Annually, Formula 1 consistently provides intense excitement, and the 2025 season certainly upheld this tradition, featuring a championship battle that culminated in the final race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lando Norris eventually triumphed in a three-way contest against his McLaren colleague, Oscar Piastri, and Red Bull’s four-time global champion, Max Verstappen.
However, the action wasn’t confined to the leaders; significant events unfolded across the entire field. Consequently, our writers have compiled their most memorable narratives from the 2025 F1 season.
Nico Hulkenberg achieves the improbable – Jake Boxall-Legge
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
From an emotional highlight perspective, the absolute top moment was Nico Hulkenberg’s completion of his 15-year pursuit to finally achieve an F1 podium finish.
Hulkenberg’s capabilities and aptitude were never in question throughout his career, but it seemed his opportunities had passed him by; chances with Force India went unfulfilled, his tenure at Renault faded as the team slowly edged towards competitiveness, and his F1 journey appeared finished before he was drafted to cover for Racing Point’s drivers sidelined by COVID in 2020.
Even upon Hulkenberg’s return to F1, his stint at Haas never suggested a podium finish was within reach – and given Sauber’s performance in 2024, such a feat seemed even less probable when he rejoined the Swiss team for this season, preceding its transition to Audi.
At a time when it was arguably least anticipated, Hulkenberg’s much-awaited podium appearance materialized like a beacon after the challenging conditions at Silverstone. His critical maneuver was fending off Lewis Hamilton using worn intermediate tires, compelling the world champion to switch to dry tires too early.
However, broadening the scope to all sports, I’d highlight Valentin Vacherot’s victory at the Shanghai Masters. Entering the competition as the world No. 204, Vacherot overcame formidable opponents such as Alexander Bublik, Holger Rune, and Novak Djokovic on his path to a championship clash with his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech. This year, at least one Monegasque competitor claimed a major win…
Max Verstappen executes a remarkable recovery, nearly seizing the F1 championship – Ed Hardy
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Thompson / Getty Images
The two most recent authentic F1 championship contests presented stark contrasts. First, there was the 2021 showdown, a clash between Hamilton, the seasoned veteran, and Verstappen, the rising talent—an utterly epic struggle marked by dramatic moments, intense rivalries, collisions, and two drivers operating at the peak of their abilities, far exceeding their competitors.
Then came the current year. Initially, the contest was between Norris and Piastri, a considerably more subdued rivalry between the McLaren teammates, where one could convincingly argue that neither driver displayed a superior performance level compared to three other contenders—Verstappen, George Russell, and Charles Leclerc—who were performing more effectively.
The battle started off rather uninspiringly, lacking significant excitement, but then the final third of the season saw Verstappen fortunately join the contention. This shift can be attributed to enhancements Red Bull introduced at the 16th round in Monza, which revitalized their season as the four-time world champion successfully narrowed a 104-point gap, remaining a contender for the title up to Abu Dhabi.
Despite a victory in the season’s final race, his sixth in nine, it proved insufficient to secure a fifth championship, as he concluded the season two points behind Norris. Nevertheless, Verstappen’s spirited fightback and his role in transforming the discourse around the title challenge was truly captivating.
It heightened anticipation for everyone, prompted re-evaluation of the championship’s likely trajectory, and the question of ‘could he actually pull this off?’ became a prevalent topic of discussion in workplaces. Ultimately, it wasn’t meant to be, yet Verstappen’s resurgence stands out as my most vivid memory of 2025. Had he clinched the world championship, it would undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most exceptional title-winning campaigns ever.
Colton Herta pursues F1 ambition – Ben Vinel
Colton Herta, Hitech TGR
Photo by: James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
In contemporary motorsport, it’s quite uncommon for Formula 1 competitors to participate in other racing series, and even rarer for established drivers from different categories to forsake their existing careers in pursuit of an F1 dream.
This is precisely why Colton Herta’s choice is so compelling. The second-place finisher in the 2024 IndyCar series could easily have remained in American racing, yet the 25-year-old is risking it all for a Cadillac test driver position and a move to F2 – a challenge that will be particularly demanding given his lack of experience with Pirelli tires. Ritomo Miyata, the 2023 Super GT and Super Formula champion, has attempted a similar transition, with spectacular lack of success so far, recording only one podium finish across his initial two seasons.
Herta has a great deal to forfeit in his quest for an F1 seat in 2027, but he is proceeding nonetheless. It will be captivating to observe his progress – much like that of WRC champion Kalle Rovanpera. The Finnish driver is shifting from rallying to Super Formula for 2026, aiming to reach the pinnacle of single-seater racing; it remains to be seen how far he can advance.
Lando Norris matures into an F1 world champion – Filip Cleeren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
I’ve previously written about this subject, but having first observed Norris at the 2017 Pau Grand Prix – may Euro F3 rest in peace – it has been compelling to witness his development over recent years, particularly in the last two seasons.
How would he react to possessing a championship-contending car, and consequently facing the pressure to secure victories and engage in direct competition with Verstappen?
There were numerous instances of faltering in 2024, and a few more during the initial half of 2025, but these challenges significantly contributed to forging him into a world champion. The most commendable aspect is that he achieved it on his own terms, as he asserts, without adopting the typical ruthlessness or the notion that a world champion must be an unyielding, faultless automaton.
Well done, Lando.
