FORMULA ONE is getting ready to celebrate 75 years of the sport – with SEVEN new rule changes for fans ahead of the new season.
Lewis Hamilton's first season at Ferrari will also see a handful of new rule changes, as he prepares to win an eighth world title.
Rookie drivers will be happy with the new rules, with the rules seeing them get more time in the car and on the track.
The biggest rule change ahead of the new season will see drivers UNABLE to score an extra point if they are the fastest driver on the grid.
The rule had before been used as a tactic, with Daniel Ricciardo scoring the point during his final race to deny Lando Norris a Grand Slam weekend.
The Sao Paulo 2024 Grand Prix has also enforced a rule change, with the qualifying session unable to even get going during Saturday's wet weather conditions last season.
SunSport has everything you need to know about the rule changes ahead of the 2025 season.
What rules have changed ahead of 2025?
1 – Removal of the fastest lap point
The biggest rule change for 2025 is the elimination of the fastest lap points.
The rule had been implemented in 2019, and it meant that a driver could score an extra point if they finished a lap in the quickest time, if they were inside the top ten of the final classification.
If a driver finished a lap the fastest outside the top ten, then they would still earn the fastest lap title, but would not earn any points.
2 – Driver cooling systems
The F1 calendar takes drivers all around the world, sometimes to extremely hot climates such as Saudi Arabia.
The FIA can now declare a “Heat Hazard” if a weather forecast predicts temperatures to rise to 31C or above, which will lead to an increase in the weight limit of cars.
Cars will be allowed an extra 2kg of weight for Practice, Qualifying and Sprint Qualifying sessions, and an extra 5kg for a Sprint or a Grand Prix.
3 – Limits on testing old cars
The rules on Testing of Previous Car (TPC) regulations already changed a year ago, as new rules stated teams must test parts that had run during a race weekend at least once.
Teams can remain to carry out up to 20 days of TPC testing, but their race drivers are only allowed to take part in four days, during which they cannot exceed 1000km driven.
McLaren has showcased the benefit of TPC testing, allowing Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to go back on track in their car from last season ahead of the new season testing.
It also offers a huge advantage for younger drivers, who can go out into F1 regulation cars and get prepared to head out into practice sessions.
4 – More running time for rookies
In F1, a rookie is described as someone who had not completed two F1 Grands Prix.
It has been a rule since 2022 that each team must run a rookie in each of their cars – twice in total – over the course of a season.
Teams usually chose to fill this time during FP1.
However, in 2025 the rule will double, meaning at least twice per season in each car, a rookie must run for at least one session.
5 – Stricter restrictions on DRS designs and wing deflections
The Drag Reduction System (DRS) essentially allows teams to open their rear wing and reduce downforce, allowing the car to travel at a faster speed.
The DRS system is activated when a car is within a second to the car in front of it, and is in one of the designated “DRS zones” on a track.
Teams have been able to design a “mini-DRS” concept, in which the rear wing tilts backwards when travelling at fast speeds.
The new restrictions look to eliminate this by defining the state of deployment and restriction to only two position: open and closed.
6 – Changes to qualifying classifications
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix in 2024 saw qualifying pushed back so far that it essentially happened as a prelude to the race on the Sunday, rather than happening the day prior.
The first change states that if the stewards deem the qualifying session unsafe to take place, the race classification order will be based on the Drivers' Championship classification.
Moreover, if one session of a qualifying takes place (Q1), but Q2 and Q3 takes places will multiple drivers not setting a time, they will be ranked based on who set the fastest lap in the prior session.
For example, if Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton both start a flying lap in Q3, but there is a red flag that ends the session, the two will be ranked based on which car was faster in Q2.
7 – A mule car tyre test
This will change the end-of-season testing in Abu Dhabi.
While one car can be allowed to be driven as usual by a driver who has started no more than two Grands Prix, the second car must be used to test tyres for 2026.
