Seven different teams reach the podium in 2025 F1: a record under current rules. The 2025 Formula 1 season has already seen seven different teams on the podium.

A broader balance on the grid

The unexpected flop for McLaren in Baku, caused largely by disappointing performances from both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, opened the door to a surprise podium finish. With Ferrari also underperforming, Carlos Sainz seized the opportunity and delivered third place for Williams. The Spaniard, a former Ferrari driver, gave the Grove-based team its first top-three result since 2021.

Williams has now become the seventh different team to see at least one of its drivers stand on the podium during the 2025 Formula 1 season, which is also the final year under the current technical regulations. While McLaren has dominated the season overall, there has been clear convergence among the rest of the field. Behind the papaya cars, the gaps have narrowed significantly, allowing midfield outfits such as Racing Bulls, Williams, and Sauber to capitalize on chaotic races. This has been the case in Baku, but also earlier in Zandvoort and Silverstone, where the third step of the podium went to Isack Hadjar and Nico Hulkenberg respectively.

A classic “end of regulation” scenario

The last season in which at least seven teams managed to reach the podium was 2021, the final year of the previous regulation cycle. That campaign also saw a remarkable leveling of performance across the grid. During the season defined by the legendary Verstappen-Hamilton title fight, eight teams placed at least one driver inside the top three. It should be remembered, however, that George Russell’s second place for Williams in Belgium was effectively due to the race not being held on Sunday because of heavy rain.

With seven rounds still to go in the 2025 season, it remains to be seen whether the current field can match or even surpass the 2021 benchmark before the sport enters its next regulatory era.

Variety, but only on the podium

It is important to note that this variety is limited to the number of teams reaching the podium. When it comes to race winners, the number has never exceeded four during the current rule cycle. To find the last season where more than four teams took a victory, we have to go back to the extraordinary 2012 campaign – famous for having seven different winners in the opening seven races. That year, six teams managed to win a Grand Prix. It should also be pointed out that back then the grid featured 12 teams, compared to the 10 we have today.

This underlines how rare the current situation really is: while McLaren remains the dominant force, the fight behind them is closer than ever, offering smaller teams a chance to shine before Formula 1 embarks on a new technical chapter in 2026.