As usual at the end of the year formula 1 is responsible for disseminating the choice of team leaders the best drivers of the season and this year there were some surprises, both due to some increases in the final positions and the peculiarity of a noticeable absence from the top 10.
The rankings were published on the category’s official website and are based on the same points system as the Grand Prix, where the winner of the race receives 25 points and the tenth place one.
They took part in this election Andrea Stella (McLaren), Toto Wolff (Mercedes), James Vowles (Williams), Ayao Komatsu (Haas), Alan Permane (Racing Bulls), Jonathan Wheatley (Clean), Steve Nielsen (Alpine) and the Aston Martin leadership team. As the statement said, they did not submit their votes Red Bull neither Ferrari. Each director created their own ranking, taking into account an internal and technical assessment, and the sum of the points awarded defined the list.
As in 2024, the top two places in the rankings did not change as the Dutchman remained at the top of the podium. Max Verstappenalthough he failed to win in 2025 and had won consecutive crowns between 2021 and 2024. The Red Bull driver claimed six victories in the last nine Grands Prix of the year and was able to reach the final race with a chance of a new crown, but lost by two points Lando Norris (423 to 421), who was voted the second best driver of the year.
Third place went Oscar Piastriwho had a great start to the season and was the top candidate to win the Drivers’ Championship midway through the season, but he couldn’t maintain the pace. Appears fourth on this list George Russell, After a regular season with two wins and seven podiums with Mercedes, he was able to improve two positions compared to the previous year.
The biggest increase on the list was for the Spanish Fernando Alonsowho moved from ninth to fifth place, to reflect on the fact that he did not have a stellar season aboard the Aston Martin, which had many problems in 2025.
Sixth place went to the other Spaniard, Carlos Sainzwhich had a second half of the championship that allowed him to achieve two podiums with Williams. The one who lost some positions was Charles Leclerc, who dropped to seventh level after failing to control his Ferrari.
One of the biggest surprises was placing among the top 10 pilots Lewis Hamilton doesn’t show upwho, like Leclerc, had a very difficult year with the “Prancing Horse” team, and it is the first time in his career that after 17 seasons (2008-2025) he is not among the best. Likewise, it was surprising that the directors tended to give privileged spots to two rookies like this Oliver Bearmanfrom Haas, and Isaac Hajarfrom Racing Bulls, who will be Verstappen’s teammate in the main team this year.
The British driver from Haas was recognized as the most outstanding Formula 1 newcomer and best-placed debutant and took eighth place. While Hadjar completed a good debut year and finished ninth.
Tenth place went Nico Hulkenbergwho fell two places compared to the previous year, but completed the top ten places on the list after finishing on the podium for the first time in his career (at the Silverstone Grand Prix).
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