The tyres will be a different dimension and specification in 2026, and teams will need to test them during their end-of-season testing.
Full race schedule
Round One – Australia
Practice one – Fri, Mar 14, 1:30am GMT
Practice two – Fri, Mar 14, 5am GMT
Practice three – Sat, Mar 15, 1:30am GMT
Qualifying – Sat, Mar 15, 5am GMT
Race – Sun, Mar 16, 4am GMT
- Winner – Lando Norris
Round Two – China – Sprint weekend
Practice one – Fri, Mar 21, 3:30am GMT
Sprint Qualifying – Fri, Mar 21, 7:30am GMT
Sprint – Sat, Mar 22, 3am GMT
Qualifying – Sat, Mar 22, 7am GMT
Race – Sun, Mar 23, 7am GMT
- Winner – Oscar Piastri
Round Three – Japan
Practice one – Fri, Apr 4, 3:30am BST
Practice two – Fri, Apr 4, 7am BST
Practice three – Sat, Apr 5, 3:30am BST
Qualifying – Sat, Apr 5, 7am BST
Race – Sun, Apr 6, 6am BST
Round Four – Bahrain
Practice one – Fri, Apr 11, 12:30pm BST
Practice two – Fri, Apr 11, 4pm BST
Practice three – Sat, Apr 12, 1:30pm BST
Qualifying – Sat, Apr 12, 5pm BST
Race – Sun, Apr 13, 4pm BST
Round Five – Saudi Arabia
Practice one – Fri, Apr 18, 2:30pm BST
Practice two – Fri, Apr 18, 6pm BST
Practice three – Sat, Apr 19, 2:30pm BST
Qualifying – Sat, Apr 19, 6pm BST
Race – Sun, Apr 20, 6pm BST
Round Six – Miami – Sprint weekend
Practice one – Fri, May 2, 5:30pm BST
Sprint Qualifying- Fri, May 2 , 9:30pm BST
Sprint – Sat, May 3, 5pm BST
Qualifying – Sat, May 3, 9pm BST
Race – Sun, May 4, 9pm BST
Round Seven – Emilia-Romagna
Practice one – Fri, May 16, 12:30pm BST
Practice two – Fri, May 16, 4pm BST
Practice three – Sat, May 17, 11:30pm BST
Qualifying – Sat, May 17, 3pm BST
Race – Sun, May 18, 2pm BST
Round Eight – Monaco
Practice one – Fri, May 23, 12:30pm BST
Practice two – Fri, May 23, 4pm BST
Practice three – Sat, May 24, 11:30pm BST
Qualifying – Sat, May 24, 3pm BST
Race – Sun, May 25, 2pm BST
Round Nine – Spain
Practice one – Fri, May 30, 12:30pm BST
Practice two – Fri, May 30, 4pm BST
Practice three – Sat, May 31, 11:30pm BST
Qualifying – Sat, May 31, 3pm BST
Race – Sun, Jun 1, 2pm BST
Round Ten – Canada
Practice one – Fri, Jun 13, 6:30pm BST
Practice two – Fri, Jun 13, 10pm BST
Practice three – Sat, Jun 14, 5:30pm BST
Qualifying – Sat, Jun 14, 9pm BST
Race – Sun, Jun 15, 7pm BST
Round 11 – Austria
Practice one – Fri, Jun 27, 12:30pm BST
Practice two – Fri, Jun 27, 4pm BST
Practice three – Sat, Jun 28, 11:30pm BST
Qualifying – Sat, Jun 28, 3pm BST
Race – Sat, Jun 29, 2pm BST
Round 12 – Silverstone
Practice one – Fri, Jul 4, 12:30pm BST
Practice two – Fri, Jul 4, 4pm BST
