The Formula 1 team bosses have voted Max Verstappen Driver of the Season 2025 for the fifth time in a row – Lewis Hamilton misses out on a place in the top 10 ranking
The current Formula 1 team bosses have once again voted to select their personal top driver of the 2025 season. Unlike in the Drivers’ Championship, however, the victory does not go to McLaren driver and world champion Lando Norris, but to Max Verstappen for the fifth time in a row.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, Williams team principal James Vowles, Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane, and Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu took part in the annual vote, as did Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley, Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen, and the Aston Martin management.
At the end of the season, each team principal compiles their personal top 10 ranking of all drivers. The points awarded are then added up to determine the final overall ranking. As in the past four years, Max Verstappen secured first place again despite failing to defend his title.
The Dutchman got off to a slow start to the season, but made an impressive comeback in the second half and almost defended his world championship title from the previous year. In the end, Verstappen was just two points behind the new world champion Lando Norris, who took second place in the ranking.
Teammate Oscar Piastri was rated third best driver by the team bosses, ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell and veteran Fernando Alonso in fifth place. Sauber driver Nico Hülkenberg just made it into the list as the tenth best driver.
Lewis Hamilton, who had a disappointing season after his move to Ferrari, missed out on the top 10, as did Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli. Despite his slump in form at the halfway point, the 19-year-old Italian still had a strong debut season with a total of three podium finishes.
Haas driver Oliver Bearman finished eighth as the best rookie, closely followed by Isack Hadjar. The Racing Bulls driver, who will be Max Verstappen’s new teammate at Red Bull this season, scored his first podium finish with third place at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Top 10 drivers according to Formula 1 team bosses in 2025
1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2. Lando Norris, McLaren
3. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
4. George Russell, Mercedes
5. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
6. Carlos Sainz, Williams
7. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
8. Oliver Bearman, Haas
9. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
10. Nico Hülkenberg, Sauber
