Formula 1 is facing a notable crisis in excitement during the 2025 season, with the sport’s tension and unpredictability thinning dramatically. Without Max Verstappen pushing the limits, races have grown calmer and, many argue, increasingly dull. George Russell’s potential as a rising star adds intrigue, but Max Verstappen’s dominance remains the sport’s key source of drama and energy.
Once vibrant seasons like 2021, marked by intense rivalry between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, now feel like distant memories. The two battled wheel-to-wheel with neither yielding, creating a gripping championship fight. Today, the competition looks markedly less fierce, signaling trouble for the sport’s engagement.
Midfield Contenders Lack the Spark to Challenge
The current pairing of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, both highly capable drivers, illustrate this lull in excitement with their steady but uninspiring performances. While Piastri, the Australian driver, appears poised for success barring unforeseen setbacks, their races lack the intensity and risk-taking that fans crave. This cautious approach leaves a void where thrilling duels should exist.
The sport’s top two drivers, who are now teammates, recently crashed with surprisingly little fallout—Lando Norris simply apologizing post-collision and the incident barely stirring the fanbase or media. This indifferent reaction to what should be a headline moment highlights the growing apathy surrounding the racing itself.
Comparing Motorsport Drama to Other Sports Shows the Gap
Drawing a parallel to football underscores F1’s current challenge: moments of rivalry and controversy in football spark nationwide conversations and rivalries that reverberate for days. For instance, a hypothetical late-game scuffle between Arsenal teammates Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard during a penalty would dominate pub debates and social chatter across England. The lack of similar passion and uproar following Norris and Piastri’s crash points to a deficiency in drama within F1.
Max Verstappen’s Role as the Sport’s Driving Force
Amid this growing listlessness, Max Verstappen remains the sport’s defining force, injecting unpredictability and excitement into races. Though some view him as a controversial figure—one author even calling him a “bully” in racing contexts while acknowledging his immense talent and respectful demeanor off the track—his presence keeps Formula 1 compelling.
Verstappen’s ability to create chaos often saves events from monotony. Notably, after a disappointing Monaco Grand Prix and a typically dull Spanish Grand Prix, it was his late-race antics that reenergized fans. Spectacle and conflict are their own form of entertainment, and Verstappen delivers both consistently.
It is clear that despite the rising skill of drivers like Russell, the absence of Verstappen would leave Formula 1 lacking its signature excitement, reducing the sport to watchable but uninspiring contests between teammates simply measuring car performance.
George Russell: A Champion in Waiting Amidst the Dominance
George Russell’s growing reputation as an imminent champion offers a promising counterpoint to Verstappen’s overwhelming grip on the sport. His skill and potential promise future seasons of more competitive racing. However, the broader culture of F1 fandom today is sharply divided, with heated debates over past championships and driver merit splitting followers into entrenched groups.
This polarization fuels complex narratives but also prevents a unified appreciation for emerging talents like Russell. While Verstappen’s dominance is often criticized, it is undeniable that his competitive edge forces others to elevate their performance and maintains the sport’s relevance.
The Future of F1 Hinges on Renewed Rivalries and Drama
The recent pattern of FIA penalizing minor infractions suggests that effort is underway to foster closer competition and more compelling battles. To sustain fan interest and grow the sport, the regulations must enable fresh rivalries and real tension rather than sterile, predictable racing.
If these efforts succeed, George Russell’s potential could be fully realized, challenging Verstappen’s supremacy and reviving Formula 1’s allure. Until then, Max Verstappen remains the essential, if divisive, figure keeping the sport from slipping into dullness.
“The top two in the drivers’ standings, who are team-mates I might add, just crashed into one another and the whole world shrugged. Lando got out of the car, said he was sorry and that was that.”
—Author
“So the fact that Norris and Piastri’s crash was much of a muchness is damning.”
—Author
“F1 in 2025 without Max Verstappen would not be worth watching. Love him or hate him, the marmite Red Bull star is keeping the sport alive.”
—Author
“I just hope it becomes more interesting before he walks away.”
—Author