Practice three – Sat, Jul 5, 11:30pm BST
Qualifying – Sat, Jul 5, 3pm BST
Race – Sun, Jul 6, 3pm BST
Round 13 – Belgium – Sprint weekend
Practice one – Fri, Jul 25, 11:30pm BST
Sprint Qualifying – Fri, Jul 25, 3:30pm BST
Sprint – Sat, Jul 26 , 11am BST
Qualifying – Sat, Jul 26, 3pm BST
Race – Sun, Jul 27, 2pm BST
Round 14 – Hungary
Practice one – Fri, Aug 1, 12:30pm BST
Practice two – Fri, Aug 1, 4pm BST
Practice three – Sat, Aug 2, 11:30am BST
Qualifying – Sat, Aug 2, 3pm BST
Race – Sun, Aug 3, 2pm BST
Round 15 – Netherlands
Practice one – Fri, Aug 29, 11:30am BST
Practice two – Fri, Aug 29, 3pm BST
Practice three – Sat, Aug 30, 10:30am BST
Qualifying – Sat, Aug 30, 2pm BST
Race – Sun, Aug 31, 2pm BST
Round 16 – Italy
Practice one – Fri, Sep 7, 12:30pm BST
Practice two – Fri, Sep 7, 4pm BST
Practice three – Sat, Sep 8, 11:30am BST
Qualifying – Sat, Sep 8, 3pm BST
Race – Sun, Sep 9, 2pm BST
Round 17 – Azerbaijan
Practice one – Fri, Sep 19, 9:30am BST
Practice two – Fri, Sep 19, 1pm BST
Practice three – Sat, Sep 20, 9:30am BST
Qualifying – Sat, Sep 20, 1pm BST
Race – Sun, Sep 21, 12pm BST
Round 18 – Singapore
Practice one – Fri, Oct 3, 10:30am BST
Practice two – Fri, Oct 3, 2pm BST
Practice three – Sat, Oct 4, 10:30am BST
Qualifying – Sat, Oct 4, 2pm BST
Race – Sun, Oct 5, 1pm BST
Round 19 – United States – Sprint weekend
Practice one – Fri, Oct 17, 6:30pm BST
Sprint Qualifying – Fri, Oct 17, 10:30pm BST
Sprint – Sat, Oct 18, 6pm BST
Qualifying – Sat, Oct 18, 10pm BST
Race – Sun, Oct 19, 8pm BST
Round 20 – Mexico
Practice one – Fri, Oct 24, 7:30pm BST
Practice two – Fri, Oct 24, 11pm BST
Practice three – Sat, Oct 25, 6:30pm BST
Qualifying – Sat, Oct 25, 10pm BST
Race – Sun, Oct 26, 8pm GMT
Round 21 – Brazil – Sprint weekend
Practice one – Fri, Nov 7, 2:30pm GMT
Sprint Qualifying – Fri, Nov 7, 6:30pm GMT
Sprint – Sat, Nov 8, 2pm GMT
Qualifying – Sat, Nov 8, 6pm GMT
Race – Sun, Nov 9, 5pm GMT
Round 22 – Las Vegas
Practice one – Fri, Nov 20, 12:30am GMT
Practice two – Fri, Nov 20, 4am GMT
Practice three – Sat, Nov 21, 12:30am GMT
Qualifying – Sat, Nov 21, 4am GMT
Race – Sun, Nov 22, 4am GMT
Round 23 – Qatar– Sprint weekend
Practice one – Fri, Nov 28, 1:30pm GMT
Sprint Qualifying – Fri, Nov 28, 5:30pm GMT
Sprint – Sat, Nov 29, 2pm GMT
Qualifying – Sat, Nov 29, 6pm GMT
Race – Sun, Nov 30, 4pm GMT
Round 24 – Abu Dhabi
Practice one – Fri, Dec 5, 9:30am GMT
Practice two – Fri, Dec 5, 1pm GMT
Practice three – Sat, Dec 6, 10:30am GMT
Qualifying – Sat, Dec 6, 2pm GMT
Race – Sun, Dec 7, 1pm GMT
