The 2025 F1 Season: Triumphs, Disasters, and the Stories Behind Every Driver's Best and Worst Races
The 2025 Formula 1 season was a marathon of adrenaline, strategy, and sheer human determination, with 20 drivers battling it out over 30 races and 594 individual drives, including sprints. But beyond the podium celebrations and champagne sprays, every driver faced moments of glory and despair. Here’s a deep dive into the best and worst performances of each driver, complete with the stories that make F1 the drama-filled spectacle it is. But here’s where it gets controversial: some of these picks might surprise you, and we’re not afraid to ask—did we get it right, or did we miss the mark?**
Jack Doohan
Best: Bahrain (14th)
Doohan’s Bahrain performance was a masterclass in potential. For much of the race, he was on the cusp of scoring his first points, only to be thwarted by hard tires and a track limits penalty. And this is the part most people miss: his ability to stay competitive in a challenging car was a testament to his skill.
Worst: Australia (DNF)
After a promising qualifying, Doohan’s race ended in heartbreak. A yellow flag cost him dearly, and a first-lap crash in wet conditions sealed his fate. Was it bad luck, or a rookie mistake? The debate rages on.
Franco Colapinto
Best: Netherlands (11th)
Colapinto’s upward trajectory was on full display in the Netherlands. He nearly scored his only point of the season, coming agonizingly close to overtaking Esteban Ocon. Controversial take: with a bit more time, he might have clinched it. Do you agree?
Worst: Spain (15th)
Colapinto himself admitted this was a weekend to forget. While teammate Pierre Gasly shone, Colapinto struggled, stuck in traffic and unable to make an impact. Was it the car, or the driver? Let’s discuss.
Gabriel Bortoleto
Best: Mexico (10th)
Bortoleto’s Mexico performance was a showcase of relentless pace and precision. His late pass secured a hard-fought point, proving he’s a force to be reckoned with.
Worst: Brazil (DNF)
Racing at home, Bortoleto’s aggression backfired. An overzealous move on the first lap ended in a crash, leaving fans wondering what could have been. Thought-provoking question: Is aggression a strength or a weakness in F1?
Pierre Gasly
Best: Britain (6th)
Gasly’s Silverstone drive was reminiscent of Nico Hulkenberg’s famous podium, minus the perfect pit stop. The Alpine’s performance, combined with Gasly’s skill, delivered a strong sixth place.
Worst: Qatar (16th)
A combination of early mistakes and a collision with Hulkenberg derailed Gasly’s race. Controversial interpretation: Was Gasly fully to blame, or did the car let him down?
Yuki Tsunoda
Best: Australia (12th)
Tsunoda’s standout performance came in Australia, where he briefly challenged for points before being caught out by the rain. Interesting counterpoint: Was this his best drive, or just a fleeting moment of brilliance?
Worst: Austria (16th)
Struggling with pace and tire management, Tsunoda’s Austria race was a disaster. A 10-second penalty for colliding with Colapinto added insult to injury. Question for the audience: Is Tsunoda’s inconsistency a red flag?
Lance Stroll
Best: Hungary (7th)
Stroll’s Hungary performance was a solid display of race craft, holding his own against teammate Fernando Alonso in terms of pace.
Worst: Qatar (17th)
A pitlane speeding penalty and underwhelming pace summed up Stroll’s Qatar race. Bold statement: Was this a case of driver error, or a reflection of the car’s limitations?
Esteban Ocon
Best: China (5th)
Ocon’s China performance was a highlight of his season. His midfield dominance and daring grass pass on Kimi Antonelli showcased his skill.
Worst: Italy (15th)
A clumsy move on Stroll at Monza earned Ocon a penalty, tarnishing an otherwise decent performance. Controversial question: Is Ocon’s consistency overrated?
Liam Lawson
Best: Azerbaijan (5th)
Lawson’s drive to fifth in Azerbaijan was impressive, especially given the Racing Bulls’ pace. Keeping Tsunoda’s Red Bull behind was a feat in itself.
Worst: Australia (DNF)
Lawson’s struggles with the Red Bull RB21 were evident in Australia, where he crashed after failing to make progress in the midfield.
Ollie Bearman
Best: Mexico (4th)
Bearman’s Mexico performance was elevated by a bold move on Max Verstappen, showcasing his judgment and speed.
