F1 2025 Mid-Season Review: Winners, Losers, and Surprises
The 2025 Formula 1 season has reached its halfway mark, and what a rollercoaster it has been. From dramatic team shake-ups to unexpected driver performances, the grid has delivered plenty of talking points. Here’s a comprehensive look at the winners, losers, and surprises of the F1 2025 season so far.
Red Bull in Transition: A Reigning Champion Under Pressure
Red Bull Racing entered 2025 as the team to beat, but internal turmoil has shaken its dominance. Christian Horner’s departure early in the season created leadership uncertainty. Despite this, Max Verstappen has shown flashes of brilliance, holding onto key victories. However, reliability issues and strategic blunders have cost them valuable points.
Sergio Perez, now in a contract year, has struggled to match Verstappen’s pace. With their rivals closing the gap, Red Bull’s second half of the season could define their legacy in the turbo-hybrid era.
McLaren and Ferrari: The True Winners So Far
McLaren has emerged as a serious championship contender in 2025. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have taken the fight to Red Bull with consistent podiums and back-to-back wins. The car’s improved aerodynamic efficiency and power unit reliability have been key factors.
Ferrari, under Frederic Vasseur’s leadership, has also delivered a much-improved package. Charles Leclerc broke a long winless streak in Monaco, and Carlos Sainz has matched his teammate stride for stride. If they can maintain momentum, Ferrari might finally end their championship drought.
Mercedes: Struggling to Regain Glory
Mercedes entered 2025 with high hopes of returning to title contention. Unfortunately, they remain stuck in the midfield. George Russell has outperformed Lewis Hamilton in qualifying, but both drivers have struggled with tire degradation and straight-line speed deficits.
Toto Wolff’s squad is working on a significant mid-season upgrade package, but unless it delivers, the once-dominant team may face its third consecutive winless year.
Aston Martin and Alpine: Surprises of the Season
Aston Martin started the season strongly with Fernando Alonso securing surprise podiums. However, a lack of development has seen them slip behind McLaren and Ferrari. Lance Stroll’s inconsistent results have further hampered their constructors’ ambitions.
Alpine has surprised everyone with a much-improved car, thanks to major investments in aerodynamics and powertrain. Pierre Gasly scored a shock win in Canada, marking Alpine’s first victory since 2021.
Rookie Watch: Oliver Bearman and Theo Pourchaire Impress
The 2025 rookie class has injected fresh energy into the grid. Haas’s Oliver Bearman has outperformed expectations, regularly scoring points and even securing a P6 in Austria. Sauber’s Theo Pourchaire has also impressed with his calm, calculated drives despite Sauber’s struggles with car performance.
The Road Ahead: Key Races to Watch
As F1 heads into the second half of the season, key races like Spa, Monza, and Suzuka will be critical for the title fight. The looming 2026 regulation changes have already influenced development strategies, but the current championship battle remains wide open.
Conclusion
The 2025 season of F1 Streams has delivered an unpredictable first half. With McLaren and Ferrari challenging Red Bull’s supremacy, and midfield teams like Alpine making strides, fans can expect more drama and excitement in the races to come.
Whether Verstappen can hold onto his crown or a new champion will emerge is the question on every fan’s mind. One thing is certain: the second half of 2025 promises to be unmissable.
