The Top Races of the 2025 F1 Season

The 2025 Formula 1 season delivered a dramatic championship fight and several unforgettable races, from a chaotic wet opener in Melbourne to a nail-biting three-way title decider in Abu Dhabi. Each event played a crucial role in shaping the narrative of Lando Norris's maiden championship victory, marked by intense teammate battles, surprise podiums, and unpredictable weather.

Why it matters:

Recapping the season's standout events highlights the evolving competitive dynamics, the emergence of new contenders, and the specific moments where the championship was ultimately won and lost. These races define the legacy of a season and set the stage for future rivalries.

The details:

• Australian Grand Prix: The season opener in Melbourne set a chaotic precedent. Rain led to a crash on the formation lap and six DNFs. Lando Norris mastered the wet-to-dry conditions to win, while a late spin cost Oscar Piastri a podium, dropping him to ninth.
• British Grand Prix: Classic Silverstone weather created another thriller. A safety car and a penalty for Oscar Piastri allowed teammate Lando Norris to seize his first home victory. Nico Hülkenberg secured a popular first podium in his 239th Grand Prix, finishing third for Sauber.
• Dutch Grand Prix: Zandvoort delivered a pivotal championship moment. While Oscar Piastri won to extend his lead, a mechanical failure forced title rival Lando Norris to retire. Rookie Isack Hadjar capitalised to score his and France's youngest-ever podium finish.
• Sao Paulo Grand Prix: Interlagos saw Norris take firm control of the title fight. He dominated from pole, while Max Verstappen charged from the pit lane to the podium. Piastri's struggles continued with a penalty, shrinking his championship lead significantly.
• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: The season finale featured a historic three-way showdown between Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri. Verstappen won from pole, but a calm, composed drive to third place was enough for Norris to secure his first World Championship by a mere two points.

The big picture:

The 2025 season was defined by McLaren's internal duel and Verstappen's persistent challenge. Key themes included Norris's growth under pressure, Piastri's mid-season surge and subsequent stumble, and breakthrough moments for drivers like Hülkenberg and Hadjar. The championship battle remained open until the very final lap, underscoring a season of remarkable depth and competition.