Welcome to Prime Tire, the twice-weekly F1 newsletter from The Athletic. You can sign up here to receive Prime Tire directly in your inbox every Tuesday and Friday.
We’re back with Prime Tire, where we’re a bit hesitant to don those shiny Mercedes jackets for fear of attracting a crowd of magpies.
As we reach the conclusion of five races in the 2025 Formula One season, I’m Patrick, with Madeline Coleman joining shortly. Let’s get into it.
Your New Leader
Oscar Piastri Takes the Top Spot
A new face is leading the championship standings following his triumph at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this past weekend: Oscar Piastri.
You might ask, “So what?” Consider this:
- Piastri is the first Australian to top the world championship standings in 15 years, following Mark Webber.
- At just 24 years and 15 days, he’s the seventh-youngest driver to lead the championship standings.
- Among those younger than him are F1 legends like Max Verstappen, Kimi Räikkönen, and Fernando Alonso – a total of 25 world championships between them.
- With three wins this year alone, Piastri has achieved five victories in his first 51 races, overshadowing rivals like George Russell and Lando Norris.
While it’s early to deem Piastri an all-time great, the potential is certainly there.
Penny For His Thoughts
What Does It Mean to Be Lewis Hamilton?
Initially, I was going to craft a playful take on the unlikely series of events that would allow Lewis Hamilton to claw back from 68 points behind Piastri to clinch the title this season.
However, I’ve abandoned that idea – it’s clear Hamilton is unlikely to win the championship this year. Even his most ardent supporters must now recognize this fact given the points deficit.
More intriguing, though, is the mindset of a 40-year-old athlete facing the twilight of their career. Having narrowly missed out on his eighth title in 2021, Hamilton has shifted his focus toward achieving that goal before retirement.
Moving to what he believed was an improving team for his final few years, he now realizes that one of those seasons is already showing signs of being lost.
It raises questions about the psychology of a champion who now sees a younger teammate thriving while he struggles in a new environment. At one point, does an athlete begin to doubt their abilities?
Inside the Paddock with Madeline Coleman
Best British Driver Debate
We received a fascinating question from a reader: Who is currently the top British driver — Norris, Russell, or Hamilton? It’s a subjective question, depending on how you define “best today.”
In analyzing the last race, one could argue Russell was the standout British driver, having finished ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli and performed well relative to others.
However, when assessing the entire season independently of car performance, Russell further stands out against Norris, who has had some missteps. Despite Hamilton’s legendary status, today he isn’t showcasing the same level as Norris or Russell.
Controversy? (Not Really)
Dissecting the First-Lap Incident
Max Verstappen incurred a five-second penalty during the race for exceeding track limits while competing with Piastri for position at the first corner.
The stewards deemed Piastri had rightful claim to the corner. Red Bull and Verstappen disagreed, claiming he had nowhere to go, but the incident raised questions about the feasibility of racing closely in such tight quarters.
Outside the Points
Norris’s recovery from a qualifying crash showed resilience as he climbed from P10 to P4 post-race. Furthermore, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed they have not held discussions with Verstappen regarding a potential move for the 2026 season.
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(Photo credit: Giuseppe Cacace / AFP)
