Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel has predicted that the 2025 Drivers’ Championship will be a rematch of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s fight in 2021, going down to the final race in Abu Dhabi.
The touring car veteran believes the two stars to be the strongest drivers on the grid.
Hamilton has been trudging a long road back to the top since losing out to Verstappen on the final lap of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Brit went winless through 2022 and 2023 as Mercedes struggled to tame the W13 and W14 cars before claiming two victories in an otherwise disappointing 2024 campaign.
However, in Ferrari he joins a team that pushed McLaren to the final race for the Constructors’ Championship title in 2024, and the Scuderia are expected to be contenders again this year.
According to Coronel, this could set up a repeat of 2021 as Hamilton looks to wrangle the crown off four-time world champion Verstappen.
He told Motorsport.com: “In 2021, I’ve been very clear about it: it’s going to happen.
“The last race. The last corner. The last round. Okay, well, in terms of corner, I was just four off. One had to be dethroned.
The other wanted to show that he was really the best – which he already was then. Only then, you have to get it done with the whole team.
“And, of course, he has shown that in recent years. So yes, I do think it will be the battle between these two [again in 2025].
Because if you’re just talking about the two best, fastest drivers – and I’m talking about the whole package – then it’s these two. Then it’s Lewis and Max.”
Coronel added: “These two are so evenly matched. And then in a different style, in a different way, that I definitely believe that the two will meet in 2025.
“Because in my opinion, the Ferrari is the car we really need to keep an eye on, especially in the combination with [Charles] Leclerc and Lewis.
It is a team that is growing. So no, these two are just going to do it again. I have booked another ticket to Abu Dhabi, the last race.”
Coronel’s prediction is a snub for Hamilton’s new team-mate Leclerc, and the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
All three drivers consider themselves title contenders heading into the 2025 campaign after claiming multiple Grand Prix victories last term.
