The F1 2025 awards go to...

Lando Norris won the 2025 drivers' world championship, but who else impressed? Kieran Jackson picks through the good, the bad and the ugly of an entertaining and dramatic season

- Kieran Jackson

Lando Norris claimed his first F1 drivers' championship at the final race in Abu Dhabi, with the McLaren driver securing the title by just two points over Max Verstappen.

The season finale at Yas Marina saw the title race go down to the season-decider for the first time in four years - and the first time between more than two drivers since 2010, with Oscar Piastri also in contention but ultimately finishing third.

While there was plenty of drama at the front of the grid, it was a woeful year for Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, and fans of the seven-time world champion as his debut year with the Scuderia went horribly wrong.

The reshuffle of the F1 grid in 2026 is now set, too, with Isack Hadjar's rise at Red Bull and a debut campaign awaiting British teenager Arvid Lindblad, with a host of teams eyeing improvement in a new phase of rules and regulations.

But before focusing on next year, here's how everything went down in 2025 with The Independent's F1 awards for 2025:

Best driver: Max Verstappen

The fact that the irrepressible 28-year-old was still in contention heading into the final race, and ultimately finished just two points behind championship winner Norris, speaks volumes.

The Dutchman astonishingly secured the most wins on the grid - eight, one ahead of both Norris and Piastri - in the third-quickest car on the grid. From a deficit of 104 points with nine races to go, it was a comeback which nearly resulted in a miracle.

Japan, Imola and Austin were Verstappen's best wins, in a year where his pedigree has shot up skywards. Turns out, folks, it's not just about the car. He is clearly the standout driver on the grid.

Best team: McLaren