As the Drivers Head into Their Summer Break, We Take a Closer Look at the Standings and the Players Who Will Shape the Championship

The 2025 Formula One season has been a rollercoaster ride of surprises and unfulfilled expectations. As the drivers head into their summer break, the championship is far from decided, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris locked in a thrilling title race. But who are the contenders, and who are the ones struggling to keep pace?

At the top of the class is Oscar Piastri, who has been consistently quick and calm in the best car on the grid. With six wins and only twice failing to reach the podium, Piastri has cemented his position as a formidable opponent. His execution and attitude have drawn comparisons to the legendary Alain Prost, and he is shaping up to be a similarly formidable opponent. Piastri’s consistency has been impressive, with a string of top-five finishes and a knack for capitalizing on his teammate’s mistakes.

Piastri’s teammate, Lando Norris, has been hot on his heels, with two impressive wins and a string of top-five finishes. However, Norris’s title ambitions have been hampered by errors, including a crash in qualifying in Saudi Arabia and a safety car infringement at Silverstone. Despite this, Norris has shown his determination and resilience, adapting to the car’s limitations and pushing his team to find solutions. His forthright and honest approach has earned him respect from his peers, and he remains a strong contender for the title.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, has acknowledged that the title is beyond him this year. Despite bringing an end to the turbulence of the past two years, Verstappen has struggled with the form of the car, and the team’s focus is now on adapting to the new regulations for next season. Red Bull’s new team principal, Laurent Mekies, will be under pressure to deliver, and the internal politicking at the team could be fascinating – and brutal. Verstappen’s future at the team remains uncertain, with the world champion stating that he will be with Red Bull next year, but not committing to see out his contract.

In the midfield, there are signs of promise from the new intake of drivers. Gabriel Bortoleto, the 20-year-old Brazilian rookie, has been impressive in his debut season, taking his first points in Austria and challenging Fernando Alonso for seventh place. Bortoleto’s performance has been all the more impressive given the car’s relative competitiveness, and he has shown a keen sense of pace and strategy. Isack Hadjar, another rookie, has been a standout for Racing Bulls, adapting quickly to F1 with consistent and confident performances. His ability to push his teammate, Liam Lawson, has been impressive, and he remains a strong contender for the midfield.

And then there’s Kimi Antonelli, the young driver from Mercedes, who has demonstrated his potential, despite being inconsistent in a car that George Russell muscled to a win in Canada. Antonelli’s raw speed and aggression have made him a fan favorite, and he remains a strong contender for the midfield.

But not all drivers are heading into the summer break with a spring in their step. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, has struggled with adapting to his new team, Ferrari, and has appeared to cast doubt on his future in F1. A step back after a grueling opening with a new team is clearly required, and Hamilton has accepted that the process to adapt will take time. But frustration in Hungary suggests he could be disillusioned, despite his belief that Ferrari have everything needed to return to the top. Hamilton’s touch is still there, as he proved in Silverstone and Spa, but he, perhaps like no other driver, could benefit from a reset over the summer break.

As the drivers head into their summer break, the championship is far from decided. Will Piastri and Norris continue to dominate, or will Verstappen’s team finally find the form to challenge them? Will Hamilton return to his best, or will he take a longer break from the sport? One thing is certain – the 2025 Formula One season has been a thrilling ride, and the second half promises to be just as exciting.