Max Verstappen reflects on a 2025 season where he came within two points of a fifth title, calling it a "rollercoaster" with his Red Bull but having no regrets. He credits a mid-season upgrade for a late surge that made the fight enjoyable and believes the team's positive momentum is perfect for the upcoming 2026 rules revolution.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown asserts his team has defied F1 convention by successfully managing two equal number-one drivers in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who fought fairly for the 2025 title. He credits their professional dynamic and the team's calculated risk in hiring them as rookies for proving a harmonious dual-leader model is possible.
Helmut Marko asserts that Red Bull's delayed dismissal of Christian Horner directly cost Max Verstappen the 2025 Formula 1 championship. In a candid exit interview, Marko detailed a bitter internal power struggle he claims diverted focus and hurt on-track performance, arguing that acting sooner would have allowed a recovery in time to secure the title.
Helmut Marko disputes Red Bull's account of his exit, citing internal power struggles. Kimi Antonelli dominated a karting event incognito, and McLaren's 2025 car is said to use an Adrian Newey-inspired design trick, highlighting key off-season F1 developments.
The FIA has modified the 2026 active aerodynamics rules, permitting a partial mode to prevent skid wear in wet weather. Separately, Red Bull's Laurent Mekies explains he left Ferrari for the opportunity to become a team principal, a career step he couldn't refuse.
Red Bull's Laurent Mekies believes Yuki Tsunoda can return to the F1 grid after being dropped for 2026, citing the driver's own rapid promotion in 2025 as proof that fortunes can change quickly. Tsunoda will serve as the team's test and reserve driver next season.
Lando Norris reflects on winning his first F1 World Championship, stating he "proved himself wrong" by overcoming early-season doubts and a points deficit. His victory in Abu Dhabi capped a remarkable second-half turnaround, transforming from a driver battling errors into a resilient champion.
Nico Rosberg analyzes Lewis Hamilton's difficult first year at Ferrari, stating the seven-time champion is 'suffering' in a 'horrible situation' but cannot retire without it being a 'loss of face,' leaving him tragically 'stuck' with no clear path forward as his career winds down.
1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill compares Max Verstappen's driving precision and mental fortitude to legends Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. Hill states Verstappen sets the current benchmark in the sport, requiring rivals to have a significantly faster car to beat him, much like in Schumacher's era.
Oscar Piastri's 2025 season was a story of brilliance overshadowed by team strategy favoring Lando Norris. His third-place finish raises uncomfortable questions about McLaren's internal favoritism and whether Piastri can realistically fight for a title within the current team hierarchy.
Max Verstappen leads RacingNews365's final 2025 F1 driver ratings with an 8.4 average, just ahead of champion Lando Norris. The rankings, based on post-race scores, highlight Verstappen's peak performances, Norris's recovery, and Oscar Piastri's costly mid-season slump, while also showcasing George Russell's strong year and Charles Leclerc's resilience in a difficult Ferrari.
Ferrari sacrificed its 2025 season, halting development on the SF-25 early to pour all resources into its 2026 car. This high-risk strategy, born from a disappointing fourth-place finish, grants the team bonus wind-tunnel time but places immense pressure on its new-era project to succeed where the old one failed.
