The first half of the Formula 1 season is now behind us, and both teams and drivers are enjoying their well-earned summer break. If you missed any of the action from the first 14 rounds, here’s a comprehensive mid-season roundup of everything that’s happened so far.
McLaren
McLaren have been consistently fighting at the front of the grid this season, with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri regularly challenging for podiums. The team has shown impressive pace and reliability, positioning themselves as strong contenders in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. So far, the lowest finishes for the drivers have been a DNF for Norris and a ninth-place finish for Piastri, highlighting their overall strong form in the first half of the year.
Ferrari
Ferrari’s season has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. At the start, both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggled with a car that lacked pace and a strategy team that frequently jumped from Plan A to Plan Z. However, things have improved in recent races. Leclerc has secured a few podium finishes, while Hamilton has been steadily fighting his way into the top ten, showing signs that Ferrari could still be a force in the second half of the season.
Mercedes
Mercedes began the season showing solid potential, consistently scoring points and demonstrating reliability across different circuits. However, once the European leg of the calendar began, both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell experienced inconsistency in qualifying, occasionally being knocked out in Q1 or Q2, though still managing to reach Q3 at times. Antonelli, in particular, has had difficulty scoring points at certain tracks but managed to claim a standout third-place finish, offering hope for stronger performances ahead.
Red Bull
Before the driver swap, Max Verstappen was consistently finishing inside the top ten. However, after the swap and Christian Horner’s departure, Verstappen appears to be struggling more than usual, just barely making it into the points. It raises the question: is Verstappen affected by Horner’s absence, or can new team principal Laurent Mekies help lift his performance in the second half of the season? On the other side of the garage, Yuki Tsunoda has had a tough run, often failing to make it out of Q1 or even starting from the pit lane due to car issues. He’s yet to consistently break into the top ten on race day.
Alpine
Alpine have had a difficult season so far, frequently failing to get out of Q1 in qualifying. After a driver change following round five, Franco Colapinto has found himself near the back of the grid in most races. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly has shown slight improvement, occasionally making it into Q2 and even Q3, but he hasn’t scored points in several rounds. The team clearly has work to do if they want to turn their season around.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin’s performance over the 14 races has been inconsistent. The drivers have alternated between failing to make it into Q3 and delivering solid qualifying performances. The Hungarian Grand Prix was a highlight, with both drivers making it into Q3 and maintaining top ten positions throughout the race. If they can find consistency, Aston Martin could become a serious midfield threat.
Haas
Haas have shown some signs of improvement over the course of the season but are still struggling to break into the top ten consistently. Both drivers have experienced a mix of DNFs and races where they either gained or lost multiple positions from where they started. While there are glimpses of potential, the team needs more stable race results to climb the Constructors’ standings.
Racing Bulls
Following their driver changes, the Racing Bulls have seen a noticeable boost in performance. They’ve been making it into Q2 and Q3 more regularly, and the team is starting to challenge for points. In Hungary, Liam Lawson even finished ahead of Verstappen, while Isak Hadjar has impressively reached Q3 in every race since joining. The momentum is shifting in their favor.
Sauber
Sauber have had a surprisingly strong season so far. Nico Hülkenberg delivered a standout performance by finishing third at the British Grand Prix, while rookie Gabriele Bortoleto is starting to find his rhythm, scoring points with a personal best finish of sixth place. The team is proving to be one of the season’s biggest surprises.
Williams
Williams have faced a streak of bad luck lately, with only one car usually managing to escape Q1 in qualifying. However, they’ve made up for it by scoring points with either one or both cars on race day. Their resilience has allowed them to stay competitive in the midfield, keeping them in contention for a solid finish in the Constructors’ Championship.
With the summer break wrapping up, the season continues with the return of the European leg of the calendar. First up: the Dutch Grand Prix, hosted at Max Verstappen’s home circuit in Zandvoort, taking place from August 29th to 31st. Expect the action to heat up as teams look to make their mark in the second half of the season.
Feature image credit: formula1.com
Written by Ellie.
Edited by Jessica.
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