F1 Power Rankings: How drivers stack up early in season

Welcome to the first edition of our Formula 1 driver rankings for the 2025 season. Here's how each driver stacks up after a quarter of the season. Retirements not counted for worst finish.

1. Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Piastri didn't just step up, he's grown by leaps and bounds. The 24-year-old finds himself leading the championship after taking four wins and five podiums from the first six races.

2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull

The reigning world champion is dragging his Red Bull into title contention. While the car hasn't been able to keep up on race day, Verstappen's staked his worth in qualifying, with his three poles besting both McLaren drivers.

3. George Russell, Mercedes

Russell's start to 2025 has been largely impeccable. He has qualified and finished in the top five in every competitive session, has more podiums than all non-McLaren drivers, and sits just six points behind Verstappen.

4. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Ferrari has been a disappointment, but Leclerc has barely left any meat on the bone. When the team isn't costing him points with disqualifications, the eight-time race winner makes the most of a dire situation.

5. Lando Norris, McLaren

This probably isn't how Norris thought his season would go. He's been overmatched by his teammate as he struggles to adapt to his new car. The good news? Even with his troubles, he's only 16 points back of Piastri.

6. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Can we time travel back to January in Maranello when Hamilton and Ferrari had F1 in the palm of their hands? Although he sprinkled in an incredible sprint win, Hamilton hasn't looked as revitalized as some may have hoped, and Ferrari's SF-25 has been a dud.

7. Alex Albon, Williams

Williams is off to its best start in years, and Albon is due a ton of credit for that. He's finished in the points in five of six races and is closer to Hamilton in the standings than the drivers behind him.

8. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

There have been some growing pains, but Antonelli has done exactly what Mercedes desired: prove there is generational potential in this 18-year-old rookie.

9. Carlos Sainz, Williams

It took Sainz a bit to find comfort inside his new Williams, but he seems to have turned a corner with two straight points finishes and three consecutive Q3 appearances.

10. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

Hadjar's raw pace has almost completely erased the memory of his formation lap crash in Australia. He's been perhaps the most unexpected rookie bright spot this season.

11. Esteban Ocon, Haas

Arguably no driver has looked better in a new environment than Ocon, who sits ninth in the drivers' standings.

12. Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Gasly has steered the ship during another inconsistent year from Alpine. His terrific weekend in Bahrain was another example of the French driver developing into one of the most underrated pilots on the grid.

13. Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull

Tsunoda's momentum took a hit after his move to Red Bull curbed his hot start at Racing Bulls. He slowly seems to be finding his footing again.

14. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin

Alonso's had a few uncharacteristic slipups, which might be a sign of age finally catching up to him. However, he could also be pushing an Aston Martin car that simply has no pace to give.

15. Oliver Bearman, Haas

It's been a mix of highs and lows from Bearman. He's finished in the points in half of the races this season, but he's also qualified 20th in half of the races.

16. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

It's been a largely invisible season for the Sauber drivers, but Hulkenberg still seems to have a slight edge over his rookie teammate.

17. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin

While Stroll's been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism over the years - most of it warranted - he's single-handedly carrying Aston Martin in the standings.

18. Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Bortoleto had the best showing of his rookie year in Miami by qualifying 13th. Maybe that'll serve as a turning point after an uneventful beginning to his F1 career.

19. Jack Doohan, Alpine

Doohan's start to 2025 was unremarkable, and Alpine elected to drop him after six races as a result. While harsh, it's tough to argue against seeking out other options.

20. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

While Alpine ended the Doohan experiment after six races, it took Red Bull only two races to pull the plug on Lawson. The Kiwi driver has struggled to consistently outpace his rookie teammate, Hadjar, since the move.