Verstappen and Piastri: the class of the F1 grid in 2025

With Piastri and Norris locking out the front rows on a regular basis, the papaya team’s relentless qualifying pace has been a key pillar of their title charge.

After 14 rounds, the numbers show just how far ahead they are and how the rest of the grid stacks up.

Oscar Piastri - 2.14, the benchmark in terms of qualifying for the current F1 season so far.

Lando Norris - 3.29, close behind but with a few hits and misses to his name, with Saudi Arabia being his biggest blunder yet.

Max Verstappen - 3.50, carrying Red Bull’s Saturdays on his shoulders, as has been the case for several seasons now.

George Russell - 4.43, consistently getting Mercedes into fights they shouldn't be a part of.

Charles Leclerc - 5.14, up until Hungary it seemed as though his qualifying mojo had all but dissapeared.

Lewis Hamilton - 8.0, a significant fall for the driver with the most pole positions in the history of F1.

With McLaren’s drivers setting the benchmark, every qualifying session in the second half of 2025 will be a test of whether the chasing pack can close the gap.

Although with the teams' preparation for the upcoming 2026 regulations already in full swing, it's likely the Woking-based outfit will keep their Saturday supremacy intact until Abu Dhabi.