Why “Worst Driver” Rankings Reveal More About F1’s Future Than You Think
Every season, the media loves to crown a “best” and a “worst” driver. While the 2025 awards highlighted Max Verstappen’s dominance, the debate over Alpine’s struggling lineup—Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, Jack Doohan and the displaced Yuki Tsunoda—uncovers emerging trends that will shape Formula 1 for years to come.
1️⃣ Data‑Driven Driver Evaluation Is Becoming the New Standard
Traditional scouting relied heavily on junior‑formula results and “gut feeling”. In 2025, teams leaned on telemetry, telemetry analytics, and AI‑powered performance models to decide who deserved a seat.
Did you know? Red Bull’s Racing Bulls program now uses a machine‑learning algorithm that predicts a driver’s adaptation curve to a new chassis with 94 % accuracy.
This shift means future “worst driver” lists may be less about blame and more about identifying which data points were misread.
2️⃣ The Car‑Dependency Factor: How “Bad Cars” Skew Perception
Alpine’s A525 was widely described as “awful”, yet Pierre Gasly still secured a top‑10 finish in the drivers’ championship. The contrast highlights a growing awareness that car‑dependency skews driver ratings.
Teams are now publishing technical performance deltas for each chassis, giving fans a transparent view of how much a car contributes to results. This data will make it harder to single out a driver when the machinery is the real issue.
3️⃣ Talent Pipelines: From Junior Series to F1 Seats
Franco Colapinto’s mid‑season promotion after six races exemplifies the increasing fluidity of driver pipelines. Younger talents are being fast‑tracked, but the pressure to deliver points immediately can be brutal.
Case study: Jenkins’ 2023 transition from FIA F2 champion to a full‑season F1 seat saw a 30 % points increase after a dedicated “car‑fit” simulator program.
The trend suggests that future “worst driver” narratives will consider the length and quality of a driver’s development program, not just raw season results.
4️⃣ Financial Backing vs Pure Merit: A Balancing Act
Alpine’s decision to retain Colapinto alongside Doohan was partly driven by “investment”. While funding still plays a role, the sport is moving toward merit‑first contracts.
External analysis from Sporting News predicts a 15 % decline in “pay‑driver” slots by 2030, as teams prioritize performance‑based clauses.
5️⃣ The Rise of Sim‑Based Training and Mental Coaching
Yuki Tsunoda’s struggle to adapt to the Red Bull RB21 sparked debate about mental resilience. In response, several teams have integrated sports psychologists and immersive sim training into their driver programs.
Pro tip: For aspiring drivers, mastering the next‑gen simulators can shave up to 0.3 seconds off lap times, a margin that often separates a points‑finisher from a back‑marker.
What’s Next for the “Worst Driver” Narrative?
- Transparent metrics: Expect teams to publish driver performance dashboards, reducing speculation.
- AI‑assisted coaching: Real‑time feedback loops will help drivers correct mistakes before they hit the track.
- Hybrid contracts: Salary structures tied to data‑driven benchmarks will become standard.
- Longer development arcs: Younger drivers will receive multi‑year contracts with clear progression milestones.
FAQ
- Q: Will “pay‑drivers” disappear from F1?
- A: Not entirely, but their numbers are expected to drop as teams prioritize performance clauses.
- Q: How can a driver improve his adaptation to a new car?
- A: Extensive simulator work, targeted mental coaching, and data‑focused debriefs are key.
- Q: Are “worst driver” lists useful?
- A: They highlight systemic issues—car performance, team strategy, and driver development—more than individual flaws.
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