Story byMotorsport photoMotorsport StaffSat, December 27, 2025 at 11:32 AM UTC·5 min readEvery year Formula 1 always delivers plenty of drama and 2025 was no different with a title fight that went down to the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Lando Norris ultimately prevailed in a three-way fight against McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s four-time world champion Max Verstappen. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut it wasn’t just about what happened at the front, as there was drama throughout the grid. So, here are our writers' favourite storylines of the 2025 F1 campaign. Nico Hulkenberg does the unexpected - Jake Boxall-LeggeNico Hulkenberg, SauberNico Hulkenberg, SauberFrom a feel-good point of view, it has to be the conclusion to the 15-year-long quest that Nico Hulkenberg endured to finally reach the F1 podium. Hulkenberg's skill and talent had never been in doubt during that time, but it appeared that his time had come and gone; opportunities with Force India went begging, his Renault career petered out as the team began to find form vaguely resembling competitiveness, and his F1 career looked as though it was over before being called upon to replace Racing Point's COVID-sidelined drivers in 2020. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEven when Hulkenberg came back to F1, his emergence at Haas had never looked like a podium combination - and given Sauber's form in 2024, perhaps even less so when he rejoined the Swiss outfit for this season ahead of its Audi transition. Read Also: F1 2025 recap: Nico Hulkenberg breaks podium duck in top feel-good moment When it was arguably least expected, Hulkenberg's long-awaited visit to the rostrum emerged like a rainbow in the wake of the dismal conditions at Silverstone. The crucial part was holding Lewis Hamilton off with weary intermediates, forcing the world champion to stop too early for the dry tyres. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut if we're extending it to all sports, then I'm picking Valentin Vacherot's Shanghai Masters win.