Controversial Driver Rankings

The off season drama continues, and honestly, some of this stuff is even spicier than the on track action. We’ve got controversial driver rankings that have left Charles Leclerc fans absolutely fuming, a protest fee structure that could change how teams challenge decisions, and the biggest silly season moves happening behind the scenes. Let me walk you through all the F1 today updates that have the paddock talking.

The Driver Rankings Are Absolutely Bonkers

Every year the team principals vote on who they think the best drivers were, and this year’s results are… controversial, to say the least. Only eight team bosses actually participated, among missing bosses were Fred Vasseur from Ferrari, and no Christian Horner or Helmut Marko from Red Bull. That’s already setting up some weird dynamics.

F1 Today: 2025 Team Principal Driver Rankings

Max on top? Obviously. No debate there. Lando second, Oscar third, Russell fourth, okay I can live with that, though I’d be tempted to put George higher. But then it gets properly interesting.

My biggest controversies with these rankings:

• Alonso fifth feels generous, yes, he demolished Stroll in qualifying, but it is Lance Stroll
• Leclerc down in seventh is criminal, seven podiums in a dog of a Ferrari with all the drama
• Hamilton missing the top ten for the first time since 2021, his ranking decline tells a different story

But the real crime here is Leclerc down in seventh. SEVENTH! The man had seven podiums in what was basically a dog of a Ferrari for half the season, dealt with disqualifications and all sorts of drama, and consistently delivered. To have him behind Alonso and Sainz feels sad to me. Charles absolutely deserves to be in that top five conversation.

The Rookie Battle

Then we get to the rookie battle. Ollie Bearman is eighth, Isack Hadjar ninth, Hulkenberg tenth, and Lewis Hamilton doesn’t even make the top ten, that is wild. Now look, I’m biased toward Bearman, but even trying to be objectively, I think Hadjar edges rookie of the year.

Bearman’s highlights for 2025 F1 season:

• Mexico P4 (could’ve been podium)
• Sensational Brazil performance
• Strong end to the season

Hadjar’s strengths:

• More consistent overall performance
• Secured actual podium finish
• Impressive consistency throughout

There is definitely some bias at play since Ollie finished stronger, historical data is fascinating too. Watching Lewis’s ranking decline year on year since 2021 tells a story. Hopefully Ferrari gives him the car to shoot back up that list in 2026.

F1 Schedule Impact: Track Changes and Eye-Watering Protest Fees

A point to note, Suzuka’s getting resurfaced and they’re actually selling off pieces of the old asphalt. Like, you can own a literal chunk of one of the greatest circuits in the world. That’s pretty cool, even if it’s just marketing genius. This resurfacing will definitely impact the F1 schedule preparations as teams recalibrate their setups for the new surface.

New 2026 Protest Fee Structure

But the bigger story is this new protest fee situation. If you want to protest a steward’s decision in 2026 F1 season, it’ll cost you €20,000. And here’s the kicker, unsuccessful protests will be counted against your cost cap. That’s absolutely massive.

Why this matters:

• €20k is significant when fighting to stay under budget cap
• Teams must be absolutely certain before protesting
• Could discourage legitimate appeals of poor decisions
• Favors wealthier teams who can absorb the cost

Problem is the protest rules are already stacked up against teams. Teams re required to have “significant new evidence” that wasn’t available at the time. So even if the stewards make an absolute howler of a decision, and if you can’t provide new evidence, your protest gets binned immediately. Leaving you with a twenty grand hole in your cost cap? Teams will have to be absolutely certain before lodging any appeals.

I get the logic, discourage frivolous appeals and finalize results faster. But when we know the stewards aren’t paid enough and they keep on changing from weekend to weekend, then this feels like the wrong incentive structure.

Formula 1 Silly Season Never Really Ends

Aston Martin is in a fascinating spot right now they don’t have a CEO. Adrian Newey is team principal but he doesn’t want to do media or sponsor duties, he just wants to design cars. There are rumblings that Mike Crack is not happy after effectively getting demoted, and if he disagrees with Newey on things, well, it’s Newey’s way or the highway.

Aston Martin Leadership Situation

Enter Andreas Seidl. Former McLaren guy, former Audi guy who got sacked after managing their transition. He’s apparently in talks for the Aston CEO role. That would be a massive get for them and another ex-McLaren person shuffling around the paddock.

GP Lambiase’s Suitors: The Biggest Story

But the biggest drama? GP Lambiase might actually be leaving Red Bull. Initially it was just Aston Martin, but now McLaren are in the mix too, along with Williams.

James Vowles would love to add another Red Bull scalp to his collection after Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay.

The key factors:

• If more teams will show interest the harder it will be for Red Bull to match offers
• GP reportedly wants more UK based time away from trackside
• Leave period remains unclear
• Massive loss for Max and Red Bull if he leaves

The more teams interested, the harder it becomes for Red Bull to match the offers. If GP wants to spend more time in the UK away from trackside duties, other teams can offer that. Whoever gets him, it’s a huge loss for Max and Red Bull but a massive gain for the team that lands him. My big question is what does the gardening leave look like? How long before he could actually start elsewhere?

What’s Your Take?

Do you think the driver rankings are fair or is Leclerc getting absolutely robbed? Should the protest fee be this high when the stewards aren’t consistent? And where do you think GP Lambiase would end up?McLaren, Aston Martin, Williams, or staying put at Red Bull?

My predictions:

• The €20k protest fee will prevent at least 3 legitimate appeals
• GP leaves Red Bull by mid 2026 F1 Season
• Leclerc proves the rankings wrong with a stellar 2026 season

Drop your thoughts in the comments. Hit that like button if you enjoyed this breakdown, and subscribe because the silly season is far from over. See you in the next one!

More analysis: How Ferrari, Alpine, Honda and Red Bull are responding | Official Formula 1 updates