With more than half the Formula 1 season behind us, who can look at 2025 as a success and who needs to hit the ground running strong once racing resumes?
The Winners
McLaren
McLaren has continued the form that saw the team claim a first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 and has become the dominant force in 2025.
The Papaya machines have been scarily dominant at times and have won all but three Grands Prix this season.
The two clashing styles of drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have set up a fascinating fight for the World Championship in a clear two-horse race.
The last time the Woking-based squad did the Championship double was almost 30 years ago, but it is set to end the ground effect regulations as top dogs.
Max Verstappen
Despite the pursuit of a record-equalling fifth consecutive title fading, Max Verstappen has once again been one of the sport’s top performers this season.
The Dutchman’s two wins in 2025 came about through magical drives, while he has managed to upset the McLarens over one lap despite a car disadvantage.
But although Verstappen is pessimistic for the remainder of 2025, fearing he won’t win another race this season, he has still urged Red Bull not to give up.
George Russell
George Russell has solidified his position as one of the best on the grid, maximising his Mercedes W16 to six podium visits in 2025, the most of anyone other than the McLaren duo.
The Briton has put himself into positions to pick up podiums when not always on the pace for the rostrum, and like Verstappen, has been able to pull a few shocks out over one lap.
The highlight of his campaign has been his controlled victory from pole position in Canada, withstanding the challenge of Verstappen from lights to flag.
With tracks to come that should suit the Silver Arrows’ package, there are more opportunities for further victories as he pursues a new contract with Mercedes.
Williams
Williams is looking to end the ground effect era revitalised and heading in the right direction.
Alex Albon has been a key to the team’s success so far in 2025, with 54 points on the board already and four top-six appearances to his name.
While the adaptation to the team has taken some time for Carlos Sainz, the Spaniard has still played his part in the Grove-based squad’s push to the top of the midfield.
Sainz has picked up points in seven of the 14 race weekends to date, though misfortune has stopped him from scoring at the rate that his team-mate has.
Sauber
2025 has been a huge year for the Swiss-based Sauber team, and leaves them in good stead for the impending transition into Audi ownership for 2026.
Nico Hulkenberg has once again shown his quality as a midfield peddler and finally ended his wait to stand on an F1 podium after a wait of 239 races.
As well as this, 2024 Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto has really started to shine, putting an under the radar start to the season behind him to score in three of the last four.
Isack Hadjar
Isack Hadjar put a shaky start in Australia behind him to stake his claim to the title as best rookie on the grid so far in 2025.
The Frenchman has been a consistent points scorer and has easily been the second-best Red Bull-backed driver behind Verstappen.
22 points to his name, including a stunning run to the top six in Monaco, have Hadjar in prime position to make the switch to the senior squad for 2026.
The Losers
Ferrari
Despite maintaining second place in the Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari’s limitations with the SF-25 have consigned it to trailing 299 points behind McLaren.
Charles Leclerc’s five visits to the podium have been the best Ferrari has mustered, though the Monegasque hasn’t stood on the top step.
Besides this, seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton is yet to fully settle into his new environment in Maranello, with questions being asked about the goings on behind the scenes.
Yuki Tsunoda
Getting the call-up to the senior Red Bull team hasn’t been the dream come true for Yuki Tsunoda, as the Japanese driver has become the latest to struggle alongside Max Verstappen.
With seven points to his name as a Red Bull driver, and on a run of seven consecutive races without a point, Tsunoda looks to be the next driver to fall by the wayside for Red Bull.
Liam Lawson
Having got his rightful promotion to Red Bull for 2025, Lawson’s dream descended into a nightmare as he was demoted back to Racing Bulls after two race weekends.
However, in recent races Lawson has seemingly put that behind him and has scored points in four of the last seven weekends, including a career-best in Austria in July.
In the circumstance where the New Zealander manages to sustain this form past the summer break, he’ll surely be ending the season with more positives than negatives.
Alpine
2025 has been yet another disappointing campaign for Alpine, with Pierre Gasly being the only shining light for the Enstone-based squad.
The Frenchman has produced seven Q3 appearances and has 20 points to his name, the only thing keeping Alpine anywhere near the rest of the field.
On the other side of the garage, there has been disappointment with very few positives coming from an early-season driver swap between Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto.
While the team has the highest amount of points for a team last in the championship, it will come as little joy to a team once again wondering where it all went wrong.
READ MORE – Motorsport Week’s F1 2025 Mid-Season Driver Rankings
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