The championship table might not always tell the entire story in the world of Formula 1. As the saying goes, it doesn't lie, but it often fails to capture the true essence of success or failure for the teams involved. During F1's August break, we've taken the opportunity to assess each team's performance against their pre-season expectations. For some teams, this meant striving for wins and championship challenges, while others focused on establishing their respectability in the midfield. To evaluate their efforts, we have adopted a classic school report grading system, ranging from A to F. An A signifies excellence, while an F indicates terrible performance. Additionally, we have included subdivisions like B+, B, and B- to reflect how well each team has maximized its car's potential on track.
Championship Position: 4th | Points: 194
Red Bull has experienced a solid season by the standards of most teams, but for a team that has dominated the current rules era, anything less than a championship challenge is unacceptable. With only two wins and a sprint victory, this performance falls short of expectations, especially given the upheaval caused by team principal Christian Horner's unexpected departure. Although Max Verstappen has salvaged some victories against considerable odds, he has expressed concerns about the car's limitations. Persistent issues like understeer have hindered performance, and the team faced baffling grip issues at the Hungaroring before the August break. While recent upgrades in Belgium showed signs of improvement, they are insufficient to reclaim the team's previous glory.
Verdict: Red Bull's solid execution on track is somewhat misleading given their overall performance.
Championship Position: 7th | Points: 51
Sauber's pre-season testing in Bahrain was chaotic, with a car that initially failed to inspire confidence. However, improvements during the Australian Grand Prix marked the arrival of their intended 2025-specification car. The significant transformation came with the floor upgrade at the Spanish Grand Prix, making the car faster and easier to handle for drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. With consistent point-scoring performances, including a podium finish for Hulkenberg, Sauber has transitioned from a struggling team to a credible midfield competitor.
Verdict: Sauber shows tangible progress as it prepares for its transformation under Audi.
Championship Position: 2nd | Points: 260
Ferrari entered the season with high expectations after a near-miss in the constructors' championship last year, but they have spectacularly failed to meet those expectations. With only five podium finishes and an unexpected win by Lewis Hamilton in the China sprint race, internal and external pressures have mounted. Changes to the car's design aimed at enhancing aerodynamic performance did not yield the desired results, leading to a lack of grip and downforce. Although recent upgrades have offered some improvement, Ferrari's struggles to maintain competitiveness have resulted in a painful season.
Verdict: Ferrari has fallen short in its bid for a title push, remaining winless when it mattered.
Championship Position: 10th | Points: 20
Alpine's promising pre-season quickly turned into disappointment, as they currently sit at the bottom of the standings. The team faces significant challenges, particularly with energy recovery issues from the Renault engine, which affects their setup and race pace. Despite having a decent chassis, the car struggles with traction and bumps, making it tough to achieve consistent top-10 finishes. The departure of team principal Oliver Oakes amidst these challenges adds to an already dismal season.
Verdict: Alpine's performance has been simply not good enough.
Championship Position: 8th | Points: 45
Racing Bulls have consistently led the midfield pack in 2025, boasting a car that provides drivers with confidence, albeit with less downforce than desired. Despite their potential, the team has struggled to convert that pace into points due to strategic errors and driver changes. Recent upgrades at the Belgian GP have shown promise, and there is potential for future improvements. With a capable car, Racing Bulls must enhance their race-weekend execution to capitalize on their speed.
Verdict: Racing Bulls have a decent car but need to improve their strike rate in races.
Championship Position: 3rd | Points: 236
Mercedes has faced two major challenges this season: temperature management and issues stemming from a rear suspension upgrade. Although the car showed competitive performance in Canada, reverting to the previous suspension setup provided clearer insights into its limitations. Despite some encouraging signs, Mercedes remains in a similar position as last year, able to challenge for victories but generally falling short against its rivals.
Verdict: Limited progress relative to competitors hampers Mercedes' season.
Championship Position: 6th | Points: 52
Aston Martin has had an inconsistent season, highlighted by varying performances across different tracks. Their struggles with aerodynamic efficiency were evident in Belgium, but a return to older specifications at the Hungaroring yielded better results. The team's ability to adapt has improved, allowing them to become competitive in the midfield once again.
Verdict: Aston Martin has made a solid recovery after a poor start to the season.
Championship Position: 5th | Points: 70
Williams has made significant strides this season, establishing itself firmly in the midfield and achieving multiple top-six finishes. Their performance, however, has fluctuated depending on track characteristics. An aerodynamic upgrade at Silverstone helped regain lost ground, but with a focus on 2026 regulations, further developments for the 2025 car have been limited. The team is prepared for a challenging second half of the season.
Verdict: A substantial step forward has been made, though a few missed opportunities remain.
Championship Position: 9th | Points: 35
Haas continues to be the smallest team in Formula 1, facing challenges regarding its performance potential. After a rocky start to the season, they managed to implement a hastily produced floor upgrade that significantly improved performance. The car has shown capability in the midfield, although points have been inconsistently earned. Recent enhancements have boosted performance, but the team has squandered opportunities to secure more points.
Verdict: Haas has demonstrated pace that is not always reflected in their results.
Championship Position: 1st | Points: 559
McLaren has had an outstanding season, winning 11 out of 14 races and establishing a commanding lead in the constructors' championship. The car excels in various conditions, particularly in medium-speed corners. Despite some concerns regarding the car's handling, both drivers continue to perform exceptionally well. The only criticism lies in the few missed victory opportunities, but overall, McLaren's dominance has been impressive.
Verdict: McLaren has had a remarkable year, showcasing its speed and reliability on track.
