Max Verstappen Tops F1 Power Rankings for 2025 Season

An independent panel of experts has named Max Verstappen as the top-performing driver of the 2025 Formula 1 season, even though the world championship title was secured by Lando Norris. The 'F1 Power Ranking' is based on average scores awarded after each Grand Prix, evaluating performance across the entire 24-race campaign, and Verstappen's relentless consistency, particularly in the second half of the year, earned him the top spot.

Why it matters:

This ranking highlights the distinction between championship points—which reward results within a specific regulatory and competitive framework—and pure driving performance assessed across all conditions. It underscores Verstappen's ability to extract maximum performance from his car, even during a season where his Red Bull was not the outright fastest package, reaffirming his status as one of the grid's most complete competitors.

The details:

• A five-member jury awarded points after every race based on weekend performance, with the final table calculated from the season-long average.
• Verstappen's campaign was marked by a strong recovery; after a sluggish start with an uncompetitive Red Bull, he finished with ten consecutive podiums post-summer break, including six victories.
• His commanding win from pole position in the Abu Dhabi finale earned him a near-perfect single-race score of 9.6.
• Champion Lando Norris, who clinched the title with a third-place finish in Abu Dhabi, received a score of 8.6 for that race and finished second in the overall power rankings.

The big picture:

The result reinforces a narrative of Verstappen's relentless excellence, even in a season where the championship destiny was ultimately decided by car performance and reliability. It serves as a powerful reminder that winning the title and being voted the best performer are separate accolades, with the latter often rewarding consistency, racecraft, and the ability to overcome adversity throughout the year.