2025 F1 season RECAP!

Season opener: chaos, wet tyres and an early statement

Attending every race this year gave the best seat to the unpredictable start of the season. The opener in Australia was a wet-weather spectacle full of incidents that set the tone. Pre-race drama, a few early retirements and spins shuffled the order before the chequered flag. By the end of that chaotic afternoon, Lando Norris stood on the podium, a clear early signal that McLaren would be a force all year.

Early season shocks and disqualifications

Round two in China produced one of the most surprising storylines: both Ferraris were disqualified after the race, and Pierre Gasly joined them in stepping away from the results. That moment felt like the start of a rough year for Ferrari — mechanical gremlins and regulatory missteps cost them dearly.

Japan added its own headlines. A driver swap between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda did not deliver the instant spark Red Bull had hoped for. Meanwhile Max Verstappen ended a nine-month win drought, taking victory in front of a passionate crowd. The season kept delivering dramatic plot twists at almost every stop.

Moments that mattered: personalities, parades and podiums

There was more than on-track action; the paddock produced memorable human moments. In Jeddah, drivers showed up with partners and celebrations that made for great photography and conversation. Lando’s Q3 crash there meant a P10 start but the weekend still offered big moments for fans and photographers alike.

Miami brought quirky spectacle — Lego cars for the drivers’ parade and the news that Max had become a father created a unique atmosphere around the event. On-track, Oscar Piastri collected a hat-trick of wins early in the season, staking strong personal claims amid McLaren’s rise.

Monaco remains the jewel on the calendar. A mandated double-stop rule tried to spark overtaking but produced the opposite effect. Still, Lando claimed victory and set a new track benchmark in an F1 car, while the glamour of staying on a boat and walking the paddock provided the classic backdrop the city is famous for.

Midseason turning points and off-track shakeups

Several weekends shifted momentum dramatically. Barcelona carried controversy: Lance Stroll failed to start after a hand injury and George Russell collided with Max Verstappen, drawing a 10-second penalty that some argued affected the championship balance later in the year. In Austria a suspended sign collapsed, a car caught fire on the formation lap and small incidents compounded into a messy race day.

The British Grand Prix was the biggest spectacle of the season with half a million fans across the weekend. It boiled down to a McLaren duel, with Lando victorious at his home race and Nico Hulkenberg celebrating a hugely popular first podium after 239 starts. Those were emotional moments that reminded everyone why this sport connects with such a wide audience.

Controversy, drama and the changing guard

The paddock saw major management moves and on-track confrontations. Christian Horner left the helm at Red Bull midseason, replaced by Laurent Mekies, after which the team continued to operate at a top level. These off-track decisions can ripple through performance and morale, and this season proved that timing matters.

Qualifying in Baku became historic for the wrong reasons: six red flags in one session slowed proceedings and made that weekend one to remember. Meanwhile, rookie standouts and breakout performances kept the grid entertaining. Isack Hadjar’s podium in the Dutch Grand Prix — and his exuberant trophy celebration that ended with a broken trophy — was one of those human stories that fans won’t forget.

The sprint races, strategy swings and a push to the finish

Sprint weekends and strategy calls shaped the championship race. Singapore’s humid, physical conditions required cooling vests and produced a contentious turn one scuffle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Despite the contact, McLaren clinched the Constructors’ Championship there — a defining milestone for the team.

Austin featured sprint chaos and a small off-track spat over taped reference marks used by teams in the pits. These little details matter; they change qualifying lines and confidence in the car. Later, Las Vegas produced one of the season’s most dramatic finishes when both McLaren cars were disqualified because skid block wear exceeded regulations. That ruling swung the points and kept Max Verstappen alive in the title chase.

Final swing and the crowning moment in Abu Dhabi

The penultimate events set up a tense finale. In Qatar, a safety car strategy call left Oscar on track when many expected a pit stop, and Max capitalized to move ahead — a sequence that tightened the standings into the final round.

At Abu Dhabi the requirement was simple for Lando: finish in the top three to clinch his first World Drivers’ Championship. He did exactly that, taking third and sealing the title. It capped a season defined by McLaren’s consistency and growth, with Williams also making notable strides.

Season takeaways and a look ahead

The 2025 championship distilled a few clear lessons. McLaren emerged as the standout team, combining race pace, strategy and reliability. Williams was the big improver and a pleasant surprise for the year. Ferrari had a surprisingly poor campaign with disqualifications and reliability issues, while Alpine struggled badly and finished at the back of the pack.

Driver narratives mattered as much as machinery. Lando Norris converted speed into consistency and ultimately a title. Oscar Piastri delivered notable wins and near-misses, with a few strategy calls impacting his title bid. Max Verstappen closed the season with a run of victories but could not overturn McLaren’s advantage in time.

With regulation changes looming for next year, the field is open again. Teams that solve reliability problems and optimise strategy execution will be well placed. The off-season decisions around management and driver line-ups will be as important as engineering upgrades.

Frequently asked questions

Who won the 2025 World Drivers’ Championship?

Lando Norris clinched the 2025 World Drivers’ Championship, securing the title by finishing third in the final race at Abu Dhabi.

Which team took the Constructors’ Championship?

McLaren won the Constructors’ Championship, their performance highlighted by consistent podiums, race wins, and strategic calls across the season.

What were the most controversial rulings of the season?

Key controversies included multiple disqualifications (notably both Ferraris in China and McLaren at Las Vegas), penalties affecting championship contenders, and management changes at major teams that shifted the paddock dynamic.

Which drivers were breakthrough performers?

Several drivers stood out: Oscar Piastri with multiple wins, Isack Hadjar with a memorable rookie podium, and Carlos Sainz achieving strong results after team changes. Nico Hulkenberg also enjoyed an emotional first podium late in his long career.

How will rule changes affect the upcoming season?

New regulations often reshuffle the competitive order. Teams that adapt quickly in aerodynamics, tyres and reliability will gain an edge. Expect development races and close strategic battles early in the season as teams find optimal setups under the new rules.

Final thoughts

This season combined drama, emotion and fine margins. From wet-weather winners to heartbreaks caused by split-second decisions, 2025 reminded everyone why the sport is addictive: every weekend carried its own story. The next season promises more surprises, and the off-season chess in team structure and engineering will be fascinating to follow.