Hamilton Left Off F1 Bosses' Top 10 Drivers List for 2025

In a definitive vote by F1 team principals, Lewis Hamilton was notably absent from the top ten drivers of the 2025 season, reflecting the most challenging campaign of his illustrious career. The annual poll crowned Max Verstappen as the year's best driver for the fifth consecutive time, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri rounding out the top three in a ranking that signals a significant shift in the sport's perceived hierarchy.

Why it matters:

This peer-review poll is a unique barometer of a driver's standing, as it reflects the confidential, behind-the-scenes assessments of the team leaders who see the data up close. Hamilton's exclusion is a landmark moment, underscoring the struggles he faced and marking the first time in his career he's been so completely overlooked by his peers. It also highlights the firm establishment of a new generation of drivers, like Piastri and the impressive rookies, who are now considered elite performers by the paddock's decision-makers.

The details:

• The Unmovable Top: Max Verstappen secured his fifth consecutive Driver of the Year title, reaffirming his status as the sport's benchmark. Lando Norris held firm in second, while Oscar Piastri's rise to third mirrors his championship position.
• Best of the Rest: George Russell was ranked fourth, recognized as the only driver outside of McLaren and Red Bull to win a race. Fernando Alonso climbed to fifth, praised for once again carrying Aston Martin on his shoulders.
• Major Movers: Carlos Sainz impressed in his Williams debut, earning sixth place and two surprise podiums. In stark contrast, Charles Leclerc fell four spots to seventh, paying the price for Ferrari's disastrous season.
• New Guard: Oliver Bearman (eighth) and Isack Hadjar (ninth) were the standout new entries. Hadjar's performances were so impressive they earned him a promotion to Red Bull for 2026.
• The Final Spot: Nico Hülkenberg rounded out the top ten, with his long-awaited first career podium at Silverstone clearly leaving a strong impression on team bosses.

Looking Ahead:

The rankings solidify the new pecking order at the top of F1, with Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri firmly established as the elite trio. For Hamilton, the omission adds significant pressure as he heads into the 2026 season with Ferrari, where he'll be determined to silence the critics and reclaim his place among the sport's greats. The emergence of young talent like Bearman and Hadjar signals a fiercely competitive future for the grid.