F1 Driver Ratings: Japan 2019

Valtteri Bottas won for the first time since April with a scintillating performance throughout the weekend.

Lewis Hamilton could only finish third but a 1-3 for Mercedes was good enough to give them a sixth consecutive constructors’ title whilst the drivers’ championship will definitely go to a Mercedes driver.

Sebastian Vettel was very lucky to get away with a jump start but managed to hold off Hamilton to take second place.

Alexander Albon took his best ever result in Formula One with a commendable fourth position whilst Carlos Sainz shone again.

As per usual, the order below is the finishing order of the race.

2019 Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka Circuit

Valtteri Bottas: 9/10

Sebastian Vettel: 8/10

Lewis Hamilton: 8/10

Alexander Albon: 7.5/10

Carlos Sainz: 9/10

Daniel Ricciardo: 7.5/10

Charles Leclerc: 4/10

Pierre Gasly: 9/10

Sergio Perez: 7/10

Nico Hulkenberg: 8/10

Lance Stroll: 6.5/10

Daniil Kvyat: 6/10

Lando Norris: 7/10

Kimi Raikkonen: 5.5/10

Romain Grosjean: 6/10

Antonio Giovinazzi: 5/10

Kevin Magnussen: 4.5/10

George Russell: 5.5/10

Robert Kubica: 3/10

RETIRED

Max Verstappen: 6.5/10

No driver really stood out to me. Valtteri Bottas drove very well but did lack pace during his last stint and I do question whether he would have been able to reel in Lewis Hamilton, had Hamilton not pitted for a second time.

Carlos Sainz was strong once again but I am begining to wonder if that is what we should expect, is the McLaren much better than most think, and is ‘best of the rest’ a minimum for him. It is so hard to tell if Sainz is extracting the maximum, results-wise he definitely is but nobody knows the ultimate pace of the McLaren.

Charles Leclerc gets a low rating due to being outqualified and for his error on the opening lap. I am surprised Leclerc has not made more mistakes this season and our expectations of him have grown rapidly in the last few months.