F1 Driver Ratings: Belgium 2020

Lewis Hamilton took his fifth win of the 2020 Formula 1 season with a relatively unchallenged drive on Sunday.

Teammate Valtteri Bottas had his chances at the start and the safety car restart but had to settle for second.

It was a familiar podium with Max Verstappen in third and the top three remained in their positions for the entirety of the grand prix.

Renault had a fantastic day to claim fourth and fifth as the battle behind Mercedes and Red Bull heats up.

2020 Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps

Lewis Hamilton: 9.5/10

Valtteri Bottas: 6.5/10

Max Verstappen: 9/10

Daniel Ricciardo: 9.5/10

Esteban Ocon: 8/10

Alexander Albon: 7/10

Lando Norris: 7.5/10

Pierre Gasly: 8.5/10

Lance Stroll: 7/10

Sergio Perez: 8/10

Daniil Kvyat: 7/10

Kimi Raikkonen: 8.5/10

Sebastian Vettel: 7.5/10

Charles Leclerc: 8/10

Romain Grosjean: 6.5/10

Nicholas Latifi: 6/10

Kevin Magnussen: 5.5/10

RETIRED

Antonio Giovinazzi: 4/10

George Russell: 7/10

Carlos Sainz: N/A

Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo both had a brilliant weekend at Spa. Hamilton was on top form in qualifying and controlled the race perfectly.

Hamilton knew teammate Bottas would be a threat on lap one down the Kemmel Straight so he smartly lifted a little down to Eau Rouge, forcing Bottas to lift to give himself a buffer after Raidillon.

Ricciardo was outstanding all weekend as he adapted to Renault’s decision to go for a low downforce setup. Had Pierre Gasly and Sergio Perez not been between him and Verstappen on the safety car restart, it could have even been a podium for the Australian.

The fastest lap of the race on the final lap was described as “scary” from Ricciardo and it came from nowhere. A great result and the best thing is Monza is just five days away and Renault could threaten the podium places once again.

It was a weekend to forget for Antonio Giovinazzi who was off the pace compared to Kimi Raikkonen. A tank slapper in the middle of the Faagnes Chicane caught him out as he hit the wall hard.

An unusual place on the track to make a mistake and it was reminiscent of the crashes Giovinazzi had in China in 2017. This season was pivotal for Giobinazzi’s career and so far it has not gone well and he is under big pressure to stay on the grid for 2021.