The 2025 Formula 1 season has paused for its mandatory summer break after 14 action‑packed rounds. With nearly two-thirds of the races complete and ten Grand Prix weekends still ahead (including three Sprint rounds), the championship battle is finely poised. This article provides a detailed look at the driver standings, highlights the key storylines and outlines how the F1 points system works in 2025 so you can follow every twist of the title fight.
Driver standings after the Hungarian Grand Prix
Round 14 at the Hungaroring (Hungarian Grand Prix on 3 August 2025) marked the end of the first half of the season. Below is the championship table at the start of the summer shutdown. It shows how close the fight is between team‑mates at the top and how the midfield is shaping up. Remember that points are now awarded to the top ten finishers in each Grand Prix (25‑18‑15‑12‑10‑8‑6‑4‑2‑1) and the top eight in Sprint races (8‑7‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1).
Position | Driver | Team | Points |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 284 |
2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 275 |
3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 187 |
4 | George Russell | Mercedes | 172 |
5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 151 |
6 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 109 |
7 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 64 |
8 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 54 |
9 | Nico Hülkenberg | Kick Sauber | 37 |
10 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 27 |
A further eleven drivers have scored points in 2025: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are tied on 26 points for Aston Martin; rookie Isack Hadjar has 22 for Racing Bulls; Pierre Gasly (Alpine) and Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) both have 20; Carlos Sainz (Williams) has 16; Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) has 14; Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) has 10; Oliver Bearman (Haas) has 8; while Franco Colapinto and Jack Doohan have yet to score.
A nine‑point gap at the top
The table underscores two realities of the season so far: McLaren’s dominance and the razor‑thin margin between its drivers. Oscar Piastri leads the world championship with 284 points after fourteen rounds. He has claimed six Grand Prix victories and has rarely finished outside the podium. Piastri’s strength has been his consistency — he has only twice failed to reach the rostrum and his calm approach, compared by some observers to Alain Prost’s precision, has made him a formidable opponent. The Australian seized control of the standings early with consecutive wins in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Miami, and built a buffer by capitalising on his team‑mate’s misfortunes.
Hot on his heels is Lando Norris. After entering 2025 as the title favourite thanks to McLaren’s strong 2024 form, Norris had a mixed start. A crash in Saudi Arabian qualifying and a collision with Piastri in Canada cost him valuable points. Nevertheless, the Briton remains only nine points behind after three wins (Monaco, Austria and Hungary) and a run of podiums. Norris has admitted that he initially struggled to adapt to the front‑end feel of McLaren’s 2025 car, but his pace during the European summer suggests he has found his rhythm. With ten rounds still to go, the inter‑team rivalry at McLaren is set to be one of the sport’s tightest since 2016 and could be decided by strategic calls and minimising mistakes.
Contenders from other teams
While the top two drivers have accumulated nearly 60% of the available points, the fight behind them remains open.
Max Verstappen sits third with 187 points and has won twice in 2025. Red Bull Racing’s RB21 has not been the class‑leading car of previous years, and the Dutchman has acknowledged that the title is likely out of reach. Nevertheless, Verstappen continues to deliver strong results, including wins in Japan and Qatar, and he is still a factor in race strategy because of his ability to maximise limited opportunities.
George Russell is fourth on 172 points after taking Mercedes’ first victory of the season in Canada. Mercedes’ race pace has improved relative to 2024, but the team still lacks consistent qualifying performance. Russell’s relentless execution keeps him in contention for podiums, and a strong run after the break could see him pressure Verstappen for third in the standings.
Ferrari’s new driver pairing of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupy fifth and sixth respectively. Leclerc grabbed a brilliant pole and win in Spain and has amassed 151 points. Hamilton, in his first season with Ferrari, has 109 points. The seven‑time champion has shown flashes of pace — securing a Sprint pole in China and finishing on the podium in Monaco — but also endured difficult weekends, including qualifying struggles in Spa and Budapest. Ferrari is still in the constructors’ hunt, but unless both drivers find consistency, their focus may shift towards 2026’s new regulations.
Rookie impacts and midfield shake‑up
Beyond the headline names, the rookies and midfielders have provided some of the season’s most compelling stories.
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) stands seventh with 64 points. The 18‑year‑old has shown maturity beyond his years, even taking a surprise pole in the Miami Sprint. His aggressive racecraft and ability to learn quickly bode well for Mercedes’ long‑term prospects.
Alexander Albon has delivered Williams’ best start to a season since 2017 and sits eighth with 54 points. A strong qualifying record and opportunistic strategies have yielded several top‑six finishes, proving that Williams’ updates are paying off.
Nico Hülkenberg has been a revelation for the rebranded Kick Sauber team. His podium at Silverstone was not only his first in 239 starts but also Kick Sauber’s first rostrum since 2012. He has 37 points and continues to extract results from a midfield car.
Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have been closely matched, highlighting how tight the midfield battle is. All three drivers hover around the mid‑20s in points, and positions often shuffle due to race‑by‑race variations.
Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson have been impressive in their first full seasons with Racing Bulls. Hadjar, with 22 points, consistently outpaces his more experienced team‑mate and sits just ahead of Lawson on countback. Their battle has been one of the season’s surprise subplots.
Gabriel Bortoleto scored his first points with a stirring drive in Austria and continues to show pace following Kick Sauber’s Barcelona upgrades. His performances suggest that Audi’s incoming works team will have an exciting talent on its hands.
Understanding the 2025 Formula 1 points system
With such a close fight at the top, understanding how points are awarded helps make sense of the standings. The system used in 2025 rewards consistency and high finishes while encouraging drivers to push in both Grand Prix and Sprint sessions.
Grand Prix points (full races)
In a standard race that runs at least 75% of the scheduled distance, points are awarded to the top ten finishers as follows:
Position | Points |
---|---|
1st | 25 |
2nd | 18 |
3rd | 15 |
4th | 12 |
5th | 10 |
6th | 8 |
7th | 6 |
8th | 4 |
9th | 2 |
10th | 1 |
For 2025, the fastest‑lap bonus point has been removed. The change closes a loophole in which drivers outside the top ten could pit for fresh tyres to deny rivals a point and emphasises finishing positions over late‑race time‑trial tactics.
Sprint race points
Six rounds in 2025 feature the F1 Sprint, a 100 km dash held on Saturday. The Sprint no longer determines the starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix (qualifying takes place after the Sprint) and instead offers its own points to the top eight finishers. The distribution is: 8‑7‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1. These points count toward both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships, which is why a strong Sprint can narrow or widen gaps considerably.
Points in shortened races
Occasionally a race is cut short by weather or red flags. The FIA’s regulations define four bands, and points are scaled accordingly:
- Less than two racing laps completed: no points are awarded.
- Between two laps and 25% distance: points to the top five on a 6‑4‑3‑2‑1 basis.
- Between 25% and 50 %: points to the top nine on a 13‑10‑8‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1 basis.
- Between 50% and 75%: points to the top ten on a 19‑14‑12‑9‑8‑6‑5‑3‑2‑1 basis.
- 75 % or more: full points.
This graduated scale ensures that drivers and teams still earn meaningful points relative to the distance completed, avoiding the confusion of past seasons when half‑points were awarded.
Tie‑breaker rules
If two or more drivers finish the season tied on points, a countback system determines their ranking. The driver with the most Grand Prix wins is placed higher. If they have an equal number of victories, the number of second‑place finishes is compared, then thirds, and so on. In the extremely unlikely event that drivers remain inseparable, the FIA has provisions to decide the champion, but this situation has never arisen at the end of a season.
Key storylines to watch after the break
With ten events still to come — including three Sprint weekends — the 2025 season is far from decided. Here are the main storylines that will define the run‑in.
1. The McLaren duel
The friction between Piastri and Norris has been largely respectful, but both drivers know that the margin for error is tiny. Piastri’s strength lies in his composure and ability to deliver lap time under pressure, while Norris thrives on extracting pace on low‑fuel runs and improvising strategy. Team orders have not been necessary so far, but as the stakes rise, McLaren may need to prioritise one driver to maximise its chance of beating rivals in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. The team will also need to avoid a repeat of their clash in Canada that cost a likely one‑two finish.
2. Verstappen’s fightback and Red Bull’s future
Even though the triple world champion is 97 points behind the leader, Max Verstappen remains a threat whenever he has a competitive package. Red Bull’s mid‑season updates should help them challenge for wins on high‑speed circuits like Monza and Baku. Off‑track, the team has been in transition following management changes, and Verstappen’s long‑term commitment has been a topic of speculation. A strong second half could influence Red Bull’s driver strategy and their 2026 preparations.
3. Mercedes vs Ferrari for second place
Only 24 points separate Mercedes and Ferrari in the constructors’ standings, with George Russell consistently outscoring both Ferraris. However, Ferrari’s power‑sensitive car could excel at circuits like Monza and Baku, giving Leclerc and Hamilton an opportunity to widen the gap. How each team develops its package under the cost cap will be a fascinating subplot.
4. Rookie battles and the midfield race
The rookies — Antonelli, Hadjar, Lawson, Bortoleto and Bearman — will continue to attract attention. Mercedes hopes Antonelli will support Russell’s push for victories, while Racing Bulls want to determine which of their young drivers is best placed for a future Red Bull promotion. Kick Sauber will evaluate whether Bortoleto’s flashes of speed justify a long‑term seat when they become Audi in 2026. Meanwhile, Williams, Aston Martin, Kick Sauber, Racing Bulls and Haas are separated by just 50 points in the constructors’ fight for fifth; a strong weekend could swing millions in prize money.
