From Melbourne to Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 moved fast through the 2025 season, but some moments deserved to linger. So our talented on-site photographer, XPB’s Laurent Charniaux, picked 12 images from the 2025 season that froze the speed, the light and the emotion – telling the story of the year one frame at a time.
Lewis Hamilton: Australian GP – Albert Park
Lewis Hamilton’s very first Grand Prix weekend as a Ferrari driver. The Brit was the attraction in Melbourne, drawing eyes everywhere he went — and increasingly dodging lenses along the way. Catching a clean portrait of Lewis has become a challenge, but sometimes patience pays off. Late in the day, wandering the pitlane, everything aligned: the right place, the right moment, and a touch of magical light.
Lewis Hamilton: Chinese GP – Shanghai Circuit
Another Hamilton pic, if you don't mind. Fresh from claiming sprint pole — a sprint he would go on to win — Lewis soaks in the moment. The emotion is tangible, and at that point, many believed his first Ferrari Grand Prix win was just around the corner. History would have other ideas. I love this image: we don’t see his face, but his tattooed hand says it all. The light does the rest.
Liam Lawson: Bahrain GP – Sakhir
Liam Lawson in action during free practice in Sakhir. Shot from the circuit’s control tower overlooking pit entry, with tree leaves in the foreground turning golden as the sun drops. A slow shutter speed enhances the sensation of speed, turning a practice lap into something far more cinematic.
Christian Horner: Miami GP – Miami International Autodrome
Christian Horner, long seen as an untouchable figure at Red Bull, photographed on the grid in Miami — just months before his departure. One of my final portraits of him in this role. The extremely shallow depth of field strips everything back, giving the image its quiet strength.
Yuki Tsunoda: Emilia Romagna GP – Imola
During qualifying, Yuki Tsunoda suffered a heavy crash that brought out the red flag. A striking play of light illuminates the flag and Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull while the rest of the frame falls into shadow. Photography, at its core, is about shaping light — and this moment delivered.
Lando Norris: Monaco GP – Principauté de Monaco
Lando Norris on his way to his maiden Monaco Grand Prix win. I’ve always loved the tunnel at Monaco — and here, the tunnel light perfectly mirrors the papaya tones of the McLaren. Sometimes, the circuit does half the composition work for you. Well spotted indeed.
Fernando Alonso: Spanish GP – Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona
Fernando Alonso during a pit stop at his home Grand Prix. A classic pitlane shot — and technically one of the hardest to execute. Everything works here thanks to Fernando’s vividly coloured helmet, perfectly sharp and floating within Aston Martin’s racing green.
Nico Hülkenberg: British GP – Silverstone
After 238 starts in F1, Nico Hülkenberg finally stood on the podium. At Silverstone, in classic mixed conditions, he delivered the drive of his life. A lucky bracelet, gifted by a fan that morning, is tied by a mechanic to Nico’s champagne bottle in front of his Sauber C45. I waited for the inevitable post-podium celebration — and it was worth it.
Oscar Piastri: Hungarian GP – Hungaroring
Late in the race, Oscar Piastri was faster than Lando Norris — but overtaking at the Hungaroring is never easy. With just a few laps to go, Oscar launched an attack that could have ended badly. The two McLarens narrowly avoided contact. Reading the race and anticipating the moment is everything when capturing shots like this.
Carlos Sainz: Azerbaijan GP – Baku
In Azerbaijan, Carlos Sainz secured his first podium with Williams. A superb qualifying performance earned him third on the grid, and here he is seen passing Gabriel Bortoleto. Baku is a dream for photographers — a unique blend of modern and historic architecture, with sections that are both impossibly tight and deceptively wide. Trackside here is always special.
Max Verstappen: United States GP – Circuit of the Americas
I snapped this while Max Verstappen was leaving parc fermé after another dominant weekend — Grand Prix winner, sprint winner, and closing in on the McLarens. His white racing shoes, marked with the number 1, stand out against the darkness of the FIA garage during scrutineering. Sometimes, champions announce themselves in the smallest details.
Carlos Sainz: Qatar GP – Lusail Circuit
Carlos Sainz’s Williams at full attack under the lights in Lusail. I love photographing Formula 1 cars at night — especially on fast, colourful circuits like this. The composition, combined with a very slow shutter speed, gives the image a unique character. One of my favourite shots of the entire season.
If you wish to enjoy a broader glance at Laurent Charniaux's work, follow him on Instagram here.