Worst: Hungary (DNF)
Despite a reasonable drive, Bearman’s Hungary race ended in retirement after damaging his floor. Thought-provoking question: Is Bearman’s aggression a double-edged sword?
Isack Hadjar
Best: Netherlands (3rd)
Hadjar’s Zandvoort drive was flawless, with relentless pace and a podium finish. Controversial take: Was this a one-off, or a sign of things to come?
Worst: Australia (DNS)
Crashing on the formation lap in Australia was a low point for Hadjar. Question for the audience: Can he bounce back from this embarrassment?
Nico Hulkenberg
Best: Britain (3rd)
Hulkenberg’s Silverstone podium was a masterclass in timing and pace, turning a good race into a remarkable one.
Worst: China (15th)
A mediocre start and a trip through the gravel in China left Hulkenberg with a damaged car and a long afternoon.
Fernando Alonso
Best: Singapore (7th)
Alonso’s Singapore performance was a ‘midfield win,’ requiring consistent pace and decisive passes despite a slow pit stop.
Worst: Australia (DNF)
A crash at Turn 6 ended Alonso’s race prematurely, though he blamed gravel on the track. Bold statement: Was this just bad luck, or a misjudgment?
Carlos Sainz
Best: Qatar (3rd)
Sainz’s Qatar podium was a display of strong pace and precision, holding off Norris and Antonelli in the closing stages.
Worst: Australia (DNF)
A torque kick under the safety car sent Sainz into the wall, raising questions about his familiarity with the Mercedes power unit.
Alex Albon
Best: Miami (5th)
Albon’s Miami performance was highlighted by an opportunistic pass on teammate Sainz, showcasing his strong pace.
Worst: Azerbaijan (13th)
A half-hearted lunge on Colapinto earned Albon a penalty, eliminating any chance of recovery. Controversial question: Is Albon’s aggression holding him back?
Kimi Antonelli
Best: Brazil (2nd)
Antonelli’s Brazil performance was excellent, keeping Verstappen at bay despite early contact with Leclerc.
Worst: Austria (DNF)
A misjudgment on the opening lap led to a collision with Verstappen, marking Antonelli’s biggest rookie mistake.
Lewis Hamilton
Best: China sprint (1st)
Hamilton’s China sprint win was a reminder of his dominance, controlling the race from pole to finish.
Worst: Brazil (DNF)
Clashes with Sainz and Colapinto on the first lap ended Hamilton’s Brazil race early. Thought-provoking question: Is Hamilton past his prime?
Charles Leclerc
Best: United States (3rd)
Leclerc’s Austin performance was a highlight, keeping Norris’s faster McLaren behind for much of the race.
Worst: Britain (14th)
A misjudged switch to slicks and a collision with Sainz summed up Leclerc’s poor British Grand Prix.
George Russell
Best: Singapore (1st)
Russell’s Singapore win was a display of control, managing tires and keeping Verstappen at bay.
Worst: Britain (10th)
Despite genuine pace, Russell’s Silverstone race was compromised by early switches to slicks. Controversial take: Was this a strategic error, or just bad luck?
Oscar Piastri
Best: Spain (1st)
Piastri’s Spain win was a masterclass in managing threats from Verstappen and Norris, especially in the middle stint.
Worst: Azerbaijan (DNF)
Two errors in quick succession in Baku were uncharacteristic of Piastri. Question for the audience: Is this a one-off, or a sign of pressure?
Max Verstappen
Best: Brazil (3rd)
Starting from the pitlane, Verstappen charged to third in Brazil, overcoming a puncture and setup challenges.
Worst: Spain (10th)
Verstappen’s ‘red mist’ in Spain led to a penalty and a 10th-place finish. Bold statement: Was this a moment of weakness, or just human error?
Lando Norris
Best: Austria (1st)
Norris’s Austria win was a battle, outdoing Piastri in a race that showcased his skill.
Worst: Canada (18th)
A misjudged move on Piastri ended Norris’s Canada race prematurely. Controversial question: Is Norris’s aggression his greatest strength and weakness?
Final Thought: Every driver has highs and lows, but it’s how they respond that defines their legacy. Who do you think bounced back the strongest? And whose worst performance was the most unforgivable? Let’s debate in the comments!
