The Red Flags Podcast Guenther Steiner’s 2025 End-of-Year F1 Driver Rankings!
Jan 1, 2026
Guenther Steiner, the outspoken Formula 1 team principal, joins Matt and Brian to unveil his bold 2025 driver rankings. He controversially ranks Yuki Tsunoda a surprising C and drops Lewis Hamilton to B, citing struggling performance. Guenther highlights impressive rookie performances, giving Isaac Hadjar an A- and elevating Oli Behrman to a B+. He places Max Verstappen in the coveted S tier for his championship win, while Charles Leclerc earns an A for consistency. The dynamic discussion is filled with laughter and hot takes, making for an entertaining analysis of the season.
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Rookies Must Sustain Performance
- Guenther gives rookie standout Isaac Hadjar an A- and urges him to maintain that level next year.
- He implies rookies must sustain performance to earn top-tier status.
Consistency Beats Hype
- Guenther kept Fernando Alonso at B- noting consistent delivery despite limited car performance.
- He emphasizes steady results over age or hype when grading veterans.
Second-Half Recovery Counts
- Guenther promotes Carlos Sainz to A- for delivering expected podiums after a settling-in period.
- He balances early adaptation issues against second-half performance improvements.