2025 Qatar Grand Prix: Drivers Reflect on Season and Future Ahead of Race Weekend

Formula 1 drivers Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, and Liam Lawson, along with veterans Nico Hülkenberg, Carlos Sainz, and Lewis Hamilton, convened at the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix press conference to discuss their season performances, upcoming race strategies, and the evolving landscape of F1 regulations. Emerging talents reflected on their growth and challenges, while seasoned drivers shared their insights on team dynamics and the sport's future direction.

Why it matters:

The 2025 Qatar Grand Prix serves as a pivotal point for drivers to reflect on a season of intense competition and look ahead to the significant regulatory changes anticipated for 2026. Their candid discussions reveal the mental and physical demands of F1, the critical importance of team cohesion, and the ongoing debate surrounding race stewarding, all of which shape the sport's trajectory and competitive balance.

The Details:

• Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) described his most recent race as his "best race of the season so far" due to excellent execution and tyre management, enabling a one-stop strategy. He highlighted learning to manage his mindset and growth through difficult moments, such as his struggles post-new suspension at Spa. Looking ahead to Qatar, Antonelli hopes Mercedes can maintain their strong qualifying performance seen in previous years despite the season's unpredictable track performance.
• Oliver Bearman (Haas) celebrated five consecutive points finishes, attributing much of his recent success to an upgrade introduced in Austin. He noted the car now feels more "on edge" but provides the speed they've been chasing. Bearman also shared insights on adapting his driving style from F2 to F1, emphasizing a step-by-step approach to finding the car's limits and better structuring his busy F1 weekends. He believes Haas can compete on any track, given their strong performance in Las Vegas, a circuit he least anticipated success.
• Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) reflected on a "roller coaster" year, emphasizing the need to quickly move past mistakes due to the demanding race calendar. He noted improvements in extracting one-lap pace from the car throughout the season, a previous struggle. Lawson acknowledged the team had a tough race in Qatar last year but expressed optimism for this weekend, citing a better understanding of the car.
• Nico Hülkenberg (Kick Sauber), approaching his 250th Grand Prix, reflected positively on his long career and the "good fun" of being in F1. He praised Kick Sauber's progress in 2025, noting the team's recovery from a difficult start and improved performance. Hülkenberg highlighted the enhanced team vibe that comes with competitive results and fighting for points, expressing confidence in the team's growth.
• Carlos Sainz (Williams) expressed satisfaction with his recent Vegas performance, particularly his P3 start, and recognized the challenge of maintaining that position against faster cars. He anticipates a difficult weekend in Qatar due to the track's fast sweeps, which don't suit the Williams car's characteristics, but sees it as an opportunity for the team to learn. Sainz also reflected on his first year with Williams, exceeding expectations with a podium and strong constructor standings, despite the ups and downs of adapting back to a midfield team.
• Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) offered brief, forward-looking reflections on his first season with Ferrari, acknowledging positive team cohesion and passion, despite the results. He stated his enthusiasm for next season, dismissing earlier frustrations as typical end-of-season weariness. Hamilton expressed hope for a better performance in Qatar, anticipating the Ferrari car to be decent on the fast-speed corners.

Between the lines:

The ongoing discussion among drivers regarding driving standards and stewarding reveals a significant point of contention within F1. The desire for a more consistent and experienced judging panel, potentially comprising former racing drivers, suggests a disconnect between current guidelines and the realities of on-track action. Carlos Sainz's strong advocacy for ex-drivers as stewards, and the shared sentiment among all drivers about the need for evolution in this area, indicates a clear call for change to ensure fairer and more consistent decision-making.

What's next:

The 25-lap stint limit in Qatar, implemented for safety reasons, will force a more straightforward, potentially flat-out race with a mandated two-stop strategy. This could offer insights into how F1 might handle similar forced multi-stop races in the future, although drivers generally prefer strategic variety. As the 2026 regulations loom, drivers' collective excitement to move on from the current ground effect cars underscores a shared anticipation for a new era that promises different driving characteristics and potentially a more 'natural' driving style, signaling a collective readiness for significant change in Formula 1.