How F1’s mid-field battle has played out so far and what to expect
- Charlotte Mui
- Aug 28
- 7 min read
Written by Charlotte Mui, Edited by Meghana Sree
DIVEBOMB takes a look at how Formula One’s mid-field battle has unfolded over the first half of 2025, and how the remaining 10 races may shape up.
In Formula One, the mid-field battle often takes a backseat to the frontrunners, who vie for race wins and championship titles. However, in 2025, when the field is being dominated by one team, it’s the scrap for points just behind that’s providing a more competitive narrative.
In the mid-field, the margins are smaller and the rivalries are intense – from surprise podiums, mid-season driver swaps and outstanding rookie performances, the mid-field has become the true stage for unpredictability and excitement.
Williams
Though finishing ninth in 2024, Williams entered this season with renewed confidence, but also heavier expectations.
The signing of Carlos Sainz, a four-time Grand Prix winner, brought pedigree and balance to the team’s driver lineup, which they had been lacking for the past few seasons.
Paired with Alex Albon, an experienced driver who had scored almost all of the team’s points in 2024, Williams arguably fields the strongest driver lineup in the midfield. However, with that came the pressure of delivering a car that could showcase their potential.
The season opener looked promising. Although Sainz crashed out early on, Albon was able to capitalise on the chaotic nature of the race and finished a brilliant fifth, his highest finishing position since his time at Red Bull.
Their strong start to the season continued from there, with double-points finishes in China, Jeddah, Miami and Imola solidifying their status at the top of the mid-field.
Williams’ recent form, however, has been less convincing, raising questions about whether they will be able to keep their spot at fifth in the standings for the rest of the season.
Last time out in Hungary, Sainz and Albon finished 14th and 15th respectively. In Austria, they suffered a double DNF and were also unable to score any points in Spain. Although still hovering on the fringes of the points in most races, their competitiveness has noticeably dipped compared to earlier in the season.
With rival teams making visible strides in their car development, Williams may be looking over its shoulders for the rest of the season.
Aston Martin
Finishing best of the rest in 2024 by quite a large margin, the British team seemed to occupy an awkward spot: not quite as fast as the front-running teams, but well ahead of the midfield.
This has not been the case in 2025.
Their start to the season was slow at best. Although Lance Stroll put up a decent performance in Australia, finishing in sixth, the British team suffered a
point-less run of weekends between Japan all the way to Monaco, struggling to make any real impact in the races.
They found themselves behind Williams, Haas and Racing Bulls, teams they were well-ahead of last season.
Fortunately, things started looking up at the Spanish Grand Prix. Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso seemed to find his form just in time for his home race and secured his first points of the season.
Since then, Aston Martin has scored in every single race, save for Spa, and even secured a double-points finish in Hungary with fifth and seventh. Their recent turn of form has elevated them to sixth in the standings, 18 points behind Williams.
They will hope to carry this momentum into the final 10 races of the season. If their consistency continues, they look poised to reclaim their fifth-place finish from last year.
Sauber
Sauber suffered a poor start to the season, occupying the bottom spot of the championship for the first eight races. Their lack of pace was hardly surprising, given their last place finish in 2024 and the challenge of bedding in a brand new driver lineup.
On one side of the garage was Nico Hülkenberg, a veteran driver coming off a successful stint at Haas. On the other was Gabriel Bortoleto, a champion in Formula 2 and F3 whose arrival carried big expectations for the future.
Their season started to turn around in Spain when they brought their upgrade package.
From Barcelona forward, Sauber have scored in every Grand Prix. Hülkenberg finally captured his elusive first podium after a chaotic race in Silverstone, while Bortoleto broke his duck with points in Austria and further impressed with a sixth-place finish in Hungary.
Momentum and morale look high ahead of their transition into Audi next year. With Williams in a bit of a mid-season slump, and Aston Martin showing more pace but struggling to match the results from the past two years, Sauber’s steady improvements make them the standout team coming into the last 10 races.
Racing Bulls
Racing Bulls went into the summer break after a major change in team personnel, with their Team Principal, Laurent Mekies, heading to Red Bull. Additionally, their lineup of Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson is the greenest on the grid, with the former being a rookie and the latter still in his first full F1 season.
Despite the lack of experience in their camp, the Faenza-based team has been relatively consistent on track throughout the year. Hadjar, in particular, has been impressive, scoring points in a multitude of races ahead of much more senior drivers.
After facing much backlash for his crash in Australia, the Frenchman bounced back with strong performances in Japan, Jeddah, Imola and Monaco.
