Following Sir Lewis Hamilton’s dramatic win at the Belgian Grand Prix, Formula 1 is now on holiday for a month as drivers and teams enjoy the summer break.
Until the last few races, Max Verstappen looked certain to win a fourth-straight championship, but with Red Bull’s dominance no more he’s having to keep an eye on Lando Norris in his rear view mirrors.
With the next grand prix in the Netherlands several weeks away, it’s the perfect time to rate all 21 drivers to have raced in the opening 14 rounds of 2024:
- 10 = Perfection
- 9 = Outstanding
- 8 = Great
- 7 = Good
- 6 = Decent
- 5 = Acceptable
- 4 = Underwhelming
- 3 = Poor
- 2 = Very Poor
- 1 = Back to Formula 2
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 9/10
Having won half the races so far this year and boasting a 78 point lead in the standings, it’d be unfair to give Verstappen anything less than an ‘outstanding’ rating.
That being said, high-profile errors in Austria and Hungary, not to mention his sweary outburst after the latter, have taken the shine off his season. The title should be his but he’s got some work to do after the break.
Lando Norris (McLaren) – 8/10
After 110 races, Norris finally took his first F1 victory in Miami and has driven superbly throughout the season, with McLaren finally back in championship contention.
However, the Brit could have several wins to his name, missing opportunities in Imola, Canada, Spain, Austria, Silverstone and Hungary. He’s got much to learn, but the 24-year-old is on the right path to become a champion.
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 7/10
Ferrari appeared to be Red Bull’s closest challengers at the start of the season, with Charles Leclerc claiming an emotional victory at his home race in Monaco.
But following that, their pace has fallen off, with Leclerc scoring points in just three of the six races since as the Scuderia now look to hold off Mercedes for third in the standings.
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 7/10
A maiden F1 win in Hungary was overshadowed by a row over Norris and team orders, but that can’t take away from Oscar Piastri’s excellent performances.
It’s amazing to think it’s only the Aussie’s second season in the sport, with McLaren now arguably boasting the best driver line-up on the grid.
Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – 7/10
Carlos Sainz knew this would be his final season with Ferrari before it even began after they signed Hamilton to replace him, but thanks to some terrific drives he’s had teams clamouring to get his signature.
A great win in Australia has been the highlight, and the Spaniard could have been ahead of his teammate had he not missed Saudi Arabia through appendicitis.
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 7/10
Some thought it may never happen again, but in front of his adoring fans Hamilton ended his win-less run at the British Grand Prix, with Mercedes looking competitive for the first time since the new regulations were brought in.
The first eight races were a nightmare for the Silver Arrows, with Hamilton clearly ready to move onto Ferrari, but the seven-time champ looks reinvigorated now, claiming his 105th victory in Belgium.
Sergio Perez (Red Bull) – 5/10
Four podiums in the first five races appeared to convince Red Bull to extend Sergio Perez’s contract after his difficulties last season.
But ever since his new deal was confirmed, the Mexican’s form in qualifying and the race has been terrible – 27 points in the last eight races – and if reports are to be believed Christian Horner could well U-turn on his driver’s future.
George Russell (Mercedes) – 7/10
Some would say his win in Austria was lucky, but George Russell was in the right place at the right time and had fortune been on his side more he could have won in Canada and Silverstone after taking pole.
An unfortunate disqualification in Belgium cost him another win, but nevertheless the Brit has shown improvement from last year and looks more and more ready to lead his team when Hamilton departs.
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 6/10
A big drop off in performance from Aston Martin this season but their drivers haven’t looked too shabby at all. Fernando Alonso has aired his frustrations recently but having signed a new contract he’s clearly confident things will turnaround.
Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 6/10
Fans like to give Lance Stroll stick and while he has scored less than half the points of Alonso, his performances have been more consistent than in the past.
Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) – 7/10
Undoubtedly the best of the non-frontrunners, Nico Hulkenberg has silenced his doubters by dragging his Haas into points contention nearly every weekend, with back-to-back P6s in Austria and Silverstone the highlight. He might be regretting signing up for Sauber for 2025 and beyond.
Yuki Tsunoda (RB) – 6/10
This is no doubt Yuki Tsunoda’s best season in F1 so far, but the jury’s out on whether he’s good enough to be promoted to Red Bull. At the very least, he’s locked in at RB until next season.
Daniel Ricciardo (RB) – 5/10
Struggling to keep up with Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo’s plan to replace Perez looks to be in tatters. With Liam Lawson waiting in the wings, the Aussie needs a strong second-half to the season to save his career.
Ollie Bearman (Ferrari) – 8/10
Despite competing in just one race – stepping in for the unwell Sainz in Saudi Arabia – Ollie Bearman is still ahead of seven other drivers in the standings. An eye-catching drive in Jeddah helped earn the teenager a spot at Haas for 2025.
Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 5/10
Alpine’s fall from grace hasn’t been easy to watch and one can’t really blame it on Pierre Gasly who has been solid behind the wheel.
Kevin Magnussen (Haas) – 5/10
Kevin Magnussen has been solid as well but his performances pale in comparison to Hulkenberg’s. Having lost his seat, this looks likely to be the Dane’s last year in the sport.
Esteban Ocon (Alpine) – 5/10
A bad crash with Gasly in Monaco will unfortunately define Esteban Ocon’s season but that aside the Frenchman has been fine. Looks to have secured a good move to Haas for 2025.
Alex Albon (Williams) – 5/10
Williams haven’t cracked on as expected so one can forgive Albon for not being able to get the eye-catching results of last year. May he be regretting signing a new deal with the team?
Zhou Guanyu (Sauber) – 4/10
Sauber are the only team yet to score points in 2024. You can’t cut their drivers too much slack however as they’ve shown little to nothing so far to convince the incoming Audi project to retain them. Zhou Guanyu is very likely to be left behind.
Logan Sargeant (Williams) – 4/10
Improved from last season but not by much, Logan Sargeant desperately needs points to save his F1 career, unless it’s too late already.
Valtteri Bottas (Sauber) – 4/10
Thanks to his past exploits with Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas has been linked with a lifeline move to Williams but last in the standings for the Finn is not a good look.
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