How the 2025 Formula 1 campaign has unfolded so far

We dissect the current Formula 1 standings, storylines to follow and what's in store next, from session schedules to circuit quirks and on- and off-track soap operas.

If you'd told us at the start of the year that McLaren would be the dominant ones, Red Bull pushing back and Zandvoort continuing to serve up fireworks, they'd probably nod, if begrudgingly. Now we're a few Grands Prix down the line, though, and the picture is anything but settled. The F1 championship battle is tightening by the week, title hopes are being reignited and there's fresh drama every weekend.

In this write-up I’ll walk through what’s happened so far: Who leads, who’s chasing and where the momentum might swing. I’ll also drop a little mention of a comprehensive online platform dedicated to sports betting and casino gaming, because yes, for some fans that’s part of how they follow and engage with race weekends. That platform provides anything from the latest sports event coverage, betting advice, casino bonuses, and even an 'Academy' section packed with information. And sure enough, amongst all that is commentary on the the Dutch F1 Grand Prix of Zandvoort, which naturally is a major highlight in its own right.

Currently, Oscar Piastri leads the F1 drivers' standings with 324 points, followed closely by his teammate Lando Norris at 299. McLaren's consistency this year has been key: Podiums aplenty, not a lot of DNFs and often matched or bettered pace against Red Bull and Mercedes in most conditions.

But leading doesn't equate to coasting. Their advantage is under strain. Max Verstappen, even in third place with 255 points, has indicated that he's by no means out of the battle. Red Bull's strategy was straightforward: Pressure, win races and chip away at McLaren's cushion. After consecutive recent wins (at Monza and Baku), Verstappen's deficit to Piastri has narrowed. He now trails by 69 points, which still sounds like a great deal, but with multiple races remaining (and sprint variants on the horizon), it's within reach.

Then there's the larger midfield rebuild to keep an eye on. George Russell in Mercedes is fourth with 212 points, and Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and others are fighting behind them.

Max has been playing a game of diplomacy for the last few weeks. He's been publicly saying he has "nothing to lose" and puts his title hopes at "50-50" in a good-humored but serious mood. He's not ruling out the difference is significant, but he knows well enough how quickly fortunes can change in F1.

All the same, he does need McLaren to slip up and his team to deliver weekends of near-perfect brilliance. His present form has been a decent response: victories, dominant qualifying and fewer mistakes. However, McLaren have been more consistent. If either of the McLaren drivers does something silly on strategy, reliability, or racing, Verstappen would take advantage.

Back to Circuit Zandvoort, where the Dutch F1 Grand Prix of Zandvoort yielded one of the more dramatic episodes of the year. The sea of orange fans, the high banking, the quirks of the circuit, it all added up to drama and spectacle. Piastri won that one, capturing a home-stretch victory over Verstappen.

Verstappen's home fans were hoping for a victory, but this time the Aussie was unbreakable and added another solid finish to his resume. That demonstrated that when the pressure's on, McLaren can get the job done. That weekend did more than reward Piastri; it sent a message. Verstappen's comeback is real, but he can't just call dibs on dominance yet.

Back-to-back wins for Verstappen in Monza and Baku shifted the momentum slightly in his favor, cutting the McLaren advantage. The Singapore Grand Prix is yet another test: Street circuit, heat, pressure, potential mistakes. Teams are already looking at the challenge.

Off the track, there's a rumor. Life after Red Bull for Christian Horner is making waves. He's been in talks with over one F1 team for roles. And Williams boss James Vowles has proposed a bold idea: Condensing Grand Prix weekends into two days (goodbye, Friday practice) to free up space on the calendar.

Each weekend has produced its own spin, whether it's a surprise podium finish, an engine blow-up, a cheeky overtake or well-timed gamble.

One thing every fan tracks closely: F1 standings start times. Because F1 is global, sessions hit weird hours depending on your region. Race day usually sees on-track action mid to late afternoon local time, but practice and qualifying might be early morning or late evening, depending on time zones. Fans often check official F1 schedules or streaming platforms to catch FP1, FP2, qualifying, sprint (if held) and the Grand Prix itself.

And for those of you who like to place wagers on the theatrics: The site I've already spoken of (that provides sports event news headlines, betting tips, casino promotions and an Academy page) also provides customized previews for each Grand Prix weekend.

In its preview piece, it breaks down the Dutch F1 Grand Prix at Zandvoort, breaking down practice pace, places to overtake, tire racing strategy and driver performance. Its advice typically hinges on impending F1 start times, conditions and track types; issues which influence odds. It's become a favorite hangout place for those who would rather be a little more serious (or maybe guess) about F1 weekends.