Mid-Season Reflections on Formula 1: A Deep Dive into Teams and Drivers
The summer break in Formula 1 serves as more than just a pause in the racing calendar; it symbolizes a significant divide between what has been established and what still remains to be salvaged. As we look toward 2025, we find ourselves in a complex situation: with McLaren emerging as a strong contender, Red Bull facing fluctuating fortunes, and Ferrari struggling to maintain momentum. While the leading teams are redefining the battle for supremacy, the championship also unveils layers of disappointment and frustration. From promising debuts that have lost traction to ambitious projects still searching for their identity, this season has been marked by technical, operational, and individual setbacks — some of which already have a direct impact on the driver market and teams’ plans for 2026.
Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari: A Season of Frustration
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was one of the year’s major headlines, reminiscent of Sebastian Vettel’s transition in 2015 or even the beginning of Michael Schumacher’s legendary cycle. However, the midpoint of the season has revealed a different narrative: inconsistent Saturdays, challenging recovery on Sundays, and a scoreboard that finds him trailing Charles Leclerc. While Hamilton has shown race pace, his starting positions have been a significant issue. In a tightly contested grid, beginning in the midfield complicates strategy and diminishes opportunities.
Historically, Ferrari has required time to align their car and operations around a leader, and as of 2025, they have yet to fully accomplish this task. Recently, Hamilton’s public comments have taken a sharper turn, with open criticism of the car’s behavior, team execution, and decision-making processes. His remark, "I feel useless," exemplifies a growing disconnect that could further complicate the integration between the driver and the team.
What could alter this narrative? A more predictable Saturday: a solid warm-up lap, confidence in the car, and flawless execution. If Hamilton can get the SF-25 under control in Q3, he might find himself competing for podiums on merit rather than by circumstance, potentially quieting the off-track noise.
Kimi Antonelli: A Rising Star Facing Challenges
Kimi Antonelli’s debut season began on a high note: displaying impressive speed, maturity in reading races, and securing a podium that justified the hype surrounding him. However, as the summer break approaches, he finds himself on a downward trajectory. While Mercedes has improved their package, Antonelli’s Saturdays have lost some of their initial spark, and his race strategy has shifted from offensive to defensive.
For a rookie labeled as a phenomenon, the benchmark is not merely being good; it’s about evolving throughout the season. Recent examples from the likes of Oscar Piastri and George Russell show how a driver can transform practice sessions into qualifying performance, and this is precisely the leap Antonelli needs to make now. He must rebuild his decisive lap, stabilize his position in Q3, and aim to return to the top six based on performance.
Internally, Mercedes is cautious, acknowledging the learning curve while emphasizing a medium-term perspective. Yet, there’s a silent discontent: despite the car’s advancements and sustained race pace, Antonelli has slipped down the pecking order. The team is hoping the summer break will provide a chance to reset their processes. Among the rookies, he represents the largest relative disappointment — not just due to the total points scored but because he has lowered expectations following a promising start.
Yuki Tsunoda: Under Pressure at Red Bull
The seat alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull has proven costly for previous drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon, and now it’s taking its toll on Yuki Tsunoda. Scoring only ten points at the mid-season mark is far from what is expected from a driver in such a competitive environment. The root of the problem is clear: poor single laps during qualifying. When qualifying fails, race day turns into a struggle through traffic and dirty air, which is counterproductive to what the RB21 is built to do.
To survive in this seat, the formula is well-known: consistent performance in Q2 and Q3, clean laps at the right moments, and maintaining track limits. This year, Tsunoda has been provided with ample freedom, technical support, and even an updated package more frequently than usual for a second driver. However, the tone within Red Bull is starting to shift. Pressure for concrete results has intensified, and the name Isack Hadjar is making rounds as a potential replacement for 2026.
On tracks that reward qualifying performance, like Zandvoort and Monza, Tsunoda must either turn things around immediately or risk watching his season slip away. He needs to deliver not only to secure his seat but also to prove he has what it takes to compete in such a challenging grid.
Franco Colapinto: A Tough Start with Alpine
Franco Colapinto’s debut with Alpine has not gone as planned. Initial missteps during qualifying and struggles with race traffic have kept him at zero points in the standings. In recent races, he has begun to stabilize, but only at a level below expectations for someone stepping in for Jack Doohan — initially for a few races but now likely for the entire season.
Colapinto’s situation is unusual; he was thrust into a challenging environment with an unstable car and a pressured internal atmosphere. However, despite having some leeway for adaptation, there is a growing understanding that Alpine anticipated an immediate impact from his entry — something that hasn’t materialized. While evaluations are still ongoing, it is becoming increasingly clear that the second half of the season will be crucial not only for his future with the team but also for his overall F1 career.
The message is straightforward: the upcoming races will serve as a showcase. Without significant improvement, Colapinto risks becoming yet another rookie whose debut went unnoticed.
Struggling Teams: Alpine and Aston Martin
Alpine’s Ongoing Struggles
The French outfit Alpine is continuing to face a chronic issue that has persisted since 2023: a technical development process that fails to translate into genuine performance. Too many Saturdays have seen them stuck in Q1, with a car that struggles on straightaways and falters in rapid changes. The internal switch, with Colapinto replacing Doohan, has further highlighted these structural weaknesses. The introduction of new names in the technical area after the winter restructuring has yet to yield improvements on the timing sheets.
Behind the scenes, Alpine’s focus is already partially shifting toward 2026, but there is pressure from Renault’s upper management for the team to stabilize its performance by the end of the year. The current demand is pragmatic: deliver a predictable car for qualifying and provide drivers with tangible opportunities to gain points during races. Without achieving this, points will continue to be scarce — and with it, Pierre Gasly might circle back to the top ten, while Colapinto could escape the very bottom of the grid.
Aston Martin: Signs of Progress
Aston Martin began 2025 below expectations but is showing clear signs of advancement in recent races. The latest aerodynamic packages appear to be making a difference, and a restructuring of the update schedule seems to be paying off. The team believes it has turned a corner, with a focus now on consolidating this recovery: reducing its reliance on strategy to earn points and converting qualifying performance into consistent results.
Lance Stroll’s side of the garage remains a concern, but Fernando Alonso has been able to push the car to its limits. The contrast with the start of 2023 serves both as a cautionary tale and a guide: when qualifying goes well, race day tends to follow suit.
The Challenges Ahead in the Second Half of the Season
The tightly packed schedule of Zandvoort, Monza, and Baku punishes those who fail to qualify well. Races in Singapore and Austin will test the car’s efficiency on uneven surfaces, while events in Mexico and Interlagos will demand tire management and performance under pressure. Simply put: Hamilton needs to transform his pace into better grid positions; Antonelli must rediscover his decisive lap; Tsunoda has to stop squandering Q2 and Q3 opportunities; Colapinto needs to establish a consistent presence in Q2; Alpine must deliver measurable progress; and Aston Martin aims to solidify its recent resurgence. The summer break is short — the window to reshape the narrative for 2025 is rapidly closing.
