Formula 1. At 3/1, the Red Bull driver is still one of the favorites, but the gap to his rivals has narrowed.
Lando Norris
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Sitting at the top of the list is Lando Norris. The McLaren driver has been steadily improving, and 2025 might finally be his year. With 7/4 odds, he is viewed as the favorite to claim his first-ever world championship.
