The 2025 Formula 1 season has officially crossed the finish line, leaving fans with a whirlwind of emotions, unexpected triumphs, and some of the most controversial decisions in recent memory.

As the dust settles on 24 grueling races, the experts at Racing News365 have taken a deep dive into the moments that defined a year of transition, heartbreak, and ultimate glory.

From the shocking decline of a legend at Ferrari to the cutthroat environment of the Red Bull garage, 2025 was a season that defied logic and kept the world on the edge of its seat.

The Ferrari Dream That Turned Into a Nightmare

When Lewis Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari, the sporting world stood still. It was billed as the ultimate union: the most decorated driver in history joining the most iconic team in the sport. The expectation was nothing short of a title charge. However, as  suggests, the reality fell painfully flat. Hamilton finished the season without a single Grand Prix podium, a statistic that would have seemed impossible just twelve months ago.

While there were flashes of brilliance—notably his sprint victory in China—the partnership struggled to find a rhythm. The Ferrari SF-25 often looked like a handful, and as the season progressed, the gap between the Scuderia and the front-runners only seemed to widen. This has sparked intense discussion about Hamilton’s future. With younger talents like Oliver Bearman waiting in the wings, the pressure is on for 2026. If the car doesn’t improve, the sport may have to prepare for the retirement of its greatest icon.

Red Bull’s Brutal Driver Carousel

If there is one thing Red Bull is known for, it is a lack of sentimentality. The 2025 season saw this trait pushed to the extreme. The decision to axe Jack Doohan and the subsequent handling of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda left many analysts scratching their heads. As noted at , the “bonkers” decision to give Lawson only two races in a car he didn’t know, only to reshuffle the deck again, highlighted the volatility of the Red Bull program.

Yuki Tsunoda, once seen as a potential successor to the top seat, ultimately found himself off the grid for 2026. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson’s F1 career was arguably saved by the chaotic timing of these moves, securing him a spot for the next era of regulations. These “brutal” decisions have become a hallmark of the Christian Horner era, proving that in the world of Red Bull, you are only as good as your last two laps.

The Rise of the Underdog: Carlos Sainz’s Glow Up

While Hamilton struggled at Ferrari, the man he replaced found a surprising new lease on life. Carlos Sainz’s move to Williams was initially viewed by many as a step backward. However, Sainz transformed the narrative through sheer performance. After a rocky start where he was outperformed by teammate Alex Albon, Sainz underwent what many are calling the “biggest glow up of 2025” .

By the second half of the season, Sainz and his Williams machinery were “as one.” He secured multiple podiums and consistently outscored his teammate, proving that his race-winning credentials remain intact. As Williams moves toward a future powered by Mercedes, Sainz has positioned himself as a leader capable of pulling a midfield team into the spotlight, making him one of the standout performers of the year.

McLaren’s Fragile Dominance

Lando Norris finally clinched his first Drivers’ Championship, but the path to the title was far from smooth. Despite possessing the most dominant car on the grid—the MCL39—McLaren’s season was defined by strategic errors and the controversial “Papaya Rules.” The team’s insistence on a two-driver policy allowed Max Verstappen to stay in the hunt much longer than he should have .

Verstappen’s ability to “drag a result out of nowhere” kept the pressure on until the final round in Abu Dhabi. Many experts believe that had Verstappen been in the McLaren, the title would have been wrapped up by Mexico City. While Norris eventually secured the crown thanks to a clinical team performance in the season finale, the internal friction between Norris and Oscar Piastri remains a ticking time bomb. If McLaren doesn’t establish a clear hierarchy soon, this partnership may not survive the 2026 regulation shift.

Looking Ahead to the Unknown

As F1 moves into a new era of technical regulations in 2026, the 2025 season serves as a dramatic closing chapter to the current ground-effect cars. We saw a year where the gaps narrowed, rookies found their feet, and veterans questioned their place in the sport. Whether it was the chaos of a wet Silverstone or the masterclass from Verstappen in Brazil, 2025 reminded us why we love this sport: because even when you think you know the outcome, Formula 1 always has one more twist in store.