Formula 1 drivers chase world titles and Constructors’ Championship points, but crashes rack up massive repair bills in this high-stakes sport. In the 2025 season, incidents during races, qualifying, and practice sessions led to varying damage costs for teams. Analysis of the year’s collisions reveals the drivers who incurred the highest expenses.
Lowest Damage Costs: Positions 21 to 11
| Position | Driver | Team | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | $450,000 |
| 20 | George Russell | Mercedes | $475,000 |
| 19 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | $692,000 |
| 18 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | $910,000 |
| 17 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | $927,000 |
| 16 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | $1,039,000 |
| 15 | Alexander Albon | Williams | $1,230,000 |
| 14 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | $1,327,000 |
| 13 | Carlos Sainz Jr. | Williams | $1,532,000 |
| 12 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | $1,650,000 |
| 11 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | $1,707,000 |
Top 10 Biggest Damage Bills
10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Red Bull)
Liam Lawson struggled in 2025, crashing out in his home race opener and finishing 12th in his final Red Bull outing before a demotion to Racing Bulls. First-lap collisions hit him in Mexico and Miami, plus another in the Miami Sprint. He also wrecked cars in free practice sessions two and three at Singapore.
9. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
Franco Colapinto triggered red flags three times in qualifying during 2025. A heavy Q1 crash halted Emilia-Romagna, a gravel spin stopped Silverstone, and another Q1 incident occurred in Azerbaijan. Inconsistency marked his season, though he starts 2026 with Alpine.
8. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
Isack Hadjar’s rookie year brought a 12th-place finish and a Dutch Grand Prix podium, but wet conditions proved challenging. He spun on the formation lap for a DNS in Australia and rear-ended Kimi Antonelli in rainy Silverstone. A Q1 crash at the United States Grand Prix also drew red flags.
7. Jack Doohan (Alpine)
Jack Doohan raced only six times before replacement, but incidents marred four events. A 331km/h FP2 crash in Japan destroyed his car and red-flagged the session. He failed to finish first laps in Australia and Miami, clashed in China’s Sprint and Grand Prix, earning penalties.
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
Oscar Piastri’s title bid faltered after Azerbaijan mishaps: a Q3 wall hit and lap-one lockup DNF, sparking an eight-race winless streak. Additional damage came from incidents in Australia and Qatar amid tight championship battles.
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Charles Leclerc joined the $2 million damage club with five major incidents. He aquaplaned on Miami Sprint formation lap, missing the grid. A Q3 crash in Baku preceded tangles with Kimi Antonelli in Netherlands and Brazil Grands Prix.
4. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
Lance Stroll avoided Grand Prix crashes but piled up damage elsewhere. A United States Sprint collision with Esteban Ocon earned a grid penalty. He crashed in Zandvoort FP2 and qualifying, Baku qualifying, Montreal and Monaco practice— the latter drawing ire for unsafe re-entry into Charles Leclerc.
3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
Lando Norris clinched the 2025 drivers’ title in Abu Dhabi despite pressure-fueled crashes. A Saudi Arabia Q3 spin cost pole potential. He collided with teammate Oscar Piastri in Canada and the United States Sprint opener, aiding Verstappen’s title chase.
2. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull stint featured standout crashes. A barrel-roll at Emilia-Romagna ranked among 2025’s worst. In Saudi Arabia, a pit-lane clash with Kimi Antonelli damaged his car before a lap-one DNF.
1. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto led with nearly $4 million in damages. Interlagos delivered the biggest hit: a 339km/h, 91G Sprint finale crash hospitalized him, requiring a full rebuild. The new car lasted four corners in the Grand Prix after contact with Lance Stroll. Four other retirements sealed his top spot.
