Kimi Antonelli Leads the Pack Among F1 Drivers Who Switched Teams in 2025
As the 2025 Formula 1 season heads into its middle stages, Kimi Antonelli currently leads the unofficial “championship” of drivers who changed teams during the winter break. The young Mercedes rookie has impressed by collecting 48 points in the opening six rounds, showcasing remarkable consistency that puts him ahead of several high-profile names in the paddock.
Antonelli, who made headlines in Miami by becoming the youngest polesitter in F1 history during the Sprint, has become almost synonymous with sixth-place finishes—landing in that position in three-quarters of his Grands Prix so far. Behind him in this performance leaderboard is Lewis Hamilton, whose transition to Ferrari has been less than seamless. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has scored more than a third of his total points in Sprint races, with a standout win in China and a third-place finish in the Miami Sprint. However, Lewis Hamilton has only managed to score double-digit points on a Sunday once this season.
Esteban Ocon emerges as the strongest performer from the midfield contingent, accumulating 14 points with consistent showings. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz appears to be finding his rhythm at Williams, though he trails teammate Alex Albon by 23 points—a significant gap that underscores the challenge of adapting to a new team environment.
Nico Hulkenberg delivered a rare moment of celebration for Sauber with his seventh-place finish in Australia, which may end up being the team’s only score of the campaign. His teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto, remains the only newcomer yet to break into the top 10. Fellow rookies Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar, however, have already opened their accounts and shown promising signs.
Christian Danner Believes Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Move Is Falling Apart
Former F1 driver and current pundit Christian Danner has weighed in on the early-season performances, offering candid insights during an interview with sport.de. Reflecting on the state of play after six races, Danner highlighted Hamilton’s underwhelming adaptation to life at Ferrari, describing the Briton as a “disappointment”—albeit a logical one, given the circumstances.
According to Danner, Lewis Hamilton may have joined Ferrari under the assumption that he would quickly assert dominance over Charles Leclerc and usher in a new era of success at Maranello. With Ferrari’s last drivers’ championship dating back to 2007 and their last constructors’ title coming in 2008, the pressure to deliver results is enormous. However, the anticipated resurgence has not materialized. Despite finishing just 14 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ standings last year, Ferrari have regressed notably in 2025, and Charles Leclerc appears to be handling the transition more adeptly. He has outqualified his Maranello teammate five times to one and leads him 5-0 in classified race finishes.
Lewis Hamilton has openly struggled to adapt to the SF-25, frequently voicing frustrations over team radio. During multiple sessions—such as free practice in Australia, the Miami Sprint, and the Bahrain Grand Prix—he reported severe handling issues, often citing problems with turning the car effectively.
Danner suggested that Hamilton likely envisioned himself as the catalyst for Ferrari’s return to glory, expecting to outshine his teammate and reestablish himself as the team’s central figure. Instead, the journey has been anything but smooth, with setbacks continuing to mount and confidence clearly lacking.
Lewis Hamilton’s Declining Form Reflected in F1 25 Video Game Ratings
Hamilton’s difficulties on the track have also been reflected in the virtual world. In the F1 25 video game, the British driver has been assigned a performance rating of 89 out of 100—placing him only sixth among current grid competitors. George Russell has argued that Lewis Hamilton deserved a better score, but unless his results dramatically improve, the number is more likely to decrease in future updates.
Although the seven-time Formula 1 world champion may not place much importance on his video game rating—despite his role as an EA Sports ambassador—it mirrors a broader narrative of diminishing form. A particularly worrying development is his recent struggle in wet-weather conditions, an area where he was once considered peerless. Known for mastering changeable tracks, Lewis Hamilton now seems to lack the confidence that previously gave him an edge.
In Australia, he appeared average on intermediate tyres, and in the Miami Grand Prix, his race only turned around when the track dried out enough to make his slick-tyre gamble work. For a driver who once thrived on feedback and track feel, the disconnect with the SF-25 remains glaring.
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