F1 Driver Ratings: 70th Anniversary GP 2020

Mercedes were beaten for the first time in 2020 as Max Verstappen and Red Bull won the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton had to settle for second place equalling Michael Schumacher’s record for the most podiums in Formula 1. He had to fight back from early struggles against teammate Valtteri Bottas in a race all about tyres and strategy.

Bottas started from pole position but could only claim the third step of the podium.

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

2020 70th Anniversary Grand Prix – Silverstone

Max Verstappen: 9.5/10

Lewis Hamilton: 8/10

Valtteri Bottas: 8.5/10

Charles Leclerc: 9.5/10

Alexander Albon: 7/10

Lance Stroll: 7/10

Nico Hulkenberg: 8.5/10

Esteban Ocon: 7.5/10

Lando Norris: 7.5/10

Daniil Kvyat: 8/10

Pierre Gasly: 7/10

Sebastian Vettel: 2.5/10

Carlos Sainz: 7/10

Daniel Ricciardo: 5/10

Kimi Raikkonen: 8/10

Romain Grosjean: 7.5/10

Antonio Giovinazzi: 5/10

George Russell: 6/10

Nicholas Latifi: 6.5/10

RETIRED

Kevin Magnussen: 4.5/10

There were two clear-cut standout performances at the weekend, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen and Red Bull executed a wonderful strategy to perfection. The way Verstappen has now got on top of understanding the Pirelli tyres is fascinating considering how good Hamilton is with tyre management.

Anyone doubts that Verstappen does not have it to fight for a title has gone and he has arguably been the driver of the season so far.

Both Red Bull drivers looked more comfortable which bodes well but Verstappen is driving like a champion, very smart and sublime pace. How many drivers could have won in that car on Sunday?

Leclerc was phenomenal once again too. Similarly to last week’s British GP he was fantastic with his tyres and he was wheel to wheel with Hamilton towards the end of the race. Remarkable.

There are parallels to what Fernando Alonso did at Ferrari with Leclerc, putting the car in a position it probably shouldn’t be in with masterful drives.

If there was a weakness of Leclerc it was his tyre management but this year he has turned it around to get the most out of the car.

The same can’t be said about his teammate unfortunately. Sebastian Vettel, what can you say. Unable to get into Q3 and another spin at the first turn.

He was given an awful strategy it must be said with Ferrari basically making Vettel pit despite only doing a dozen laps on the hard tyre. The reason was so that Vettel would not hold up Leclerc, Ferrari clearly not trusting that Vettel would listen to team orders.

I question if Vettel will see out the season at Ferrari, his relationship with them is broken to say the least. Yes, Ferrari should not have given Vettel a poor strategy but it was ultimately Vettel who put himself in that position with his strange spin.

It is similar to Canada 2019 when Vettel was given an arguably harsh penalty which cost him the race win, but it was his mistake that put him in that position.

Anyone who is old enough to remember Damon Hill and his last season in F1 might think that Vettel is going through a similar situation. Vettel is fed up, he is not enjoying himself and the lows are just getting lower.