redfiona99

2025 was a mixed year for F1. The drivers title was close, the constructors was not. There was some racing, even between the title contenders, but most races weren't close. There were some excellent results (podiums for Hulkenberg, Sainz, Antonelli and Hadjar) and some appalling ones (Ferrari, repeatedly Ferrari).

In my 2025 F1 round up, I thought I'd highlight three triumphs and three utter disasters from the year.

I will begin with the triumphs.



Max Verstappen - His driving this season will gain him more kudos than the driving in at least two of his World Title winning seasons.

Whoever designed that McLaren - Zak Brown has been curiously reluctant to mention Rob Marshall and Neil Houldey when talking about the car so I felt they deserved some praise now that I've found their names. The car won the Constructors title with 6 races (and 3 sprint races) to go. That's good work. And they did it without any flagrant, 'all-our-competitors-have-complained', engineering widgets.

Isack Hadjar - After a deeply unpromising start at the Australian Grand Prix (Did Not Start due to accident on formation lap), he ended up being second best of the rookies, despite being in Red Bull Scuderia B. Red Bull main had better not mess him up next year.

I am also going to give a bonus triumph here, please imagine a laurel wreath with a little heart on it, to Anthony Hamilton for supporting Hadjar when his own team didn't. While maybe basic human decency should be the minimum expected, in a world sadly short of it sometimes, it should be celebrated.

Now to the turnips - the actively bad things about this season:



That Ferrari: I do actually like the noble turnip as a vegetable but I have no better way of describing that car. It is appalling. It is beneath Ferrari as a team and has broken the spirit of two drivers who deserve better.

Helmut Marko: For providing zero meaningful support for drivers for either team whose surname was not Verstappen. Your comments, particularly about Hadjar, were unhelpful.

Alpine in general: The car was horrid, but that isn't why they're here. Gasly mostly learnt to manage the car by the end of the season. Colapinto didn't.

Given that poor Jack Doohan got replaced after 6 races for getting nowhere with the car, I remain confused why Colapinto didn't, unless it was the money from his sponsors and the patronage of Flavio Briatore.

Briatore himself earns the poison turnip - dear F1, I love you. I love you because of your engineers who have never found a rule they didn't try to find a loophole in, your drivers and your unceasing nonsense. Why have you let Briatore back in? He doesn't deserve it.

(All pictures come from OpenClipart-Vectors at Pixabay. The turnip is from here OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay and the laurel wreath is from here OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay)

I'm going to start with a complaint about the Lusail circuit. It's a perfectly fine, and indeed occasionally excellent, MotoGP track. Because the bikes are narrower so you can race. The F1 cars are broad, and the track is so narrow they can't overtake each other even with the DRS button. A piece of technology whose only purpose is to allow overtaking does not work at this track - for goodness sakes, even Monaco, king of the moving traffic jam races, is wide enough for DRS to do its joy-ruining thing.

So there's a race with no overtaking, even with the magic over-taking button, and then they've removed some of the strategy wiggle room and deviousness by mandating two pit stops and twenty-five lap maximum tyre strategies.

I cut Pirelli some slack because they have to make the tyres to the FIA's specifications, but given those specs, why are they racing somewhere that they know kills the tyres?

The start was the last time the race was interesting, and Norris not fighting Verstappen was the sensible thing to do.

I'm not going to say McLaren made the wrong strategy call because, if it had worked out, they would have been geniuses, and it could have worked. The F1 coverage always gives the percentage change of there being a safety car, but not the chance of their being multiple safety cars. However, choosing not to pit was always a bit of an odd choice on a track where track position is king.

There were a few cars that broke at the end, but none of them broke in a way that required a safety car. I did feel most sorry for Gasly, who performed heroics in the qualifying, only for the car to break out from under him at the beginning of the race and then he had to nurse the car round for the rest of it.

Sainz jnr's car deciding to try to break right at the end gave me coniptions. So glad he made it to the end in one piece. I am enjoying telling people "I told you he was good".

