Max Verstappen has once again been recognised by his rivals as Formula 1’s standout performer of the year. In an annual poll conducted by the official F1 website, participating drivers named the Dutchman Drivers’ Driver of the Year 2025, marking the fifth consecutive season in which he has topped the rankings. Just like in 2024, Verstappen was also voted Driver of the Year by the Formula 1 team principals, making it a clean sweep of the sport’s major end-of-season awards.

Despite missing out on the world championship to Lando Norris by just two points, Verstappen’s remarkable late-season surge clearly left a strong impression on the grid. The Red Bull driver won six of the final nine races and overturned a 104-point deficit to push the title fight to the final rounds, with six drivers placing him first on their ballots.

Drivers were asked to privately select their own top 10 performers of the season, using the current F1 points system to determine the final ranking. While they were allowed to vote for themselves, many chose not to.

World Champion Lando Norris finished second in the poll for the second year running. The McLaren driver enjoyed a superb campaign, winning seven Grands Prix and withstanding enormous pressure from both Verstappen and team-mate Oscar Piastri to clinch his maiden title.

George Russell completed the top three after a strong season with Mercedes. The Briton secured two race victories and seven additional podiums, helping the team to remain competitive against McLaren and Red Bull.

Oscar Piastri, who led the championship heading into the summer break before a dip in form saw him fall out of title contention, was ranked fourth, improving by one place compared to last season’s poll.

Ferrari endured a much more difficult year in 2025, finishing only fourth in the Constructors’ standings. Even so, Charles Leclerc delivered consistently and collected seven podiums, earning fifth place in the vote. Carlos Sainz was rewarded for a very strong second half of the year with Williams, taking two podiums and securing sixth – matching his ranking from 2024.

Fernando Alonso continued to impress with his racecraft and determination, finishing seventh, two places higher than in the previous edition of the poll. The double World Champion dragged Aston Martin into the top 10 in the Drivers’ standings thanks to several standout performances.

Three new names completed the classification. Williams driver Alex Albon enjoyed one of his best seasons of his F1 career so far and was voted eighth. Rookie Haas driver Ollie Bearman earned ninth after an outstanding debut campaign that included a five-race scoring streak and a superb fourth place in Mexico. Fellow rookie Isack Hadjar finished tenth after scoring his first F1 podium at Zandvoort.

Top 10 Drivers’ Driver of the Year 2025

(as voted by Formula 1 drivers via F1’s official website)

1. Max Verstappen
2. Lando Norris
3. George Russell
4. Oscar Piastri
5. Charles Leclerc
6. Carlos Sainz
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Alex Albon
9. Ollie Bearman
10. Isack Hadjar