Daniel Ricciardo
The Australian known as the 'Honey Badger' built a reputation as one of the most exciting and formidable overtakers on the grid. During his time at Red Bull Racing, he claimed seven victories, often in cars that were not the outright fastest. His most impressive
season came in 2014 when, as a newcomer to the team, he comprehensively outperformed his teammate, the reigning four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, securing three wins. A famous victory in Monaco in 2018, where he nursed a stricken car to the finish line, cemented his legacy. Subsequent career moves to Renault and McLaren yielded less consistent results, though he did secure a memorable win for McLaren at Monza in 2021. Though his F1 career concluded after the 2024 season, his peak performances mark him as a driver who could have challenged for a title in the right machinery.
Charles Leclerc
Often hailed as one of the fastest drivers over a single lap, Charles Leclerc has been the face of Ferrari's championship hopes since joining in 2019. The Monegasque driver has an impressive tally of pole positions and has secured nine Grand Prix victories. His career is a story of immense speed and breathtaking qualifying laps, but it has also been marked by misfortune, strategic errors from his team, and occasional driver mistakes under pressure. He finished runner-up in the championship in 2022, his strongest season to date, but was unable to maintain a challenge against a dominant Max Verstappen. A landmark victory at his home race, the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, was a career highlight for a driver many still believe is a future world champion.
Carlos Sainz
Intelligent, consistent, and incredibly resilient, Carlos Sainz has earned respect across the paddock for his adaptability and strong race craft. He has driven for five different teams, scoring podiums with McLaren, Ferrari, and Williams. His career is highlighted by four Grand Prix wins, including a maiden victory for Ferrari at the 2022 British Grand Prix and a memorable win at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix just weeks after undergoing surgery. In 2023, he was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race, a testament to his ability to seize opportunities. After moving to Williams in 2025, Sainz continued to demonstrate his class, securing two podiums for the team in his first season and single-handedly lifting them to fifth in the Constructors' Championship. His journey showcases a driver who consistently extracts the maximum from his car.
Valtteri Bottas
For five seasons, Valtteri Bottas occupied one of the most coveted and high-pressure seats in F1 alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. During this period, he was instrumental in securing five consecutive Constructors' Championships. The Finn claimed 10 race wins, 20 pole positions, and 67 podiums over his career. He twice finished as the championship runner-up, in 2019 and 2020, proving himself to be a formidable competitor, especially on Saturdays. While he struggled to mount a season-long title challenge against his legendary teammate, Bottas's best days, such as his dominant win at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix, showed a driver capable of beating anyone on the grid. He now brings his extensive experience to the new Cadillac F1 project.
Sergio Pérez
A master of tyre management and a specialist at street circuits, Sergio 'Checo' Pérez took the long road to a top team. After a decade in the midfield, where he scored multiple podiums for teams like Sauber and Force India, he got his big break with Red Bull Racing in 2021. Pérez has secured six Grand Prix victories, including iconic wins in Monaco and Singapore. His most successful season was in 2023 when he finished runner-up in the World Drivers' Championship behind his teammate Max Verstappen. While often playing a supporting role, Pérez has been crucial to Red Bull's Constructors' title wins. His maiden victory at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, where he came from last on the first lap, perfectly encapsulates the tenacity that has defined his career.