On the other side of the garage, Lawson’s season has been a bit more complicated. Trying his hand at the Red Bull car for the first two races, he struggled immensely and was quickly demoted to the junior team in a direct swap with Yuki Tsunoda. Disheartened, his first half of the season at Racing Bulls paled in comparison to his teammate, who was quickly becoming the standout rookie driver.
Recently, however, the New Zealand driver looks rejuvenated and his performance has reflected that. A strong sixth-place in Austria gave him confidence, leading to points finishes in both Belgium and Hungary. He now sits only two points behind his teammate, and will be looking to re-establish his reputation in F1 as a young and exciting talent.
Over the next 10 races, the battle within Racing Bulls is set to be fierce. Although the team sits only six points behind Sauber and seven behind Aston Martin, those teams look to be on an upward trajectory, while Racing Bulls seems to have plateaued.
And with the nature of the junior team being to promote fresh talent, it’s likely only one of the two drivers will remain next year. Rather than looking at the teams ahead, Lawson and Hadjar may find themselves in a fight against each other and racing to secure their own future.
Haas
Like Sauber, Haas came into the season sporting an all-new driver pairing. Esteban Ocon made the switch from Alpine bringing experience and race-winning pedigree, while rookie Ollie Bearman stepped up from F2 after an impressive junior career and a couple of substitute appearances in 2024.
The season began on a promising note, with both cars finishing in the points in the second round. Since then, however, Haas have struggled with inconsistency, often hovering around the edge of the top 10 but rarely able to capitalise.
Ocon has put in steady results when the car has allowed, delivering points in Monaco, Canada and Austria. Bearman has also shown flashes of speed, but has failed to finish in the points since the fourth round in Bahrain.
Looking ahead to the final 10 races, Haas’ priority will be scoring points more consistently and ensuring they stay clear of Alpine at the bottom of the table.
Sitting 10 points behind Racing Bulls, who generally have a stronger package, progressing upwards will be a tall order. The American team’s concerns will be less about topping the mid-field, and more about ensuring they don’t slip to last in the Constructors’ standings.
Alpine
Alpine’s season has been nothing short of disappointing, marred with controversial personnel swaps and an underperforming car. After finishing sixth in 2024, the French team should realistically be heading the midfield and striving to challenge the bigger teams.
Instead, they sit bottom of the championship standings with only 20 points to their name.
Pierre Gasly has been crucial to this team, scoring every one of those points. His superb performance at the British Grand Prix in treacherous conditions showcased his ability to shine even when driving arguably the slowest car on the grid.
Around him, however, the team has been plagued with inconsistencies. Alpine junior driver Jack Doohan started the season in the second seat, but was replaced by Argentine driver Franco Colapinto in Imola.
Neither have been able to match Gasly’s pace in qualifying or in the race, and both have suffered costly crashes that have only deepened Alpine’s struggles.
Moreover, Flavio Briatore’s role in the team has sparked numerous conversations. Originally returning in an advisory role, he replaced Oliver Oakes as Team Principal at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. His presence on the grid remains contentious, and so far, his impact on the team appears anything but positive.
The Enstone-based team will be hoping to rescue their disastrous season. Having never finished a season bottom of the standings, they will look to avoid this fate with stronger performances in the remaining 10 races. Currently, Alpine sit 15 points behind Haas — not an insurmountable margin, but a difficult one, especially given their current form.
They will need stronger on-track performances, especially from Colapinto if they hope to displace the American outfit.
What to expect
The 2025 midfield battle so far has been full of ups and downs. Williams still occupy the coveted fifth-place spot – should they hold onto it, the team would record their best finish since 2017.
Yet their lack of development has left the door wide open.
Aston Martin and Sauber loom close behind in sixth and seventh, both coming back from the break in stronger form.
Aston Martin’s resurgence and Sauber’s remarkable turnaround mean both teams will have their sights on fifth, setting the stage for a fascinating final 10 races. It will be intriguing to see whether the fight comes down to consistency, or a single brilliant performance.
Behind them, Racing Bulls remain within touching distance, though the real story may be their intra-team battle. Although harmonious so far, the Faenza squad rarely ever keeps the same driver lineup two years in a row. Their drivers will be aware of this, and will be looking to assert their worth within the team.
Further back, Haas and Alpine are scrapping to avoid the bottom of the Constructors’ standings. WIth just 15 points between them, one result, or one mistake could be the decisive factor.
As F1 resumes this Friday at the Dutch Grand Prix, drivers and teams will all be desperate to start strong. The high-speed banks of Zandvoort will provide ample challenges, particularly for the rookies who have less experience around the circuit.
With the season finale in Abu Dhabi nearing, every decision, mistake and rivalry will intensify. This final stretch promises tension, unpredictability, and plenty of mid-field drama.
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