Formula 1 News: We rank the top-10 Formula 1 drivers of 2025

The 2025 Formula 1 season delivered one of the most thrilling title fights in recent memory, with Lando Norris clinching his maiden World Drivers’ Championship by a mere two points over Max Verstappen, while teammate Oscar Piastri finished just 13 points further back. McLaren dominated the Constructors’ standings, but points alone don’t tell the full story of a driver’s brilliance—or resilience—in a 24-race marathon.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

This ranking looks deeper: at qualifying prowess, racecraft, consistency under pressure, overperformance relative to machinery, and those unforgettable standout drives. In a year where Red Bull faltered mid-season only to surge back, Ferrari disappointed, and midfield heroes emerged, here are the top 10 drivers who defined 2025.

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – The Unyielding Master

Max Verstappen poses during the Oracle Red Bull Racing brand shoot, while wearing the 2025 Sparco Race suit on February 16, 2025 // Will Cornelius / Content Pool /

Rank in Point Standings: 2nd
No. of Wins: 8 (most of any driver)
No. of Poles: 8 (most of any driver)
No. of Fastest Laps: 3
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 8-0
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: 22-0 (approximate, dominating both Tsunoda and Lawson)

Even in defeat, Verstappen reminded the world why he’s widely regarded as the grid’s benchmark. Driving a Red Bull that was often off the pace early on, he dominated teammates Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, scoring 93% of the team’s points at times. His late-season resurgence—eight wins, including masterful recoveries—was Herculean, turning a 104-point deficit into a near-miss title. Few errors, relentless overtaking, and drives like Brazil from pit lane to podium cemented his status as 2025’s standout performer.

2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – The Champion’s Evolution

McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris. Image supplied by McLaren

Rank in Point Standings: 1st
No. of Wins: 7
No. of Poles: 7
No. of Fastest Laps: 6
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 7-7 (tied with Piastri)
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: 13-11

Norris’s journey from talented nearly-man to world champion was the season’s defining narrative. Early mistakes and a Dutch GP retirement threatened to derail him, but his growth was profound: calmer under pressure, ruthless in key moments like Mexico’s dominant win, and composed in Abu Dhabi to seal the title. In the fastest car for much of the year, he edged Piastri fairly and delivered when it mattered most, proving he could handle the heat of a three-way fight.

3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – The Quiet Assassin

McLaren F1 driver Oscar Piastri. Image supplied by McLaren

Rank in Point Standings: 3rd
No. of Wins: 7
No. of Poles: 6
No. of Fastest Laps: 6
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 7-7 (tied with Norris)
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: 11-13

Piastri led the championship for 15 rounds and thrived in McLaren’s dominant machine, claiming seven wins and an eight-race podium streak early on. His one-lap pace was electric, and his maturity in wheel-to-wheel battles shone through. A mid-to-late season dip cost him the title, but his consistency and ability to challenge Norris head-on marked him as a future champion in waiting—one of the most complete drives of his young career.

4. George Russell (Mercedes) – The Best of the Rest

George Russell - 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, - LAT Images for Mercedes — George Russell – 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, – LAT Images for Mercedes

Rank in Point Standings: 4th
No. of Wins: 2
No. of Poles: 2
No. of Fastest Laps: 3 (approximate)
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 2-0
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: 13-1 (mid-season reference)

In a Mercedes that lagged behind the top three, Russell delivered his finest season yet: two wins (Canada and Singapore), nine podiums, and minimal mistakes. He was the clear leader outside McLaren and Verstappen, outscoring everyone else convincingly. His error-free campaign and ability to maximize a tricky car established him as a potential title contender with better machinery.

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – Extracting the Impossible

Charles Leclerc. Image Supplied by Ferrari

Rank in Point Standings: 5th
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 1
No. of Fastest Laps: 2 (approximate)
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 0-0
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: 10-4 (mid-season)

Ferrari’s 2025 was a disappointment—no wins and early development shifts to 2026—but Leclerc shone brightly. Seven podiums, one pole, and consistent overperformance in a “handful” car highlighted his qualifying brilliance and race management. He often dragged the SF-25 higher than it deserved, ending strongly in Abu Dhabi. A class act in a frustrating year.

6. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – The Midfield Miracle Worker

Rank in Point Standings: ~15th+ (scored points in weak car)
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 0
No. of Fastest Laps: 1 (approximate)
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 0-0
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Outqualified partners

Trapped in the season’s worst car with few upgrades, Gasly’s year was heroic. Multiple Q3 appearances, points in unlikely spots, and a standout Silverstone sixth belied Alpine’s struggles. He consistently outperformed the machinery, earning praise for dragging it into positions it had no right to be in—a brilliant, underrated campaign.

7. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Williams) – The Late Bloomer

Williams F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr. Photo supplied by Williams

Rank in Point Standings: ~9th (late surge)
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 0
No. of Fastest Laps: 1
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 0-0
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Dominated Albon late

Adapting to Williams took time—early spins and midfield battles—but Sainz exploded late: two podiums (including Azerbaijan’s first for Williams in years) and dominating Albon in the final third. His insight boosted the team, and strong drives in Qatar and beyond vindicated his move. A driver and leader who turned potential into results.

8. Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber) – The Podium Veteran

Rank in Point Standings: ~12th
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 0
No. of Fastest Laps: 0
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 0-0
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Even with Bortoleto

After 15 years, Hülkenberg finally tasted podium champagne with a masterful wet-weather Silverstone drive. Spearheading Sauber’s resurgence, he scored crucial points and outpaced rookie teammate Gabriel Bortoleto in races. Consistent, reborn, and pivotal in the team’s late-season credibility boost.

9. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – The Rookie Revelation

Rank in Point Standings: ~10th+
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 0
No. of Fastest Laps: 1
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 0-0
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Outqualified decisively

The standout newcomer: a Zandvoort podium (Racing Bulls’ first in years), 16 Q3 appearances in a midfield car, and outqualifying teammates decisively. Clean progress, no major late errors, and composure beyond his years made him French F1’s youngest podium finisher—a breakout star.

10. Alexander Albon (Williams) – The Reliable Overachiever

Rank in Point Standings: 8th (early consistency)
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 0
No. of Fastest Laps: 1
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: 0-0
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Strong early

Albon called it his strongest season, and rightly so: consistent points for Williams early on, strong qualifying, and maximizing the car’s potential before Sainz’s late surge. Reliable racecraft and standout drives kept him ahead in a rebuilding team.

2025 was a season of redemption, breakthroughs, and raw talent shining through adversity. While Norris lifts the trophy, Verstappen’s near-miraculous fight and the midfield warriors remind us why F1 captivates: it’s not just about the fastest car, but the drivers who bend seasons to their will. Roll on 2026!