Another note - is it me or are more teams screwing up their drivers's 5 second penalties? I swear this was the second time that's happened to Ocon this season!

End note: I am aware I am supposed to be a Ferrari-focussed blogger, but my team depress me (I recognise, with my soul, the noise the "Cleveland Browns" fan makes from 2.26-2.32 in this video - https://youtu.be/SFCPNT7FafI?si=0dVDR_Y6_CAP_xsF).

I wrote this last week, I thought I'd posted it. Obviously not. Apologies for the delay.

Poor Bortoleto, done over by the home driver curse. Twice!!!

Sometimes, I hate being a Ferrari fan - why are my drivers being caught up in other people's chaos?!!! This has done terrible things to our Constructor's championship standing.

I am not blaming Antonelli for the crash, much though commentary wants me to.

McLaren did some weird things with the tyre strategy - I understand Piastri's doubts, and I still don't understand their plan for Norris. I know he won by miles but I just don't understand it. On the other hand, given Red Bull had a much shorter stint on the medium tyres than expected - did that medium tyre just not hold up as well as expected?

Red Bull's performance as a whole was odd. Verstappen seems to be doing well despite the car and the team, certainly his performances this year are more impressive than some of his all-conquering races.

But they really stuffed up Tsunoda's race. Screwing up a 10 second stop go penalty is not something I'd expect Red Bull to do.

Oli, Oli, Oli, oi oi oi. Dear Ferrari, when you call Bearman up, do not ruin this child!

I'm also very impressed with Gasly. Who is definitely doing things despite the team.

The racing at the Grand Prix supports my belief that the US Grand Prix is the best of the US races.

Is it also the only one on a purpose-built track? Yes.

Do I think there's a correlation there? Yes!

The DRS button still kills joy, but hey at least Ferrari came up with a strategy that got one of the cars into the mix to be overtaken by DRS rather than skill.

(Yes, I am bitter)

Leclerc did some excellent defensive driving, and totally deserved driver of the day.

While I understand why the press are focussing on the remarkable gains Verstappen has made in the last couple of races, I'm not sure it's as bad for Piastri as they are painting it. At a circuit that he just did not gel with, he still got 10 points. It's vanishingly unlikely that the rest of the races are going to be that bad for him.

Sadly I missed the live Baku Chaos Bonanza because I was hitting people with swords.

As the BBC radio commentators said, it's an odd race where there's either chaos in qualifying or the race, never both and this was a year where it was all in the qualifying - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/c5yv3y3q8dvo

The race itself was dull, and the only good news was the Sainz jnr podium. But that was very good news.

It's interesting that there was another poor (re)start from Norris. At some point, they're going to have to do something about that. Matters were not helped by him yet again being the victim of a McLaren pitstop going wrong.

The only comment I have about Ferrari is that someone needs to tell them that 3rd in Constructors is not good enough.

Then, of course, there's that titillating possibility that this is the second race in a Verstappen come back. If Verstappen wins the title this year ...

For reasons, I couldn't watch the Grand Prix live, and some how remained unspoiled other than something happened to Norris, something happened to both Ferraris and good things happened for Hadjar. (Same reason is likely to prevent me watching the Italian Grand Prix live.)

Therefore, you will be getting my delayed thoughts as I finally get to listen to it.

Before the start: of course Red Bull are trying something tricksy with tyres.

Lap 1 - Norris's starts have happened again

Lap 9 - We have racing and overtaking!!!! Although I am intrigued by BBC radio saying Norris has more racing ability than Piastri. I want to know what evidence they are basing this on. I know they're the British Broadcasting Corporation but still ....

Lap 12 - I like how Abi Pulling explains why the tyres are affected by the corners

Lap 13 - Happy 19th Kimi (the younger)

Lap 17 - ah, high tech F1, where the team principals still stick their arms out to check how heavy the rain is.

Lap 19 - rain starting, cold temperature, of course Alonso goes onto hards. (I know, that's what he's got to switch to but ...)

Why are they all switching to hards in these conditions?!!!!

