It is life in the slow lane for 'useless' Hamilton at Ferrari

As Formula One reaches its summer break, Kieran Jackson gives out his mid-season awards, including the biggest shock

- By Kieran Jackson

Fourteen down, 10 to go. The 2025 F1 season is in full swing and it's neck-and-neck at the top of the world championship. After Lando Norris's victory in Hungary following a thrilling finale, holding off a late charge from Oscar Piastri, the Australian's lead in the drivers' standings is now just nine points. Away from the McLaren title fight, Ferrari are second in the constructors' standings but have not won a race with star signing Lewis Hamilton yet to secure a top-three finish - while Red Bull (twice) and Mercedes (once) have managed to finish on the top step of the podium. And what about the rest of the pack? Williams have shown signs of improvement, while Sauber have made massive progress in the last few months, ahead of their entry as Audi in 2026.

As F1 rolls into the four-week summer break, with the next race in Zandvoort on 31 August, The Independent takes a look at the most memorable moments so far.

Best driver: Oscar Piastri

It shouldn't be forgotten that Norris was the clear favourite at the start of the season, ahead of a campaign where McLaren's superiority was widely foreseen. Yet Piastri's consistency in just his third F1 season he has been off the podium just once since the season-opener in Australia means he leads the world championship and deservedly so, regularly outshining his senior teammate. Six wins, 12 podiums – it's been immensely impressive.

Other shoutouts go to George Russell, who has eked out the maximum from this capricious Mercedes car, with one win and six podiums to his name. Max Verstappen's wins in Japan and Imola were also mighty.