Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has revealed who he believes will take the 2025 crown at the end of the season.
As F1 prepares for its first race in 2025, Bernie Ecclestone has added his name to the growing list predicting multiple winners.
Pre-season testing painted a clouded picture of performance, with Red Bull and Ferrari struggling at points.
Midfield runners also look set to spring a surprise. Alpine and Pierre Gasly looked particularly strong on the final day of testing.
The thoughts of former king of F1 Bernie Ecclestone
Speaking to Reuters, Ecclestone believes McLaren enters 2025 as the favourites for both titles at this stage. However, he also added Ferrari into the mix.
“You’d have to obviously think McLaren and I’d like to see Ferrari win.”
He then gave his take on the potentially tantalising intra-team Ferrari battle. Long-time Ferrari driver and former protégé Charles Leclerc will face off against seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Ecclestone believes that Leclerc will come out on top of the duel. Elaborating, he said Ferrari are not likely to favour Hamilton, given Leclerc’s history with the team.
“He’s been there all the way through so they are hardly going to dump him for Lewis.“I’m not saying Lewis isn’t possible, just that they will not stop looking after and hoping Leclerc’s going to get the job done.”
Who does Bernie Ecclestone believe will win the title in 2025?
On the vital question of who he thinks will win the driver’s title in 2025, Ecclestone was resolute in his answer. The former F1 supremo threw his weight behind reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
Whilst acknowledging the potentially highly competitive grid this year, Ecclestone stated if Verstappen has ‘got equipment’, he will become a five-time world champion.
“I’m pleased in lots of ways that it (the championship) is open in the way that it is, and it’s good. I still think Max will win.
“There’s no reason why he shouldn’t. If he’s got the equipment, obviously there’d be no discussion about him. It would be a definite. If the car’s up to it, he’ll get the job done.”
The 2025 F1 season kicks off in Australia this weekend.
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