The F1 summer break provides a crucial opportunity to assess the 2025 season's first half, a period marked by significant shifts in team and driver fortunes. Here’s an analysis of who's winning and losing so far.
Loser: Red Bull
Why it matters: Once dominant, Red Bull has experienced a dramatic fall from grace in 2025, plagued by internal turmoil and a substantial performance gap to its rivals.
The chaos:
- Liam Lawson was quickly promoted and then dropped after just two races.
- Long-time team boss Christian Horner was removed.
- The team has consistently been a clear second-best, often falling further behind McLaren.
Key issues:
- Failure to stabilize its second driver situation.
- Inability to match McLaren's rapid development pace.
Outlook: From leading by a massive margin last year, Red Bull is now fourth in the constructors' standings, trailing McLaren by 365 points – an unacceptable decline for a team of its stature.
Winner: Oscar Piastri
Why it matters: Oscar Piastri has emerged as the front-runner in McLaren's tight internal championship battle, effectively leveraging a strong car and delivering consistent performance.
Key strength:
- Holds a nine-point advantage over Lando Norris.
- Has shown a significantly more rounded and consistent performance this season.
- Displayed devastating bursts of speed when needed.
Outlook: Piastri is currently the safer bet to end McLaren's 17-year wait for a drivers' championship, demonstrating strong potential in a championship-winning car.
Loser: Lewis Hamilton
Why it matters: Lewis Hamilton's first half of 2025 at Ferrari has fallen short of expectations, marked by a significant point deficit compared to last year and a lack of grand prix podium finishes.
The numbers:
- 109 points after 14 rounds, a notable drop from 150 points at the same stage last year.
- Despite a brilliant sprint race victory in China, he is yet to secure a grand prix podium.
The context: While the SF-25 hasn't been a consistent win contender, Hamilton's results are still below par considering his immense talent.
Outlook: A first grand prix podium with Ferrari remains elusive, raising questions about his adaptation and the team's overall competitiveness.
Winner: Sauber
Why it matters: Sauber has dramatically overcome its dire pre-season expectations, transforming into a strong midfield contender and securing unexpected points.
The turnaround:
- Started the season in