In what has become one of the most anticipated post-season traditions, the ten Formula 1 team principals have cast their votes to determine the Top 10 Drivers of 2025. This anonymous poll provides a unique “insider” perspective, showing who the paddock bosses truly value after a year of high-stakes racing.
Despite losing the World Championship by just two points, Max Verstappen has once again been voted the #1 driver by the bosses, proving that his incredible second-half recovery didn’t go unnoticed by the people who matter most.
| Rank | Driver | Change from 2024 | Key Highlight |
| 1 | Max Verstappen | — | 8 wins and a massive title comeback. |
| 2 | Lando Norris | ⬆️ | World Champion and McLaren’s leader. |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | ⬆️ | Two-time winner and major title threat. |
| 4 | George Russell | ⬆️ | Mercedes’ standout with 2 wins. |
| 5 | Fernando Alonso | ⬆️ | Defied age with consistent Top 5s. |
| 6 | Carlos Sainz | ⬆️ | Strong final year with Ferrari. |
| 7 | Charles Leclerc | ⬇️ | Out-qualified everyone but lacked luck. |
| 8 | Oliver Bearman | NEW | Standout rookie performance for Haas. |
| 9 | Isack Hadjar | NEW | Impressed enough to earn a 2026 Red Bull seat. |
| 10 | Nico Hülkenberg | ⬆️ | Finally secured his maiden podium. |
The Big Talking Points
1. Verstappen Remains the “Gold Standard”
Even though Lando Norris took the crown, the team bosses still rank Verstappen as the individual benchmark. His ability to drag the Red Bull to victory even when it wasn’t the fastest car on the grid remains the gold standard for team leadership.
2. The Leclerc Mystery
One of the biggest surprises of the list is Charles Leclerc finishing 7th. Despite out-qualifying his teammate Carlos Sainz and taking several brilliant podiums, the bosses seem to have penalized him for Ferrari’s mid-season strategy blunders or perhaps his lack of a Sunday victory compared to the McLaren and Mercedes drivers.
3. The Rookie Revolution
The 2025 grid was revitalized by youth, and it shows in the rankings. Oliver Bearman made an immediate impact, cracking the Top 10 in his first full season. Even more impressive is Isack Hadjar, who secured P9 despite being a rookie—a clear sign of why Red Bull has promoted him to the main team for 2026.
4. Veteran Respect
Fernando Alonso moved up the rankings this year. While some pundits focused on the “New Era,” the team principals clearly value the 44-year-old’s “race-craft” and consistency. Similarly, Nico Hülkenberg finally received the recognition he deserved after his emotional podium at Silverstone.
Final Verdict
The team bosses’ list confirms that 2025 was a year of “The Big Three” teams (McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes) battling it out, but it also signals a changing of the guard. With Lewis Hamilton missing from the Top 10 for the first time in over a decade, the 2026 season is truly wide open for the next generation.
F1 Stats Last Updated: March 29, 2026 | All statistics, lap times, and driver comparisons on this page reflect the most current data available from the official F1 sources. And updated till the last race which happened in 29th March 2026