5. Upcoming circuits and Sprint weekends
After the break, F1 travels to some of its most dramatic venues:
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Netherlands (Zandvoort, 29–31 Aug) – A banked seaside circuit where local hero Max Verstappen will look to delight the “orange army.”
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Italy (Monza, 5–7 Sep) – The “Temple of Speed” rewards low‑downforce setups and is a home race for Ferrari.
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Azerbaijan (Baku, 19–21 Sep) – A street circuit that mixes narrow medieval streets with a long flat‑out straight.
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Singapore (3–5 Oct) – The original night race is physically punishing and often yields safety‑car‑affected strategy.
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United States (Austin, 17–19 Oct – Sprint) – A roller‑coaster circuit with a steep climb into Turn 1 and fast flowing Esses section.
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Mexico City (24–26 Oct) – High altitude tests engines and turbo systems while the Foro Sol stadium section delivers atmosphere.
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São Paulo (Interlagos, 7–9 Nov – Sprint) – Known for unpredictable weather and great racing, this track frequently produces classic Grands Prix.
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Las Vegas (21–23 Nov) – A new event in 2024, returning with a street circuit under the neon lights.
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Qatar (28–30 Nov – Sprint) – Lusail’s fast, flowing layout suits cars with strong aerodynamic efficiency.
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Abu Dhabi (12–14 Dec) – The traditional season finale at Yas Marina where titles have been decided in the past.
With three Sprint weekends still to come (Austin, São Paulo and Qatar), there are 36 extra points available in addition to the standard race totals. A driver can score up to 33 points in a single weekend (Sprint win plus Grand Prix win), so momentum can swing rapidly.
Historical context: close championship battles
Formula 1 has a rich history of title fights decided by slender margins, and the 2025 season has all the ingredients to join that list. In 1984, Niki Lauda edged McLaren team‑mate Alain Prost by half a point. In 2007, McLaren duo Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton ended level on points, only to lose the title by a single point to Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen. More recently, the controversial 2021** showdown between Verstappen and Hamilton went to the final lap in Abu Dhabi. Those seasons illustrate how reliability, strategy and internal team dynamics can shape the outcome when two drivers have equal machinery.
As Piastri and Norris resume hostilities, McLaren will study these precedents. Countback rules mean victories are crucial; currently, Piastri’s six wins give him the edge if the pair finish tied on points. Norris will need to match his team‑mate’s win tally or hope that consistent podiums compensate for any deficit.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many points does a driver get for winning a Formula 1 race in 2025?
A Grand Prix win awards 25 points to the driver. The rest of the top ten score 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 point respectively. There is no additional point for fastest lap in 2025.
What are the points for a Sprint race?
Sprints award points to the top eight finishers: 8 points for first, then 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point for eighth place.
How are points awarded if a race is shortened?
If less than two racing laps are completed, no points are given. Between two laps and 25% distance, the top five score 6‑4‑3‑2‑1. 25–50% distance sees points for the top nine on 13‑10‑8‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1. 50–75% distance awards 19‑14‑12‑9‑8‑6‑5‑3‑2‑1 to the top ten. Full points are only awarded once 75% of the scheduled distance is reached.
What happens if two drivers are tied on points at the end of the season?
The FIA uses a countback system: the driver with the most race wins is ranked ahead. If wins are equal, second‑place finishes are compared, then thirds, and so on. A championship has never been decided by countback alone, but the rule ensures a clear champion even if points are tied.
Which rookies should fans watch in the second half of 2025?
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) has already taken a Sprint pole and scored consistent points. Isack Hadjar andLiam Lawson (Racing Bulls) have impressed with race craft and fearless overtakes, while Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) is growing in confidence after scoring points in Austria. These newcomers not only shape the midfield battle but also audition for future seats with top teams.
How many races are left in the 2025 season?
After the summer break there are ten Grands Prix remaining, including Sprint weekends in Austin, São Paulo and Qatar. The season resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix on 31 August and concludes in Abu Dhabi on 14 December.
How does the 2025 points system differ from previous seasons?
The key change is the removal of the bonus point for fastest lap. Previously, a driver finishing in the top ten could earn an extra point for setting the quickest lap. The FIA scrapped this rule for 2025, so the maximum points available in a Grand Prix weekend (including Sprint) is now 33 points. All other aspects of the points system remain unchanged, including the countback tie‑breaker and the sliding scale for shortened races.
The 2025 season has provided thrilling wheel‑to‑wheel racing, surprise winners and a championship battle that pits two team‑mates against each other in equal machinery. With ten rounds to go, there’s plenty of drama to come — and with the RaceMate app you can follow the action live, see how each position changes the standings in real time and never miss a critical moment. Whether you’re cheering for Piastri, Norris or a dark‑horse contender, understanding the points system and the context behind the numbers will enhance your enjoyment of what promises to be a classic F1 title showdown.