The 2025 Formula 1 season featured 21 drivers battling across 24 races, and with the year now complete, F1 columnist Finley Crebolder has ranked the top 10 performers of the campaign.

10. Carlos Sainz
Sainz endured a rocky start at Williams but quickly found his rhythm, showing he remains one of the grid’s finest. After being outpaced by teammate Alex Albon in the first half, he consistently outperformed him in the latter stages, earning three podium finishes—including one in a sprint race—over the final eight rounds. With Williams set to benefit from a strong Mercedes engine next season, more podiums are likely.

9. Kimi Antonelli
Touted as F1’s next big talent, Antonelli impressed in his rookie year despite some early errors. The Italian finished outside the top six just twice in his last eight races and scored podiums in Brazil and Las Vegas. He also became F1’s youngest-ever pole-sitter in Miami and amassed the most points by a rookie in history, a remarkable feat for an 18-year-old.

8. Ollie Bearman
Another standout rookie, Bearman made an immediate impact with consistent early-season points finishes. After a brief slump, he collected six top-ten finishes post-summer, including three top-six results. Outperforming teammate Esteban Ocon and showcasing world-class wheel-to-wheel racing, Bearman confirmed his potential to be a future star.

7. Fernando Alonso
At 44, Alonso remains one of F1’s elite. A slow start gave way to strong results once Aston Martin delivered a competitive car mid-season. He scored points in 11 of 16 races after June and outqualified his teammate every Saturday, proving he can still challenge the very best.

6. Isack Hadjar
Hadjar overcame a difficult debut with a crash on the formation lap to finish the season as the most impressive rookie. Consistently outperformed teammates, scored points regularly, and achieved a maiden podium in the Netherlands. His reward: a promotion to Red Bull for 2026, where he could finally provide Verstappen with a competitive teammate.

5. Oscar Piastri
Piastri’s season was a tale of two halves. The Australian dominated the opening 15 rounds with seven wins and consistent podiums but faltered late due to errors and team orders, losing the title battle. Still, his near-flawless early-season form and experience in a championship fight mark him as a future title contender.

4. Charles Leclerc
Leclerc extracted the maximum from a disappointing car, finishing on the podium seven times and consistently outqualifying Lewis Hamilton. Despite a less competitive car, his pace, consistency, and racecraft were outstanding, proving his skill remains elite.

3. Lando Norris
Norris overcame early-season struggles to claim the championship, displaying remarkable composure in the latter stages. His post-Netherlands resurgence saw him consistently outpace Piastri and hold off Verstappen, highlighting his emotional maturity and racecraft.

2. George Russell
Russell confirmed his status as one of F1’s very best, extracting maximum performance from his Mercedes throughout the season. With two wins, seven additional podiums, and consistent performances against Verstappen and McLaren, he is widely regarded as the 2026 title favorite.

1. Max Verstappen
Despite narrowly missing a fifth championship, Verstappen dominated in terms of wins and poles, often outperforming his machinery relative to Norris and Piastri. Aside from a single error in Spain, his consistent brilliance underscored why he remains a step ahead of the field.

While 2025 featured a deep roster of exceptional drivers, Verstappen, Russell, and Norris defined the season’s elite level, with rookies like Antonelli, Bearman, and Hadjar showcasing the sport’s exciting future.