F1 team announce major driver 'UPGRADE' for 2025 season

A Formula 1 team have sparked excitement amongst fans ahead of the new season by announcing a huge driver change.

The 2025 campaign is set to get started at the Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16, with teams' preparations now well under way as they look to make it a year to remember.

F1 HEADLINES: Hamilton TRIUMPH declared as Red Bull left FUMING

READ MORE: Horner breaks silence after SHOCK F1 axe

There will be a number of new faces on the grid at lights out in Melbourne, with a host of rookies making their long-awaited debuts , including the likes of Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber, VBARB's Isack Hadjar, and teen sensation Kimi Antonelli, who will line up for Mercedes following Lewis Hamilton's blockbuster switch to Ferrari.

Lining up alongside Charles Leclerc, the 40-year-old is one of many hoping to end the dominance of reigning champion Max Verstappen, who will also have a new partner this season in Liam Lawson.

Hamilton has replaced Carlos Sainz at the Scuderia, but the Spaniard has already found a new home at Williams.

To shop official Williams merchandise, click here to browse a variety of team pieces via F1 fanatics.

Williams duo reveal 'upgrade'

The iconic British outfit endured a miserable 2024, accumulating just 17 points to finish ninth in the constructors' standings.

Even replacing the struggling Logan Sargeant with Franco Colapinto mid-season wasn't enough to turn their faltering campaign around.

But team boss James Vowles is confident the addition of Sainz - who will pair up with Alex Albon - can get Williams in a position to fight for points on a consistent basis.

But before all that, there was another important matter to resolve - the duo's nickname.

READ MORE: Hamilton set for Abu Dhabi 2021 REPEAT in cheeky title battle warning

Fans were tasked with casting their votes to decide on the winning title, with Carbon (a combination of Carlos and Albon) coming out on top.

Yet while the it got the seal of approval from the new team-mates, they opted to make one small 'upgrade'.

In a video posted on their official X account, Sainz said: "We need to upgrade it to Carbono.

"Carbonara is cool but it is too funny in a way. We need something a bit more serious and aggressive."

C̶a̶r̶b̶o̶n̶... Carbono ✅

The boys have spoken, what do we think? ? pic.twitter.com/LhnFBfae9w

— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) February 3, 2025

READ MORE: Ricciardo reveals NEW destination in stunning season announcement

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Max Verstappen signs for Mercedes as F1 insider predicts every move in wild silly season

• Yesterday 20:54

Ferrari poach Mercedes F1 star as double signing ramps up title fight

• Yesterday 18:42

F1 champion hits back at Lewis Hamilton age attacks

• Yesterday 10:55

FIA hits out at F1 manufacturers over 2026 rules after bombshell Lewis Hamilton comment

• Yesterday 08:15

Martin Brundle claims this F1 moment blew title race wide open

• Yesterday 22:27

'Sometimes we get it wrong' Toto Wolff on parenting as son, Jack, wins again

• Yesterday 17:27