F1 2025: Season Analysis with Notes on Star Drivers

Formula 1 2025 Season Analysis: Ratings and Performance

The 2025 Formula 1 season ended a few weeks ago, and the calendar is already preparing for 2026. Before we get carried away with the excitement of the next season and its new regulations, it’s a good time to reflect on the recently concluded campaign. The season was full of emotions: nine different drivers stood on the podium, six rookies tasted the top of motorsport, four achieved victories, two teams made driver changes mid-season, a world champion faced a new environment and a new champion was crowned. We analyzed the 21 drivers who competed full-time on the F1 grid, assigning ratings based on their performance throughout the year.

Lando Norris | McLaren

Victories: 7
Podiums: 18
Championship position: 1st
Rating: B+ Regardless of opinions, Norris proved to be deserving of the world champion title in 2025. Although he wasn’t the best driver on the grid, he had moments of absolute dominance and overcame setbacks to become champion. His performances in the last third of the season were among the best of his career, demonstrating his ability to perform when it mattered most.

Oscar Piastri | McLaren

Wins: 7
Podiums: 16
Championship position: 3rd
Rating: B- Piastri seemed destined to be champion in 2025. His serenity and speed often overshadowed his teammate, Norris. However, two accidents in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marked a turning point, exposing weaknesses in his development. On low-grip tracks, he lost confidence and valuable seconds, costing him important points. Although his season was impressive, he did not achieve the top prize.

George Russell | Mercedes

Wins: 2
Podiums: 9
Championship position: 4th
Rating: A- Russell proved to be a potential champion, even though his car wasn’t always up to par. He was consistent, made few mistakes, and provided Mercedes’ only victories in Canada and Singapore. His performance level was very high, and if Mercedes positions itself as the team to beat in 2026, it could be his year.

Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes

Wins: 0
Podiums: 3
Championship position: 7th
Rating: C- For Antonelli, debuting at Mercedes at the age of 18 was a challenge. Although he had difficulties, his rookie season was promising. His potential was evident at the beginning, but he was affected by problems with the rear suspension. Despite a podium in Canada, his confidence was affected until Mercedes returned to the previous suspension, achieving a series of good results. At the end of the season, he began to justify the expectations.

Max Verstappen | Red Bull

Victories: 8
Podiums: 15
Championship position: 2nd
Rating: A Verstappen’s season was exceptional, solidifying his legacy. From Monza onwards, his performance was sublime, with memorable moments like his qualifying lap at Suzuka. The only negative point was the incident with Russell in Spain. Otherwise, his performance was almost perfect.

Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull

Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Championship position: 17th
Qualification: F After not being promoted to Red Bull, Tsunoda had a good start with Racing Bulls. However, upon replacing Lawson at Red Bull, he failed to live up to his potential, struggling as Verstappen’s teammate. His crash at Imola cost him valuable upgrades, and he never came close to his best performance in the second Red Bull seat.

Charles Leclerc | Ferrari

Wins: 0
Podiums: 7
Championship position: 5th
Rating: A- Leclerc took his Ferrari to unexpected positions. He was on the front row on five occasions and on the podium seven times. Leclerc’s exceptional talent stood out, saving Ferrari’s pride in a disappointing season. His performance confirmed the expectations that had been placed on him since his arrival in F1.

Max Verstappen, left, and Lando Norris were, without a doubt, the class of the F1 field in 2025.

Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari

Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Championship position: 6th
Qualification: F Hamilton’s season was disappointing, given his track record and the hype surrounding his arrival at Ferrari. Beyond his pole and victory in the China sprint, the positive moments were scarce. His attitude deteriorated, and the statistics don’t lie: zero poles, victories or podiums, and he was outperformed by his teammate in 19 out of 5 qualifying sessions. It wasn’t enough for a seven-time champion.

Alex Albon | Williams

Victories: 0
Podiums: 0
Championship position: 8th
Rating: C Albon had his most solid season, but it was overshadowed by his teammate’s podiums in the second half. Before the podium in Baku, Albon outperformed Sainz, and his performance changed drastically after that weekend. Although he lost points, he showed good performance, finishing fifth on four occasions. He also proved to be a team player, helping Sainz integrate.

