- Eight new driver pairings are spicing up intra-team rivalries in F1 2025.
- Lewis Hamilton wins his first Sprint race for Ferrari in China.
- Lando Norris currently leads the drivers’ championship with 26 points.
The 2025 Formula 1 season has kicked off with fierce internal competition, especially with eight fresh driver duos on the grid. Early qualifying head-to-heads saw veterans like Verstappen and Russell edging out their teammates. Meanwhile, rookies like Kimi Antonelli and Gabriel Bortoleto also made bold impressions.
China hosted the season’s first Sprint race, which saw Lewis Hamilton clinching his maiden Ferrari win. Piastri and Verstappen followed close behind. With two race weekends complete, Lando Norris leads the championship, followed by Verstappen and Russell.
Clash of Teammates: F1 2025 Intra-Team Scorecard After China Sprint
With new pairings across half the grid, the 2025 F1 season is putting teammate rivalries front and center. Whether it’s veterans clashing with fresh talent or evenly matched duos pushing each other to the edge, the early battles have been intense. Qualifying head-to-heads after Australia highlight dominant showings. Max Verstappen, George Russell, and Charles Leclerc have all impressed.
The Sprint race in China marked a turning point in the season’s momentum. Lewis Hamilton, now in Ferrari red, outpaced the field for his first victory with the Scuderia. This signaled he’s ready to contend despite early points setbacks. Oscar Piastri also made a statement by overtaking Verstappen in the final laps, showing McLaren’s race pace is real.
In the race standings, Norris, Verstappen, and Russell have shown early consistency. Kimi Antonelli has turned heads with 14 points already, putting pressure on Russell despite the qualifying loss. Meanwhile, Alex Albon has outperformed Carlos Sainz in both qualifying and race day, marking Williams as an underdog worth watching.
As the paddock looks ahead to the next Grand Prix, intra-team battles remain just as pivotal as overall championship standings. These duels will not only define careers but could also determine Constructors’ success. Teams may begin favoring one driver over another based on early-season form.
The F1 2025 season is shaping up to be a thrilling mix of individual brilliance and team rivalries. Every teammate duel adds another layer to the championship story.
“The first person you have to beat in Formula 1 is always your teammate.” – Nico Rosberg
