Follow us on Google Discover Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has given his verdict on the best-performing drivers of the current Formula 1 campaign, leaving one name out that may come as a surprise to some.
With the 2025 F1 season now in its final quarter, many members of the F1 paddock, as well as fans watching at home, have given their verdict on several different topics regarding performances throughout the current term.
For example, Martin Brundle believes George Russell is the most underrated driver on the grid, highlighting his impressive performances that have often left him in the best of the rest category behind Max Verstappen and the front-running duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
F1 fans believe Isack Hadjar has been the most impressive man to take to the track, even before he secured his maiden podium at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Hadjar has had an incredible debut year in the sport, with it looking likely that he will be the man to partner Verstappen at Red Bull following the conclusion of his rookie season.
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Jolyon Palmer and ex-Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley name their top three F1 drivers of 2025
In a recent episode of the F1 Nation podcast, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and journalist Tom Clarkson were joined by the ex-Ferrari race engineer for Felipe Massa between 2006 and 2013, Rob Smedley.
Clarkson asked the two former staples of the pit lane which of the 20 drivers on the grid they think have been the most impressive in the current campaign, to which Palmer answered first with, “Verstappen, Russell, Piastri, for me.”
Smedley countered with, “Max, of course. Oscar and… Hadjar,” much to the dismay of Palmer, who believes Russell’s 2025 performances have cemented him as one of the best drivers in the pinnacle of single-seater racing.
Described by Mercedes chiefs as ‘perfect’, Russell could be the best driver on the F1 grid without a title to his name, something that he is hoping to rectify with F1’s new regulations next season.
Clarkson then offered his own verdict, to which he said, “I actually would go the same as you, Jolyon. I think Russell has been right up there.”
Interestingly, all three snubbed the second-place man in the championship and the winner of five Grands Prix this year in McLaren’s Norris.
Jolyon Palmer explains why Lando Norris hasn’t been one of his top-three F1 drivers in 2025
The competition is a relatively tough crowd to beat, in his own opinion, Norris believes Verstappen is ‘probably’ the best F1 driver ever.
The two rivals have raced against each other since childhood, with the Dutchman eventually entering the premier category four years earlier than 25-year-old Norris.
Clarkson pointed out the ‘interesting’ fact that no one opted for Norris in their verdicts, to which Palmer replied, “I just think the job of Verstappen and Russell, you can see that they’ve been demolishing their teammates, which makes you have to think that they’re getting the most from the car.
Photo by Mark Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
“And you can’t really see any errors from them. And you actually can, from Lando, some from Oscar, as well, obviously, Baku.
“Obviously, I think they’re right up there as well, and they’re in a title fight, but the others just look like they’re so well-rounded. I know they’ve obviously got inferior machinery.”
Verstappen has entered himself into the championship fight in recent races, winning in Monza and Baku, as well as fending off the advances from Norris to finish ahead of both McLarens in Singapore.
The Dutchman could find himself with a fifth consecutive title in Abu Dhabi if he manages to continue outscoring his papaya-adorned rivals.