Max Verstappen tops F1 rankings yet again after team principals compiled their annual list, while Lewis Hamilton was left out of the Top 10 following his challenging debut season at Ferrari. The results, determined by the votes of several top team chiefs, reflect the standout performances and shifting fortunes across the current grid.
Team Principals Select Their Top Drivers
Each year, Formula 1 calls on its team principals to submit their rankings of the top 10 drivers across the grid. For the latest round, senior figures like Andrea Stella from McLaren, Toto Wolff of Mercedes, Williams’s James Vowles, Racing Bulls’ Alan Permane, Haas’s Ayao Komatsu, Sauber’s Jonathan Wheatley, Alpine’s Steve Nielsen, and leadership teams from Aston Martin contributed their evaluations.
The process involves each team chief selecting their choices, with points assigned based on position, then combined into a final ranking. This method has become a tradition at the end of each season, offering an internal perspective on which drivers impressed those closest to the racing action.
Verstappen Holds Onto the Top Spot as Norris Takes Second
For a fifth straight year, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing finished at the head of the list, with Lando Norris from McLaren closely following in second. The 2025 season witnessed a tense rivalry between Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri in its early stages, with McLaren looking strong as the season unfolded. After a summer break, Norris delivered a notable comeback, displaying greater consistency compared to Piastri.
However, Verstappen mounted a late surge as the season progressed, narrowing the point gap with a string of strong showings.
Championship Battle Decided in Abu Dhabi
The title race intensified and was ultimately settled at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen secured victory in the decisive race, but Norris’s third-place finish kept him narrowly ahead in points. When the season ended, Norris was crowned champion by just two points, Verstappen was a close runner-up, and Piastri completed the top three in the standings. This close finish and changing dynamics caught the attention of team bosses and informed their rankings.
Full List of 2025 Top 10 Drivers Chosen by Team Bosses
The final ranking from the team bosses recognized an array of impressive performances beyond the title contenders. The complete list was as follows:
1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2. Lando Norris, McLaren
3. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
4. George Russell, Mercedes
5. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
6. Carlos Sainz, Williams
7. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
8. Oliver Bearman, Haas
9. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Hamilton Omitted After Challenging Ferrari Start
Notably, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, did not feature in this year’s Top 10. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been tough, as he continues to find his rhythm with the Italian team. The transition to racing for Maranello has proved demanding, and his absence from the rankings marks a significant shift considering his decorated career.
This development highlights a changing landscape in Formula 1, with younger drivers and new combinations rising to the fore as the sport heads into another competitive season.
