The Best 10 Under 25 Drivers of 2025 (So Far)

Now that we’re halfway through the year, I wanted to put together my list of the best 10 drivers under the age of 25. I based this on how they’re performing against expectations and how they’ve looked all year long. FYI this list is for drivers who were 25 or younger on January 1st.

This wasn’t an easy list to make. A lot of drivers just missed the cut, so I’ll give a quick shoutout to some honorable mentions: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (18), Jesse Love (20), Marcus Armstrong (24), and Fermín Aldeguer (20).

10. Corey Heim (23)

Starting off the list is Corey Heim, who’s been dominating the Truck Series this year. It’s honestly gotten to the point where he could’ve won nearly every race if not for a little bad luck or some chaos around him. He’s also done some Cup and Xfinity with ok showings, but it’s a small sample size. That, combined with the limited depth in Trucks, is why I’m keeping him at 10. Still, he’s on the doorstep of a full-time Cup opportunity, and if he keeps this up, it’ll be impossible to overlook him in 2026.

9. Phil Hanson (26) / Yifei Ye (25)

I’m grouping these two teammates together. These two are coming off a win at Le Mans and are right in the thick of the WEC championship fight. They’ve both taken massive steps forward in the World Endurance Championship, and that win at Le Mans the biggest race of their careers so far, and it proved they belong at the top level. Spa wasn’t their best weekend, but I’m not going to hold one off weekend against them when the highs have been so high. They’re second in points and look poised to push in the second half of the year.

8. Matthew Payne (22)

Payne was in my list at the end of last hear for the best up and coming drivers. This year, Matthew Payne has fully arrived. He’s sitting third in the championship and has clearly taken the reins as the team leader at Grove Racing. His pace has been strong, he’s been smart in wheel-to-wheel battles, and he’s starting to consistently show podium potential. The growth from year one to now has been impressive, and he’s still got a lot of ceiling left. With Broc Feeney making headlines, Payne is making sure his name stays in the conversation too.

7. Christian Lundgaard (23)

Some people called Lundgaard an F1 reject. But thankfully he’s found a home in IndyCar, and this season he’s been one of the most consistent drivers. Currently sitting fifth in the championship, he’s been delivering strong runs and getting podiums. The confidence is there, the chemistry with the team is solid, and you can tell he’s comfortable now. He even seems happier off-track, and I think that’s fueling his performance on it. He could be a real title threat next season or two.

6. Pedro Acosta (21)

Pedro Acosta is doing exactly what I expected in MotoGP pushing way beyond his experience. He’s the top KTM rider and sitting comfortably in the top five of the championship. If KTM can fix their issues, Acosta would be right in the title fight. He’s smooth, aggressive when he needs to be, and brings a smart approach to every weekend. The kid just doesn’t seem fazed by anything. He’s still learning, sure, but everything points to him being a future world champion. And honestly, that future might not be very far away.

5. Isack Hadjar (20)

Hadjar is quietly becoming one of the breakout stars of 2025. After low expectations in the winter, this season has been different. In F1 he’s looked confident and composed. He’s still outperforming expectations and been dogwalking to his current teammate Liam Lawson in my opinion. He’s been consistent, fast, and mentally sharp, and that’s what sets him apart this year. If Red Bull reshuffles the deck again, Hadjar’s name might be at the top of their call list. But after seeing what happened to Yuki it might be a good call to stay home.

4. Connor Zilisch (18)

Before you NASCAR fans get the pitchforks out just remember what you tell your F1 cousins when it comes to watching different series. Connor Zilisch might not have the full Xfinity season under his belt just yet, but the flashes of brilliance are impossible to ignore. As he improves his racing IQ, and improving speed on ovals but at such a young age, you can just tell he’s different. People want to rush him to Cup next year, but I think letting him bake a bit longer could turn him into something really special. He still makes mistakes from tie to time in practice and needs to figure when to push and when to ride around but he is on a great path. If he grabs a few more Xfinity wins on ovals and continues to grow, we could be watching the next face of NASCAR and American motorsport before our eyes.

3. Pato O’Ward (26)

Pato is one of the most interesting cases on this list. Whether it’s fans begging for him to get the Cadillac F1 seat or him going head-to-head with Alex Palou, he’s proven he isn’t slowing down. He’s currently the lead McLaren Indy driver and sits 3rd in the IndyCar championship. Like Lundgaard, he’s pushing hard for to get wins but has stacked up podiums along the way. He’s chasing down Kirkwood and pressuring Palou, it’s been fun to watch.

2. Broc Feeney (22)

If you’re not watching Supercars, start. Please I beg. Broc Feeney is putting on a clinic. This year has been all him. He’s leading the championship by a healthy margin, has wins across a variety of tracks, and swept Darwin weekend with pole, fastest lap, and for all three race wins. That’s not just good….. that’s elite. He’s carrying the Red Bull Ampol torch with maturity well beyond his age. Many already want to see him in NASCAR, GT series, or even open wheeled stuff. He’s ready for the next challenge whenever it comes. but what is guaranteed he will win multiple Supercars Championships and will be on of the faces of Australian motorsport for a long time.

1. Oscar Piastri (24)

Oscar Piastri is the best under-25 driver in the world right now. He’s leading the Formula 1 World Championship in just his third season, going head-to-head with the likes of Verstappen, Norris, and Leclerc every weekend. What stands out most is his calm demeanor. He doesn’t get rattled. He just shows up and races all with the same emotion and tone of voice no matter what happens. In my opinion he may have Lando rattled and is making him second think who runs that McLaren team. If Piastri can hold on and win this championship, we’re looking at the start of a new F1 era led by the quietest killer on the grid. He’s a silent assassin