F1 Driver Ratings: Great Britain 2019

Lewis Hamilton took a record-breaking sixth British Grand Prix win as he led a seventh Mercedes 1-2 in 2019. Valtteri Bottas suffered some misfortune with a poorly timed safety car for the Finnish driver.

Charles Leclerc salvaged another podium after a hard fought battle with Max Verstappen. Verstappen was hit by Sebastian Vettel going into Club and finished behind teammate Pierre Gasly whilst Vettel scored no points and received a 10 second time penalty for his mistake.

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

2019 British Grand Prix – Silverstone

Lewis Hamilton: 8.5/10

Valtteri Bottas: 8/10

Charles Leclerc: 8.5/10

Pierre Gasly: 7/10

Max Verstappen: 8/10

Carlos Sainz: 8/10

Daniel Ricciardo: 9/10

Kimi Raikkonen: 8.5/10

Daniil Kvyat: 7.5/10

Nico Hulkenberg: 7/10

Lando Norris: 8/10

Alexander Albon: 8/10

Lance Stroll: 5/10

George Russell: 7/10

Robert Kubica: 5.5/10

Sebastian Vettel: 2.5/10

Sergio Perez: 6.5/10

Retired

Antonio Giovinazzi: 6/10

Romain Grosjean: 4.5/10

Kevin Magnussen: 4/10

Unusually, it’s not a Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull driver receiving the highest ratings. This week I have given Daniel Ricciardo the highest rating with a 9/10. It was a great qualifying effort from the Australian, taking ‘best of the rest’.

In the race, he was one of the drivers who suffered from the safety car yet he clawed his way back. Renault have still not moved away from the rest of the midfield teams and qualifying and racecraft is so important in the midfield to stay out of trouble and to score points. Ricciardo has definitely settled in and his driving is showcasing that.

No surprise to see Sebastian Vettel take the lowest rating and I have punished him hard with a rating of 2.5 because he was nowhere in qualifying and made a stupid, clumsy move which ended his hopes of a podium finish. 

The pressure on Vettel is immense and it could be getting to him. He has the huge amount of pressure from Ferrari, his image against Hamilton, his reputation of having four world championships and the fear of losing to a driver in his second season in Formula One.

At the moment, he is not driving like a four-time world champion. His mistake on Sunday almost seemed desperate as he tried to outfox Verstappen but there was never a gap on the inside and he should have played things much safer. Leclerc and Verstappen managed to avoid a serious incident yet Vettel made big contact.

I question of Ferrari still have faith in Vettel? Will they lean to Leclerc? Will Vettel stay with Ferrari or even leave the sport? It is tough times for Vettel to say the least and lets not forget he has not won for 11 months now.