Does F1 Have a Personality Problem?

Formula 1 (F1), the pinnacle of motorsport, has long been associated with high-stakes drama, fierce rivalries, and personalities that transcend the track. Yet, halfway through the 2025 season, many fans are starting to feel a lack of excitement, a flatness that contrasts sharply with the close points battle at the top. With drivers like Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris locked in a title fight, you’d expect the tension to be palpable. However, instead of fiery exchanges and intense rivalries, it all feels rather subdued. In fact, it feels almost too calm, too respectful. Is this the result of a shift in the sport’s culture, or is F1 simply grappling with a “personality problem”?

The Quiet Strength of Piastri

Oscar Piastri is undeniably quick. His performance on track this season has been impressive—consistent, composed, and seemingly inevitable. Yet, off the track, Piastri is the epitome of reserved. He doesn’t speak much, often downplaying his achievements with a calm nod or a brief “thank you” to the team after a race win. Even when Norris stumbles, Piastri doesn’t engage in mind games or try to push any psychological advantage. Instead, he remains calm, almost robotic, stating that he takes it “one race at a time.”

While some may admire this steady demeanor, it doesn’t build the kind of drama and tension fans crave. Piastri’s personality doesn’t fuel the rivalry fans expect from two teammates fighting for a championship. A key component of any great title fight is emotion—the fire, the passion, the sense that both drivers are not just racing against each other, but pushing themselves beyond their limits. But when Piastri speaks, it doesn’t ignite any sense of rivalry or urgency. There’s no palpable hunger or desire to outshine his teammate. This is where F1 begins to lose some of its spark.

Lando Norris: The Self-Critical Challenger

Lando Norris, by contrast, does show emotion, but it’s often self-critical and negative. Even when he wins, Norris seems unwilling to enjoy the moment, brushing off praise and, at times, undermining his own accomplishments. He openly expresses his dissatisfaction with himself, which is admirable in terms of humility, but it also sends the wrong message. A driver vying for a title has to show that they not only want to win but are actively fighting for it, not downplaying their chances.

While Norris’ self-reflection is authentic, it undermines his image as a fierce competitor. If you constantly insist you’re not the best while trying to be the best, the message becomes muddled. Fans, teams, and rivals all need to see a driver who exudes confidence, someone who believes in their ability to win and is ready to take on all comers. Instead, Norris’ reluctance to embrace his greatness creates an aura of hesitation rather than ambition.

A Title Fight That Feels Like a Teammate Friendship

What makes the situation even more perplexing is the fact that Piastri and Norris aren’t just championship contenders—they’re teammates. In theory, this should add layers of tension, as both are fighting not just for the title but also for supremacy within McLaren. Historically, teammate rivalries have produced some of F1’s most explosive moments—think of Senna and Prost, or Hamilton and Rosberg. Yet, when Piastri and Norris take to the track, it feels like they’re working together rather than against each other.

In their interviews, they compliment each other and avoid creating any public friction. The team, seemingly content with this calm atmosphere, plays the role of peacekeeper. This lack of tension and rivalry between teammates results in a story that feels flat. It’s like watching two colleagues in an office calmly finish their work without any drama. Sure, it’s impressive in its own way, but it’s not the kind of spectacle F1 fans have come to expect.

The Shift in F1’s Culture

What’s going wrong here? It seems the sport’s culture has shifted over the years. In the past, F1 was a fierce battleground where drivers didn’t hesitate to show their aggression, both on and off the track. Rivalries were raw and unsanitized. You had Jean Todt and Ron Dennis, both of whom were not afraid to make headlines with their tough, no-nonsense approach to racing. The sport thrived on competition, not just on track but in the press and behind the scenes.

However, today’s F1 has become much more polished. Teams, drivers, and even sponsors seem increasingly focused on managing their image. They prioritize optics, PR, and brand deals over raw, unfiltered competition. The drivers may be incredibly talented, but the storylines aren’t as compelling. Instead of rivals challenging each other with sharp words and even sharper on-track moves, you now see driver pairs sharing planes after races, or teammates publicly praising each other for their performance. The line between fierce competitors and close friends has blurred, and it’s this lack of edge that makes the sport feel less intense.

Even among fans, there’s been a shift in what’s considered entertaining. Newer fans are often more interested in “wholesome moments” and Instagram posts than the cutthroat racing that used to define the sport. Rivalries that once defined F1 are now seen by some as “petty,” with any genuine conflict being labeled as “toxic.” This shift in fan expectations plays into the broader trend of sanitizing the sport for mass appeal, making everything a bit too “nice” and safe.

The Missing Spark of Real Rivalry

The result is that F1 has become less about raw, unfiltered competition and more about brand management. Look at how drivers interact now: Alonzo praising Verstappen as a “fan” or the ongoing “best friends” narrative between Norris and Sainz. It’s as if the sport is afraid of real competition, afraid of what might happen if two drivers go head-to-head with no holds barred.

This has led to a scenario where even the most thrilling title fights lack the drama and intensity that made F1 great. The 2021 season, with its chaotic, fiery Hamilton vs. Verstappen rivalry, was a case study in what F1 can do when there’s tension, drama, and emotion at play. The on-track battles were intense, and the off-track sparring kept fans on edge. That’s what made it electric. Fans were fully engaged, picking sides, and arguing over every race. It felt like a battle for supremacy, and the stakes were sky-high.

In contrast, the current title fight between Piastri and Norris feels almost mundane. There’s no real off-track drama. No psychological warfare. No compelling storylines. Instead, it’s a well-mannered race between two friends, and while that might be fine for some, it doesn’t have the same energy that previous rivalries brought to the table.

The Future of F1

F1 has become a sport that prioritizes safety, politeness, and brand-friendly optics over fierce competition and personality. Drivers are media-trained to death, and team principals are more concerned about maintaining good relations than stirring up controversy. Even if the racing on track is as close as ever, it no longer feels like a battle between personalities—just a contest of speed and strategy.

There’s hope that, once the current crop of drivers like Hamilton, Alonzo, and Verstappen move on, the next generation will bring back the fire that’s been missing. However, as of now, the younger drivers haven’t yet shown the kind of fiery personalities that could reignite the sport’s passion. F1’s current state might be highly marketable, but it lacks the authenticity and rawness that once made it irresistible.

In conclusion, Formula 1 does have a personality problem. The sport has evolved into a polished, brand-centric spectacle, but it’s missing the edge that once made it captivating. To reignite the excitement, F1 needs its drivers to take risks, show more emotion, and build real rivalries. Only then can the sport recapture the magic that once made it more than just a race—it made it a story worth following.

Full Video: