Jonas Leo
Max Verstappen has definitively emerged as the preeminent Formula 1 driver of the 2025 season, securing the top position in a multifaceted evaluation compiled from the perspectives of team principals, his fellow drivers, leading motorsport publications Motorsport and Autosport, and the sport’s global fanbase. This consensus underscores a season of unparalleled performance and consistency for the Dutch driver, solidifying his status as the sport’s dominant force.
The comprehensive assessment utilized a rigorous methodology, aggregating rankings from four distinct panels. Formula 1 itself commissioned confidential polls from all current team principals and drivers, each asked to submit their personal top 10 drivers from the 2025 campaign. To standardize the evaluation, a points system mirroring the current F1 championship structure (25 points for first, 18 for second, down to 1 point for tenth) was applied to individual submissions, generating separate standings for each group. Concurrently, Autosport, a sister publication to Motorsport.com, leveraged the expertise of its F1 writers, Stuart Codling and Jake Boxall-Legge, to establish an independent editorial ranking. The fourth and final component involved an aggregation of race-by-race average ratings submitted by Autosport readers throughout the 2025 season, reflecting the collective sentiment of the fan base.
Despite the diverse composition of the judging panels, Verstappen secured the top spot in all four instances, a testament to a season widely regarded as one of his career-best. While his supremacy was unquestioned, the battle for positions immediately behind him was notably intense, with Lando Norris, George Russell, Oscar Piastri, and Charles Leclerc consistently featuring in the upper echelons of the rankings. These five drivers collectively formed the widely recognized elite of the 2025 season, though nuances in opinion emerged between the various voting bodies.
The F1-commissioned polls, designed to provide an insider’s perspective, revealed intriguing dynamics. A notable aspect of these confidential surveys was the absence of participation from several key figures and teams. Representatives from the Red Bull and Ferrari teams, whose drivers would naturally be subjects of the ranking, opted out, a decision often made to avoid potential conflicts of interest or to maintain internal team cohesion. Furthermore, prominent drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg, Yuki Tsunoda, and Lance Stroll also chose not to submit their top 10s. Despite these absences, the remaining team principals and drivers offered a clear endorsement of Verstappen’s unmatched performance.
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Behind Verstappen, the internal F1 polls indicated a tight contest. Lando Norris, piloting his McLaren with remarkable consistency, often featured prominently, reflecting a season where he demonstrated both raw pace and strategic acumen. George Russell, leading the charge for Mercedes, showcased the adaptability and skill that positioned him as a consistent threat, even as his team navigated the competitive landscape of 2025. McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri continued to build on his burgeoning reputation, delivering a series of mature performances that belied his relative inexperience, solidifying his position as one of the sport’s most exciting young talents. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s top performer, was frequently cited for his exceptional speed and qualifying prowess. However, a significant divergence in opinion emerged regarding Leclerc: while drivers and media largely placed him within this elite quintet, team principals, on average, ranked him lower, positioning him behind veteran Fernando Alonso and his Ferrari teammate, Carlos Sainz. This disparity might reflect the broader team performance context or specific race-day evaluations from the principal’s perspective.
Motorsport and Autosport’s editorial ranking, formulated by seasoned F1 journalists Stuart Codling and Jake Boxall-Legge, echoed the sentiment of Verstappen’s dominance. Their expert analysis, drawing upon decades of covering the sport, highlighted Verstappen’s strategic brilliance, unparalleled car control, and ability to extract maximum performance under pressure throughout the 2025 season. Their assessment also underscored the strong showings of Norris, Russell, Piastri, and Leclerc, recognizing their consistent podium contention and race-winning potential. This journalistic perspective, grounded in detailed observation and analytical rigor, provided a crucial benchmark against the subjective views of insiders and the collective sentiment of fans.
The Autosport readers’ aggregated ratings, compiled from average scores submitted after each Grand Prix, offered a grassroots perspective. This democratic poll, representing the passionate and engaged F1 fanbase, also placed Verstappen at the pinnacle. The consistent high marks he received throughout the season reflected the fans’ appreciation for his thrilling overtakes, masterful race management, and the sheer spectacle of his performances. The fan rankings further validated the strong performances of Norris, Russell, Piastri, and Leclerc, indicating that their on-track exploits resonated widely with the global audience.
Beyond the top five, a compelling narrative unfolded concerning the strong performances of midfield contenders. Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz were consistently recognized for their veteran experience and ability to extract significant results from their respective machinery, often battling for positions within the top six. Alonso, in particular, continued to defy expectations with his sustained performance levels, demonstrating a relentless competitive spirit. Sainz, despite his Ferrari teammate Leclerc often being rated higher by some, showcased his own brand of consistent, intelligent racing that earned him strong marks, particularly from team principals.
A surprising highlight of the 2025 season rankings was the consistent inclusion of Nico Hulkenberg. The German driver, known for his experience and reliable performances, featured twice within the top six across the various polls, indicating a significant upturn in his personal form or the competitive improvements of his team. His ability to punch above his weight class garnered widespread recognition.
Perhaps the most significant breakout story from the midfield was Isack Hadjar. The French driver, in what was described as a "strong rookie year," made an indelible impression, standing out as the only midfielder to be included in all four top 10 rankings. His consistent and impressive performances throughout 2025, which notably included a podium finish, culminated in him securing a coveted seat at Red Bull for the following season, signaling his rapid ascent within the sport’s hierarchy. Hadjar’s debut season was a testament to raw talent and swift adaptation to Formula 1’s demanding environment.
Conversely, several established and emerging talents failed to secure a spot in any of the top 10 rankings. Lewis Hamilton, in his inaugural season with Ferrari, notably did not feature in any of the compiled top 10s. This absence aligns with reports from the 2025 season suggesting that "life at Ferrari became a ‘nightmare’" for the seven-time world champion, indicating a challenging adaptation period or unexpected struggles for the legendary driver at his new team. Similarly, Liam Lawson, Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, Yuki Tsunoda, and Gabriel Bortoleto were also absent from all aggregated top 10 lists, suggesting a season where their performances, while perhaps strong at times, did not reach the consistent elite level recognized by the panels. Part-time drivers Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto, due to their limited participation in the season, also did not make it into any of the top 10 rankings, which is a common outcome for drivers not competing in a full season.
When aggregating all four rankings – those of team bosses, drivers, Motorsport/Autosport writers, and fans – using the standard 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 points system, a definitive global top 10 emerges. This overarching ranking not only confirmed Max Verstappen as the undisputed number one driver of the 2025 Formula 1 season but also highlighted the intense competition and evolving landscape behind him. The collective assessment provides a comprehensive and credible snapshot of the driver hierarchy, offering valuable insights into the performances that captured the attention of all segments of the Formula 1 world in a compelling and highly competitive year. The results reinforce the notion that while individual perspectives may vary, exceptional talent and consistent performance ultimately garner universal acclaim within the pinnacle of motorsport.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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