Carlos Sainz | Williams

Victories: 0
Podiums: 2
Championship position: 9th
Rating: C+ For a large part of the season, Sainz’s results didn’t reflect his pace. After his arrival at Williams, he had an adaptation period, but it was details or errors that prevented him from obtaining the results he deserved. His podium in Baku was special, and a second podium in Qatar demonstrated his worth. At the end of the year, his performance suggests that the best of his career is yet to come.

Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls

Victories: 0
Podiums: 1
Championship position: 12th
Rating: B After a complicated start, Hadjar’s season was notable. His podium in Zandvoort stood out, and he progressed in Q1 on most occasions. His performance generated the idea that the Racing Bulls car was better than Red Bull’s. His promotion to the main team was based on his performance. A star with a great future.

Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls

Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Championship position: 14th
Rating: D Lawson’s season was difficult to judge. After being relegated from Red Bull, he rebuilt his career at Racing Bulls, but with ups and downs. Although he had good results, he made mistakes. His performance did not meet expectations.

Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin

Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Championship position: 10th
Rating: B Another great season for Alonso. After a slow start, he showed his best version again. Although he made mistakes, he knew how to make the most of it. Alonso remains unlucky, and scored more than half of the team’s points and outperformed Stroll in all classifications. It is expected that Adrian Newey will provide him with a car worthy of his talent.

Lance Stroll | Aston Martin

Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Championship position: 16th
Qualification: F Stroll had few impressive moments, and his season was unremarkable. He seemed bored and unmotivated, and he hasn’t progressed in his performances. Seasons like 2025 reinforce the idea that Stroll might not be deserving of a competitive car.

Oliver Bearman | Haas

Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Championship position: 13th
Rating: C Despite a complicated start, Bearman justified the expectations as a future Ferrari driver. His pace was evident from the beginning, and after the summer break, he scored points in six races, including a fourth place in the Mexican Grand Prix. Surpassing Ocon was a significant achievement for his rookie season.

Esteban Ocon | Haas

Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Championship position: 15th
Rating: D+ In a season where many drivers changed teams and struggled, Ocon was no different. His problems received less attention, but were evident until the last races. His average pace was lower than that of his rookie teammate, something he will need to improve with the rule changes in 2026.

Esteban Ocon was regularly outperformed by his rookie teammate in 2025, leaving the Frenchman with much room for improvement next season at Haas.

Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber

Victories: 0
Podiums: 1
Championship position: 11th
Rating: C Hülkenberg achieved the first podium of his career in his 239th Grand Prix. His weakness was qualifying, and he was matched by his rookie teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto. However, his experience shone on Sundays, earning points that left him in 11th place, despite Sauber’s limitations.

Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber

Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Championship position: 19th
Rating: C After a slow start, Bortoleto demonstrated his potential in his rookie season. He scored his first points at the Austrian Grand Prix, and began to show good performance. His qualifying record against his teammate was highlighted. He made mistakes, but his rookie season was on par with Hadjar, Bearman and Antonelli.

Pierre Gasly | Alpine

Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Championship position: 18th
Rating: A- Gasly had a heroic season with the worst car on the grid. He managed to get the Alpine into Q3 on 11 occasions and score points in seven races. Although he had a slump in the middle of the season, his performance was admirable.

Franco Colapinto | Alpine

Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Championship position: 20th
Qualification: F The expectations for Colapinto faded in 2025. Although he had the opportunity to compete with the worst car, he did not prove to be up to the task. He needs to improve to convince that he deserves a full-time seat in Formula 1.

Jack Doohan | Alpine

Victories: 0
Podiums: 0
Championship position: 21st
Qualification: F With only six races, it was impossible to evaluate Doohan’s potential at Alpine. He made mistakes, but the difficulty of the Alpine was demonstrated with Colapinto’s problems. Doohan outperformed Gasly twice in qualifying.