Ranking 2025 F1 driver duo: Hamilton and Leclerc are not the strongest duo

The 2025 F1 season is just a few months away, and we know the driver lineup for this year. First and foremost, we will see Lewis Hamilton in new colours this year as he will drive for Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc. Then we have Carlos Sainz drive for the Williams F1 team. Has F1 will have a new driver lineup with Ocon and Bearman this year.

Doohan will drive for Alpine, Sauber will have a new driver pair of Hulkenberg and Bortoleto, and Red Bull pairs Liam Lawson with Max Verstappen. In contrast, their junior team has Isack Hadjar as Lawson’s replacement, and Mercedes will have Kimi Antonelli in place of Hamilton. McLaren and Aston Martin are the only teams that didn't shake their lineup. Let's rank the strongest driver pair this year, and that’s not Ferrari as everybody thinks.

From Weakest to the Strongest

10. Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

The French team has the weakest driver pair this year, and we are not considering the driver's ability and skills. They have the slowest engine on the grid, as they couldn't find any progress over the last few years, so they are scrapping their engine programme this year. We don't have big expectations from the team and the drivers, but they could surprise us like last year they did in Brazil. Jack Doohan is under more pressure than Pierre Gasly and could mount on him heavily.

9. Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)

Audi has paired F2 champion Bortoleto with the experienced Nico Hulkenberg, who performed exceptionally well last year at Haas. Though the driver lineup looks very promising, they are not the strongest as Sauber is struggling to find momentum. They are the weakest team in the 2024 season, and we don't find much hope left in them this year.

8. Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar (RB Bulls)

The RB Bulls promoted F2 runner Iscak Hadjar into the team in place of Liam Lawson, a decision that was widely appreciated by many. Yuki Tsundoa, having raced for the team since the 2021 season, can guide the young rookie into Formula 1. But the RB Bulls machine is not as dominant as Red Bull, so the pair could only bring points occasionally during the season.

7. Esteban Ocon and Olliver Bearman (Has F1)

Haas was very impressive last year, and we expect them to continue the same this season with their new driver pair of Esteban Ocon and Olliver Bearman. The team structure is also precise, as each person knows their role well. But do they have a stronger car? That’s the question. Under the safe hands of Ayao Komatsu, the team will show progress.

6. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

The two Aston Martin drivers could not push the team above 5th place in the constructors championship in the last couple of years. Fernando Alonso is the top performer, while Stroll is out of form. The addition of Adrian Newey as a managing technical partner could boost confidence, but we still find them to be weak in some way.

Also read: It's Official! Lewis Hamilton joins Ferrari: A New Era Begins with Big Challenges

5. Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon (Williams F1)

The Spaniard's entry into the team has made them the fifth-strongest pair this year. They have been struggling last year with added weight, and Carlos Sainz could help them find a solution, having driven for Ferrari in the last couple of years. Albon was also the top performer last year, so the two look promising.

4. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

The British driver Russell will be the lead man, and the Italian Kimi Antonelli is in his rookie year. But with the package they have, they could have nightmares of their rivals. The team’s performance depends on Kimi Antonelli’s driving, and if he shines, then Mercedes will be in a good position by the end of this year.

Also Read: Top 10 Biggest news that shook the Formula 1 world in 2024 season

3. Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

The Austrian team paired Max Verstappen with another driver who had the same kind of aggression and attitude as him. Liam Lawson wants to prove himself before all his critics that he really deserved the Red Bull seat over Yuki Tsunoda. And Max will look to continue his same form and win the F1 title for the fifth time.

2. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

Everyone thought Ferrari was the strongest pair, but we say the other way. They are the strongest but not the best on the grid. The 7-time world champion will be driving a Ferrari for the first time, so we expect him to take some more time to gel with the team like Leclerc and then show progress. We also predict Leclerc to dominate Lewis this year.

Also Read: Top 10 Darkest moments to forget from the 2024 F1 season: Max vs George to sexual scandal

1. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

The McLaren duo Oscar and Lando are the strongest pair this season, and both are the best at delivering consistency and pace. That's the big reason we have chosen them as the best pair this year. We expect the pair to dominate the grid like last year, and we see Lando and Oscar fight for the driver's title in 2025.

Also Read: Top 10 Prediction of everything you need to know in F1 2025: From New title winner to best driver