‘Amazing’ and ‘Incredibly Encouraging’:

Rating George and Kimi’s 2025

George – ‘A reliable and rapid benchmark’

“It’s been an amazing season for George, comfortably his most impressive in F1 so far” said team representative Bradley Lord, appearing on the latest edition of our Akkodis Abu Dhabi Race Debrief.

Who could argue with that?

P4 in the championship, his equal-best result after 2022, two wins, two poles, and seven further podiums. When there was chance to capitalise in 2025, George was there.

“The highlights were those two wins [in Canada and Singapore] he was able to secure,” added Lord.

“They were both done is very dominant and composed fashion, and that really sets him up for a really strong and impressive 2026.”

Perhaps the biggest standout from George’s season wasn’t the number of podiums on the mantlepiece or points on the tally, but his continued growth within the garage trackside and the factory in Brackley.

“He really stepped into the leadership role within the team,” said Lord.

“He provided a reliable and rapid benchmark for us in car development, but then also for Kimi in his driving and learning as well.”

Kimi – Building an ‘Encouraging Foundation’

Kimi had already written himself into record books when he became the third youngest driver ever to start an F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne, but the following 23 race weekends would show the Italian is in this sport for much more than that.

As of December 2025, Kimi is currently the youngest to lead a lap, set a fastest lap, and take a pole of any kind in our sport’s history.

Add to that the highest-scoring rookie using the current points system and two more Grands Prix podiums and it is clear the future is bright for the young racer from Bologna.

“Kimi’s season has been incredibly encouraging,” Lord told our race debrief.

“The fact he was able to work his way out of the dip that he and the team experienced in the summer was incredibly important.

“But to then show, particularly in Brazil and Vegas, the speed and consistency we know he has in the race, and then to hold off Max in Brazil and Leclerc and Piastri in Vegas, these were drives of maturity that belied his years.

“They also show the potential of what is to come.

“He had two frustrating Grands Prix to finish the year, both caught in dirty air and unable to make headway he would have wanted to,” said Lord.

“I think, though, when he sits back and reflects, he’ll find loads of points that he wants to improve, but also a really encouraging foundation for 2026.”

Watch our 2025 Abu Dhabi Akkodis Race Debrief in full on our YouTube and social channels.