F1 2025 Qualifying Head-to-Head: Mexico GP Edition

Motorsport.com's latest qualifying head-to-head analysis after the Mexico Grand Prix reveals the internal team battles shaping up in the 2025 F1 season. This data focuses purely on qualifying performance, excluding grid penalties to provide a clear picture of direct teammate comparisons.

Why it matters:

• Internal Rivalries: Teammate qualifying battles are a crucial indicator of a driver's raw speed and adaptability against a known benchmark. Dominance in qualifying often translates to better race positions and internal team standing.
• Team Dynamics: The performance gap between teammates can influence team strategy, development focus, and even future driver lineups. Close battles can push both drivers, while significant disparities might lead to questions about one's performance.
• Performance Benchmarking: For teams like Red Bull and McLaren, consistent outperformance by one driver highlights their pace advantage, while for teams further down the grid, it shows who's maximizing the car's potential.

The Details:

• McLaren: Lando Norris currently leads Oscar Piastri 13-11 (10-10 excluding sprints). Norris consistently demonstrates strong one-lap pace, particularly evident in Mexico where he outqualified Piastri by a significant margin for P1.
• Ferrari: Charles Leclerc holds a commanding lead over Lewis Hamilton, 17-7 (15-5 without sprints). Leclerc's consistent performance, including a P2 finish in Mexico, showcases his strong qualifying form.
• Red Bull: Max Verstappen maintains an overwhelming lead against his teammates. Against Liam Lawson, he is 3-0 (2-0 without sprints), and against Yuki Tsunoda, he leads 21-0 (18-0 without sprints). Verstappen's undisputed qualifying supremacy is a cornerstone of Red Bull's success.
• Mercedes: George Russell leads Andrea Kimi Antonelli 21-3 (18-2 without sprints). Russell's experience and consistent top-tier performance are clear, though Antonelli did secure a P1 in the Miami sprint, showing flashes of potential.
• Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso heavily dominates Lance Stroll with a 23-1 (20-0 without sprints) record. This significant gap underscores Alonso's enduring speed and Stroll's struggles in qualifying this season.
• Alpine: Pierre Gasly has a strong lead over his two teammates. Against Jack Doohan, he leads 6-2 (5-1 without sprints), and against Franco Colapinto, he leads 11-5 (9-5 without sprints).
• Haas: Oliver Bearman leads Esteban Ocon 14-10 (12-8 without sprints), indicating a shift in performance dynamics at Haas. Bearman's P10 in Mexico qualifying highlights his potential.
• Racing Bulls: Isack Hadjar leads Yuki Tsunoda 2-1 (1-1 without sprints) and Liam Lawson 16-5 (13-5 without sprints). Lawson also shows strong pace, notably a P3 in Azerbaijan.
• Williams: Carlos Sainz leads Alexander Albon 13-10 (11-8 without sprints). Sainz's arrival at Williams appears to be giving them a boost in qualifying performance.
• Sauber: Gabriel Bortoleto leads Nico Hulkenberg 13-11 (11-9 without sprints), demonstrating Bortoleto's strong qualifying prowess.

The Big Picture:

This season's qualifying battles reveal several clear trends. Max Verstappen's untouchable form at Red Bull continues to be a defining factor. McLaren's internal battle remains tight, pushing both Norris and Piastri. Leclerc's consistent edge over Hamilton at Ferrari sets a strong tone for the Scuderia. Aston Martin's clear disparity highlights Alonso's veteran skill, while Mercedes sees Russell firmly in control. The mid-field teams, particularly Haas and Racing Bulls, show promising individual performances from their emerging talents.

What's next:

With the season progressing, these qualifying head-to-head statistics will continue to evolve, offering insights into driver form and team development. These internal battles are crucial for teams strategizing for the upcoming races and making decisions for future seasons. The pressure to consistently outperform a teammate will intensify as championship points and team standings become more critical.