Get ready for an in-depth look at the highs and lows of the 2025 Formula 1 season! We're diving into the best and worst performances of each driver, and trust me, it's a wild ride. With 594 race drives, including sprints and non-starters, this season had it all. From thrilling podiums to heartbreaking DNFs, let's uncover the stories behind these 21 drivers' journeys.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Jack Doohan:
Best: Bahrain (14th) - Doohan's closest call with points, he dominated until the final stint, where hard tires slowed him down. A track limits penalty added insult to injury.
Worst: Australia (DNF) - Promising qualifying pace, but a yellow flag and a wet-weather crash on the first lap ended his race early.
Franco Colapinto:
Best: Netherlands (11th) - A strong upward curve in performance, Colapinto almost scored his first point, narrowly missing out on passing Esteban Ocon.
Worst: Spain (15th) - A challenging weekend, Colapinto struggled to keep up with teammate Pierre Gasly, getting stuck in traffic and finishing towards the back.
Gabriel Bortoleto:
Best: Mexico (10th) - Bortoleto's standout weekend in Hungary, but his excellent qualifying in Mexico earned him a hard-fought point with relentless pace.
Worst: Brazil (DNF) - A nightmare at home, Bortoleto's aggressive move on Lance Stroll ended in a cul-de-sac and a wall, a disappointing end to his race.
And this is the part most people miss...
Pierre Gasly:
Best: Britain (6th) - A drive reminiscent of Nico Hulkenberg's famous podium, Gasly's strong sixth place was thanks to Silverstone's faster corners, where the Alpine excelled.
Worst: Qatar (16th) - Despite the Alpine's competitiveness, Gasly's race was compromised by an early mistake and a collision with Hulkenberg, costing him a potential points finish.
Yuki Tsunoda:
Best: Australia (12th) - Tsunoda's strongest drive in a Racing Bull, not a Red Bull, speaks volumes. He passed Charles Leclerc in the rain, but a late decision to stay on slicks dropped him out of the points.
Worst: Austria (16th) - Struggling for pace and tire wear, Tsunoda was the only driver to pit three times. A penalty for colliding with Colapinto added to his woes.
Lance Stroll:
Best: Hungary (7th) - A solid race, Stroll kept up with teammate Fernando Alonso, making a strong showing.
Worst: Qatar (17th) - A disappointing 17th place, Stroll's race was marred by underwhelming pace and a self-inflicted pitlane speeding penalty.
Esteban Ocon:
Best: China (5th) - Ocon's outstanding drive in China, where he led the midfield and finished fifth after the Ferraris were disqualified, was a highlight. His on-grass pass on Kimi Antonelli was a masterstroke.
Worst: Italy (15th) - Despite generally solid Sundays, Ocon's penalty for forcing Stroll off-track at Monza was a needless mistake.
Liam Lawson:
Best: Azerbaijan (5th) - Lawson's impressive drive, overshadowed by Carlos Sainz's podium, kept Tsunoda's Red Bull at bay. He covered Antonelli in the first stint and maintained a clean race.
Worst: Australia (DNF) - Lawson's struggles with the Red Bull RB21 were evident as he made no progress in the midfield before crashing.
Ollie Bearman:
Best: Mexico (4th) - Bearman's moment of brilliance came when he passed Max Verstappen, consolidating his position with exceptional judgment and speed.
Worst: Hungary (DNF) - Despite a reasonable drive, Bearman's retirement was due to floor damage after running wide. A promising performance cut short.
Isack Hadjar:
Best: Netherlands (3rd) - Hadjar's Zandvoort drive was exceptional, covering Leclerc's threat, maintaining a perfect race, and showcasing relentless pace.
Worst: Australia (DNS) - Crashing on the formation lap of his first grand prix, Hadjar's mistake at Turn 2 in Australia was a disappointing start.
Nico Hulkenberg:
Best: Britain (3rd) - Hulkenberg's sound judgment in switching to slicks at Silverstone earned him a remarkable finish, showcasing his impressive race drives in 2025.
Worst: China (15th) - Starting close to the points, Hulkenberg's mediocre start and off-track excursion damaged his Sauber, leading to a challenging afternoon.
Fernando Alonso:
Best: Singapore (7th) - Alonso's 'midfield win' was a hard-fought battle, requiring consistent pace and decisive passes, despite a lengthy pitstop.
Worst: Australia (DNF) - Alonso's race ended early in 10th place after a crash at Turn 6, which he blamed on gravel from another car.
Carlos Sainz:
Best: Qatar (3rd) - Sainz's strong pace on Qatar's high-speed sweeps, coupled with a nail-biting finish, earned him a podium.
Worst: Australia (DNF) - An unfamiliar Mercedes power unit caused Sainz to crash under the safety car, a disappointing start to his season.
Alex Albon:
Best: Miami (5th) - Albon's opportunistic pass on teammate Sainz elevated his drive, showcasing strong pace throughout.
Worst: Azerbaijan (13th) - A poor qualifying and a half-hearted lunge on Colapinto, resulting in a penalty, compromised his recovery chances.
Kimi Antonelli:
Best: Brazil (2nd) - Antonelli's excellent race, including a close battle with Verstappen, showcased his pace and skill.
Worst: Austria (DNF) - A rookie mistake at Turn 3, colliding with Verstappen, ended Antonelli's race prematurely.
Lewis Hamilton:
Best: China sprint (1st) - Hamilton's dominant performance in the China sprint was a reminder of his consistent brilliance.
Worst: Brazil (DNF) - A combination of slow pace and clashes with Sainz and Colapinto led to Hamilton's early retirement.
Charles Leclerc:
Best: United States (3rd) - Leclerc's Austin performance, keeping Norris's faster McLaren at bay, was a standout moment.
Worst: Britain (14th) - A misjudged switch to slicks and an untidy race, culminating in a collision with Sainz, made for a poor drive, even considering Ferrari's wet struggles.
George Russell:
Best: Singapore (1st) - Russell's pole-to-win performance was superb, managing his tires and keeping Verstappen covered.
Worst: Britain (10th) - Despite quick pace, Russell's early switch to slicks compromised his result, leading to an off-track moment.
Oscar Piastri:
Best: Spain (1st) - Piastri's win from pole was a masterclass, managing threats from Verstappen and Norris.
Worst: Azerbaijan (DNF) - An unexpected double mistake in Baku, jumping the start and crashing, resulted in a penalty and a disappointing finish.
Max Verstappen:
Best: Brazil (3rd) - Starting from the pitlane, Verstappen's charge to third, despite a puncture, showcased his skill with setup changes.
Worst: Spain (10th) - Verstappen's frustration led to a penalty after hitting Russell's Mercedes, turning a potential fifth-place finish into a disappointing tenth.
Lando Norris:
Best: Austria (1st) - Norris's controlled race, covering the threat of Piastri, was a highlight.
Worst: Canada (18th) - A strong race drive, but a misjudged moment, crashing into Piastri's McLaren, ended his race early.
There you have it, a comprehensive look at the best and worst of the 2025 F1 season. Which driver's story surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's discuss!
