Charles Leclerc’s driver ranking in the latest F1 team principal poll has left fans surprised and vocal online, as the Ferrari driver landed in seventh place on the list for the 2025 season, despite a strong championship finish. The Charles Leclerc driver ranking is stirring debate, especially after Max Verstappen was named the top driver, with many questioning the reasoning behind Leclerc’s noticeably low placement.
Team Principal Votes Place Verstappen on Top, Leclerc Drops to Seventh
As the F1 season wraps up, team principals have once again voted Max Verstappen as the leading driver for 2025, even though Verstappen narrowly missed out on the drivers’ championship title. McLaren’s Lando Norris came in close behind Verstappen, securing the second spot, followed by Oscar Piastri in third, confirming their status as leading championship contenders.
Behind these three, George Russell placed fourth, with the Spanish pair Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz in fifth and sixth. The surprising twist came with Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver who ended the season fifth in the championship, but slipped to seventh in the team principal ranking. This placement has ignited a wave of reaction across social media, especially among Leclerc’s supporters.
Fan Reactions Highlight Frustration and Accusations of Bias
The unexpected outcome regarding Charles Leclerc’s driver ranking has been met with vocal reactions from F1 fans. Many questioned why Leclerc was rated so low compared to rivals, and some used humor to criticize both the rankings and the team principals.
“Why is Charles so low?,” questioned one fan. – Fan
“Leclerc demolished Hamilton & he’s P7. Team Principals really don’t rate Hamilton,”
joked another user. – User
“What is Leclerc doing behind everyone but Verstappen,”
questioned yet another fan. – Fan
Additional comments targeted other drivers and the voting process as a whole, with fans questioning not just Leclerc’s position but also the inclusion or exclusion of other competitors.
“What has Alonso done actually? Let’s be Honest,”
said one user. – User
“Sainz P6 and Albon not included is actually ragebait clearly even team principals are not free from recency bias,”
noted another fan. – Fan
“Both Red Bull teams voted Max didn’t they lol,”
said another user. – User
Verstappen’s Late-Season Surge Impresses Team Principals
Max Verstappen’s season was marked by a dramatic turnaround. After falling behind at the halfway point and trailing the McLaren drivers, Verstappen managed to win the most races and secure the most pole positions of the season. Despite missing out on the title by just two points, the Dutchman’s performance earned him strong approval from the team principals, as reflected in the driver ranking.
Verstappen Reflects on Unexpected Support from Fans
Reflecting on the support he received during the 2025 battle for the championship, Max Verstappen expressed surprise at fans backing him as he challenged the McLaren drivers. He identified his underdog status as a key reason for the support, sharing his thoughts in a podcast interview.
“(It was) Surprising. Naturally, of course, with an underdog role, people will start to support you a bit more.”
– Max Verstappen, World Champion
“But I guess maybe they finally start to realise who I am, who I really am,”
he added. – Max Verstappen, World Champion
Verstappen also explained that his approach has remained genuine throughout the season, denying any major change in personality, and crediting those around him for keeping him grounded.
Fans and Paddock Await Next Chapter After Controversial Rankings
The aftermath of the Charles Leclerc driver ranking controversy continues to fuel debate among Formula 1 fans and experts. The reactions underscore the emotional investment many have in their favorite drivers and show how perceptions can vary significantly between fans and those within the F1 paddock. As the teams prepare for the next season, all eyes will remain on how rankings, performance, and public sentiment intersect on and off the track.
🚨 | BREAKING: Team principals have voted on the top 10 drivers of 2025:
P1) Verstappen
P2) Norris
P3) Piastri
P4) Russell
P5) Alonso
P6) Sainz
P7) Leclerc
P8) Bearman
P9) Hadjar
P10) Hülkenberg— formularacers (@formularacers_) December 29, 2025
