Karun Chandhok reveals his ultimate current Formula 1 dream team
Sky Sports pundit and former Formula 1 driver Karun Chandhok has weighed in on one of the toughest questions facing the modern F1 grid: if he were a team principal, which two current drivers would he select for his ultimate dream team. With the current Formula 1 season featuring just 20 drivers, the performance gaps between competitors are arguably narrower than ever, making such a decision increasingly complex.
The 2025 season has highlighted the remarkable closeness of the grid. For instance, during Q1 at the Italian Grand Prix, last-place qualifier Liam Lawson was less than eight-tenths of a second slower than the fastest driver, George Russell. This underlines how even small margins in car performance and driver execution can dramatically alter the pecking order. Frequently, qualifying sessions have featured top 10 shootouts that include drivers from seven or more different teams, demonstrating the highly competitive nature of the current Formula 1 championship.
At the top of the drivers’ standings, Oscar Piastri currently leads McLaren teammate Lando Norris. Despite a challenging Azerbaijan Grand Prix where Piastri failed to capitalize on opportunities, Norris was unable to take advantage, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured consecutive victories for the first time this season. Verstappen remains one of only three world champions currently on the grid, alongside Fernando Alonso, who is still searching for his first win in over a decade, and Lewis Hamilton, who has faced a difficult adaptation period in his debut season with Ferrari.
Chandhok’s dream team selection: Verstappen and Piastri
When asked in a recent Reddit AMA to choose his ideal current F1 pairing, Chandhok opted to leave Hamilton out in favor of Oscar Piastri, pairing the young Australian with Max Verstappen. He also indicated that he would combine this driver lineup with a McLaren-Mercedes power unit, highlighting his preference for a mix of emerging talent and proven championship-winning experience.
Chandhok’s choice of Piastri and Verstappen reflects a focus on both raw skill and consistency. Piastri has impressed this season, building a 25-point lead over his more experienced teammate Lando Norris despite having fewer seasons in Formula 1. Although Piastri’s recent form has dipped slightly compared to Norris, with Norris outperforming him at Monza and in Baku qualifying, the Australian’s composure and racecraft remain highly regarded. His ability to remain calm under pressure has marked him as one of the brightest young talents on the grid.
Max Verstappen, on the other hand, has demonstrated his unmatched ability to extract peak performance from a Red Bull car that has often lagged behind the competitiveness of McLaren’s MCL39. Verstappen’s victories at Suzuka and Imola, and his recent back-to-back wins with an upgraded Red Bull, have reinforced his position as a key contender in the 2025 drivers’ championship, keeping him firmly in the title conversation despite the car’s limitations.
McLaren’s strategy and Piastri’s championship prospects
Despite Max Verstappen’s dominance, McLaren is unlikely to prioritize Oscar Piastri over Lando Norris at this stage. Even if Verstappen were to win every remaining race of the season, it would not be enough to surpass Oscar Piastri in the standings unless the Australian consistently finishes no lower than third in the final sprint races. Another victory for Verstappen in Singapore, however, could increase pressure on McLaren team principal Andrea Stella to make strategic adjustments to support Piastri.
The Dutchman’s experience gives him an edge in high-pressure situations, having previously battled Lewis Hamilton in one of the most intense championship campaigns in recent history. Piastri, a back-to-back F3 and F2 champion, is still relatively new to Formula 1 but has already shown remarkable maturity and race intelligence. The Baku Grand Prix served as a reminder that, despite his calm and composed demeanor, Piastri is still vulnerable to the challenges of a highly competitive grid.
Chandhok’s selection of Verstappen and Piastri arguably represents the optimal combination of experience and emerging talent available on the 2025 Formula 1 grid. Nevertheless, other top drivers, including Lando Norris, George Russell, and Charles Leclerc, continue to assert themselves, ensuring that the debate over the ultimate dream team remains open and highly engaging for Formula 1 fans worldwide.
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