Lap 22 - Ah, the great Ferrari driver vs his own strategy team mid-race argument occurs. Truly, my favourite part of the race. (Level of sarcasm, high)

Lap 23 - oh, how I hate being a Ferrari fan!
(The double stack was what I expected McLaren to do from when they asked Norris to get closer. Given the effect of dirty air is that much worse at Zandvoort, it's the only reason you'd want them to get closer).
Once again, the pitstop gremlins have hit Norris.

How are the safety cars always just at the wrong point for Leclerc? Do Ferrari need to perform some sort of arcane ritual to stop this happening?!

Lap 25? - Norris, you're a whinge-pot. Stop whining at your race engineer.

Lap 31 - George, stop being a snitch!

Lap 33 - Because I knew something terrible will happen to Leclerc (but not what and when) I spent most of him vs Russell racing on lap 33 wincing.

Lap 34 - obvs. watching via radio, but if that incident was anything like how the radio described it, why did Sainz jnr get the penalty?

Lap 38 - Again, thanks to Abi Pulling for the explanation of the Alonso outburst.

I believe the sound we're not quite hearing is Alonso muttering "next year I have a Newey car" under his breath.

Roughly lap 47, definitely in the mid-race doldrums - interview with Hamilton where he says that he had no problem with Ferrari's strategy. I mean, bless him for trying to hide that.

Lap 54 - What do you mean it wasn't even Leclerc's own accident?!!! What is it with this race's Mercedes on Ferrari violence?!!

Separately, Norris's rear left exchange goes wrong at the pitstop.

And further Ferrari tyre/strategy complaints from the drivers. Which given that he's already out ... what is that supposed to achieve Charles?

Lap 55 - Unexpected potential points for Sauber!

Lap 56 - Further evidence for my theory that that second Red Bull is cursed.

Lap 60 - It never rains but it pours for Antonelli. On the other hand, if you hire rookies, you have to expect and tolerate a certain amount of mistakes. (Looking at you Alpine, looking at you so hard)

Lap 66 - Engine failure. An engine failure got Norris!!!! When was the last time a McLaren had an engine go boom?! (Updated - oil leak, my apologies to the engine)

Lap 67 - Interesting stat, Hadjar would be the first French driver to get a podium since Grosjean!

Lap 72 - Bearman! In the points!! In sixth!!!

And Ocon! Double points for Haas!!

Post race comments:
Ferrari:
Given I was expecting it to have been Ferrari happening to themselves, I was actually alright with there being two accidents.

Leclerc was being either really nice about the incident, or Ferrari have finally broken him.

Hadjar:

Is the reason I like Hadjar at least 3/4 because he has equations on his helmet.



Given how terribly badly parts of Red Bull main treated him after the Australian Grand Prix, they can keep their hands off him now. Definitely until that second car is exorcised.

I can see why some people hate the rolling starts but Belgium, even more than many other circuits, is not somewhere where we want to risk people's safety. Andrew Benson's explanation on BBC radio was excellent.

The rain break also led to some excellent BBC radio waffle.

I liked FIA's way of avoiding the race finishing with a time out by saying it hadn't started properly.

Tsunoda not having Max's upgrades may suddenly explain his results, and the results of every number 2 driver in the Red Bull team.

I was right to suspect the Red Bull garage worked like this:



I do wonder if Piastri rewatched the video of Verstappen's overtake of him in the sprint race to figure out how to get past Norris, depending of course whether Norris had battery issues or not, and being on the wetter side of the grid.

No Harry Benjamin, the McLarens just being better is why they had such a lead over Ferrari and Red Bull.

As these are supposed to be Ferrari-centric write-ups, I ought to say something about them, especially as one driver got a podium, and the other got driver of the day. It was an excellent defensive performance from Leclerc and an excellent aggressive drive from Hamilton. Could we maybe get them a decent car?!

The most important thing first - there was actual racing! Up and down the grid. Actual racing!!!

That was a good race.

