F1 Driver Ratings: Azerbaijan 2019

Valtteri Bottas led a 4th consecutive Mercedes 1-2 to start the season, a record in Formula One history. Teammate, Lewis Hamilton came a closer second with Sebastian Vettel unable to mount a challenge on either Mercedes car.

Max Verstappen showed signs of pace but never really looked like he was going to get on the podium. The top four cars remained in the same position they qualified.

As always, the order below is the finishing order of the Grand Prix.

2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit

Valtteri Bottas: 9/10

Lewis Hamilton: 8/10

Sebastian Vettel: 8/10

Max Verstappen: 9/10

Charles Leclerc: 5/10

Sergio Perez: 10/10

Carlos Sainz: 8/10

Lando Norris: 8/10

Lance Stroll: 6.5/10

Kimi Raikkonen: 8/10

Alexander Albon: 6/10

Antonio Giovinazzi: 7/10

Kevin Magnussen: 7/10

Nico Hulkenberg: 6/10

George Russell: 7.5/10

Robert Kubica: 5.5/10

RETIRED

Pierre Gasly: 7.5/10

Romain Grosjean: 6/10

Daniil Kvyat: 7/10

Daniel Ricciardo: 4/10

For a second race in a row, Sergio Perez takes the highest rating. This time I have given him the perfect 10/10 for an outstanding weekend. Perez is incredible around the streets of Baku, having taken podiums in 2016 and 2018 with Force India and now taking 6th (best of the rest). He is so good on his tyres and the pace he kept throughout the race was simply excellent. The Mexican also started in 5th and considering teammate, Lance Stroll, qualified in 16th it just shows that Perez is getting everything out of that Racing Point and these results will be vital in the midfield battle.

Daniel Ricciardo takes the lowest rating – mainly due to his silly incident when he reversed into Daniil Kvyat, ending his own race and Kvyat’s race early. Not only, did he make this mistake but to get into that situation, it was Ricciardo unusually outbraking himself into turn three that caused that situation.

Ricciardo received a 3-grid place penalty for the next race in Spain which I think slightly lenient. He did not look in his mirrors, did not join the track safely and he will be embarrassed personally as well. Not looking in his mirrors is quite shocking to be honest and a grid penalty if fully deserved – maybe a 5 or even a 10 could be justified. It was a weekend to forget for Ricciardo and Renault.