2025 F1 São Paulo Grand Prix: Driver Ratings

Lando Norris delivered a second consecutive 10/10 performance at the 2025 F1 São Paulo Grand Prix, further solidifying his championship aspirations. Meanwhile, young Kimi Antonelli impressed with a near-perfect weekend, channeling his hero Ayrton Senna at Interlagos.

Why it matters:

Norris's dominant form at a critical juncture of the season highlights his growing maturity and McLaren's consistent competitiveness, positioning him as a serious title contender. For Antonelli, his stellar performance showcases his immense potential and ability to adapt quickly to F1, hinting at a bright future with Mercedes, especially after visiting Ayrton Senna's grave twice. On the other end, several experienced drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon, struggled significantly, raising questions about their current form and future prospects in a rapidly evolving grid.

The Details:

• Top Performers:

  • Lando Norris (McLaren) - 10/10: Delivered his second consecutive perfect score. He topped every session except SQ2 and converted strong qualifying performances into a dominant race weekend, turning a 14-point deficit to his teammate into a 24-point lead.
  • Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 9.5/10: Displayed exceptional pace, securing two second-place finishes in qualifying. He skillfully pressured Norris and defended against Max Verstappen in both races. His only deduction was for a minor role in Oscar Piastri's 10-second penalty.
  • Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 8.5/10: Earned valuable points with eighth in the sprint and tenth in the Grand Prix, increasing his season tally by 10%. He showed strong pace throughout the weekend, making a statement amidst news of his teammate's 2026 contract.
  • Oliver Bearman (Haas) - 8/10: Delivered another superb, mistake-free performance, securing sixth place in the Grand Prix. He now holds a 10-point advantage over his more experienced teammate, Esteban Ocon.
  • Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 8/10: Executed a difficult one-stop strategy brilliantly, holding off Isack Hadjar in the closing stages. His strong race performance will make it hard for Red Bull to drop him.

• Bottom Performers:

  • Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 4.5/10: Despite confirming his 2026 F1 contract, he struggled to match Gasly's pace and crashed in the sprint, though difficult conditions played a role.
  • Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 4/10: Had an underwhelming weekend, consistently off the pace, particularly compared to Bearman.
  • Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) - 3.5/10: Received a penalty for contact with Lance Stroll and was used as a test dummy for Verstappen. He lacked the necessary pace to secure his seat.
  • Gabriel Bortoleto (Stake) - 3/10: Endured a difficult home race with two incidents, including a terrifying sprint crash, and was slower than Nico Hulkenberg.
  • Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 3/10: Described his weekend as a "nightmare." He was eliminated in the middle sections of both qualifying sessions and suffered early race damage after running into the back of Colapinto, which was deemed his fault.

The big picture:

São Paulo has proven to be a pivotal race in the 2025 season, with a clear separation between those drivers performing at their peak and those struggling to find form. Norris's consistency is making him a formidable force, while the emergence of talents like Antonelli and Bearman is injecting new energy into the grid. Conversely, the struggles of seasoned drivers like Hamilton and Ocon highlight the intense pressure and relentless competition in F1, where even minor missteps can have significant consequences for a driver's season and career trajectory.

What's next:

With only a few rounds remaining, drivers will be looking to capitalize on any remaining opportunities to either solidify their championship positions, secure future contracts, or simply regain form. For Norris, maintaining this momentum will be key to his title charge. Young drivers like Antonelli and Bearman will aim to continue proving their worth, while those who underperformed, such as Hamilton and Tsunoda, will need to rebound swiftly to avoid further scrutiny and ensure their positions for the upcoming seasons.