I feel so sorry for Williams. I have no idea what's causing everything to suddenly go wrong for them, but it's depressing. And slightly alarming when a car's brakes set on fire. I would suggest they borrow the exorcist Red Bull ought to hire for that second car. At this point, the reason for the poor performance of that second car being a curse makes as much sense as anything else, because both Tsunoda's performance when he was in the RB and Lawson's now he's in it, suggest that it isn't the driver (see also Albon in the Williams when it is not misbehaving).

On the happier side, well done Sauber! Hulkenbooooom happened again - 20th to 9th. Of course, it fits with the rest of his career that an 11 place rise up the grid doesn't get him driver of the day. But I can't be annoyed, because Bortoleto got his first ever points and F1 fans are as sentimental as the next group.

Ferrari!!! Have pace!!!

Repeat after me for the umpteenth time - I will not be optimistic about Ferrari's performance based on a single race.
I will not be optimistic about Ferrari's performance based on a single race.

(Now if only they could sort out the Hamilton and Leclerc to strategy team communication, because hilarious though it is to hear the drivers having mid-race strategy arguments, I don't think it's efficient.)

In the commentary, I managed to listen to this on BBC radio and then watch the Channel 4 highlights. Channel 4, occasionally home to Mark Webber in the comms box are mysteriously totally in Piastri's corner. Like serious, I'm wondering if they got a memo saying they ought not to make it obvious that as a British broadcaster they were going to cheer for the Brit and have gone too far the other way.

BBC meanwhile are trying to get rid of Tsunoda which makes me both sad and angry. You won't like me when I'm angry BBC comms team.

One thing I will give Channel 4 credit for - bonus Eric Bana who was being lovely and fannishly enthusiastic.

I do wish they'd put up the interview they had with Jonathan Wheatley afterwards. He's so lovely.

Normally the only interesting thing about the Barcelona circuit is any upgrades to the cars. But, was it me, or was that actually an interesting race, or do I just have low expectations for the Barcelona track?

Upgrades
The upgrades themselves seem to have done nothing, McLaren are still miles ahead of the other cars, which suggest the wing flapping is not the only thing making them go faster.

Qualifying

Leclerc's race proved that you get no points for qualifying.

I, alongside most other people, wondered why the (blank) he just sat back and didn't do another lap in Q3.

I underestimated him and the Ferrari strategy team.

I think I'm being nice about the Ferrari strategy team. It feels both good and unexpected.

Mercedes:

That's two races in a row where a Mercedes engine has gone kaboom. Not good times.

Haas:

That was definitely a lurking Valtteri Bottas at Haas. I'm wondering if it's to coach Bearman or as a potential replacement for one of the drivers.

Hülkenboom

How good was Hülkenberg? 15th to 5th in a Sauber and denied 'Driver of the Day' only by the Max fan army, who are, if nothing else, fanatical about their guy.

I am just so happy for Hülkenberg.

I am hoping Audi will be good next season and then he might finally get his race podium. If he wins a race, I will be unspeakable for at least a week.

Verstappen lunacy

Running into Russell, even if he was angry because his own mistake lead to Leclerc overtaking him, was a truly idiotic move. Idiotic, and somehow more idiotic than Red Bull's tyre strategy.

When someone missing the race because they punched something in their garage (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/c14kmj8rd87o) is not the most idiotic rage-induced incident during a race weekend, you know you've screwed up.

I understand Verstappen's frustration with Red Bull's tyre strategy. It was most inexplicable, and Red Bull are normally good at strategy. It's such a fall off in strategy terms that I'm wondering if someone has left from their strategy team?



There's something rotten in the state of Red Bull anyway, judging by that second car. I can believe one driver is that much better than the other but not that Verstappen is that much better than Ricciardo, Perez and Tsunoda.

The title race is really hotting up (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Miami_Grand_Prix)

Shame Ferrari are nowhere near the pointy end for either championship. Instead, the drivers are busy taking potshots at each other and the team - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/ce8g5xlmxjgo

Boys, you get to do this when you're winning, not when you're languishing in 4th in the Constructors.