Team ratings for Azerbaijan GP | Four fails, Red Bull not highest

Ferrari - 9.0

Charles Leclerc qualified on pole position twice, a handsome performance from the Monegasque. And from Ferrari! The Italian racetrack had its worst start to the season since 2009, but the signs of recovery are there. That Leclerc had to let go of the Red Bulls in Sunday's race was no surprise. For a moment, Leclerc's podium finish was under pressure when Fernando Alonso came storming in, but the SF23 was good (enough) in Baku. Carlos Sainz could not hold his own last weekend, but for that, the Spaniard also put his hand in his pocket.

Red Bull Racing - 8.0

Another one-two for Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, the third already of the season. Leclerc was soon forced to capitulate and so it was an easy Sunday for Red Bull. Still, there was the strategic lapse by bringing Verstappen in under yellow, when just moments later the safety car came onto the track. Moreover, Red Bull was trounced in two qualifying sessions, so it was not a perfect weekend for the Austrians.

Aston Martin - 7.5

No podium finish for Aston Martin for the first time in 2023. Fernando Alonso finished fourth and looking at where the British racing stable is coming from, fourth place is fine. Still, the AMR23 was less competitive than in previous Grands Prix. Problems with the DRS haunted the team in Baku and on the straight Alonso and Lance Stroll came up pretty short anyway. Stroll came no further than seventh place, although he still kept George Russell below him.

AlphaTauri - 7.5

AlphaTauri was in reasonable shape in Azerbaijan. In qualifying, Yuki Tsunoda finished eighth and eventually managed to take home a point (his second of the season). The AT04 seems to have improved as they came from far away. Too bad Nyck de Vries had a dramatic weekend, but Tsunoda showed there is potential in the car.

McLaren - 6.5

McLaren is fighting alongside Alpine for fifth place in the constructors' championship. The Woking-based formation managed to surprise in the past, but now Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are mainly driving their laps in midfield. There were ninth place and two points for Norris, maximised you might say. Still, the gap with the 'four top teams' is too big.

Williams - 6.0

Williams competes reasonably in the midfield, but points did not earn the team any. Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant were also unable to break through in qualifying. There is (still) work to be done for the last-place constructor.

Mercedes - 5.0

A failing for Mercedes after P6 for Lewis Hamilton and P8 for George Russell. It may also be where Toto Wolff's formation belongs at the moment, but the team did not make an especially strong impression in Baku. That Russell was eliminated in Q2 is of course painful.

Haas F1 - 4.0

An anonymous race from the men of Haas F1. Kevin Magnussen finished 13th, while Nico Hulkenberg crossed the finish line 17th. It's just not good enough at the American racetrack. Sometimes in qualifying it is still willing, but in the long runs, Haas F1 invariably comes up short. Hulkenberg was sent out on the hard tyre and brought in a lap before the end. The strategy proved anything but promising, although they were not helped by the safety car.

Alfa Romeo - 3.0

Valtteri Bottas finished last of the drivers who crossed the finish line, which was the third time in a row for the Finn. Things are not going well at Alfa Romeo, as they invariably bivouac at the bottom on Saturdays and Sundays.

Alpine - 3.0

Alpine came out with updates in Azerbaijan, but we can't say they worked. We didn't see Pierre Gasly or Esteban Ocon all weekend, and for a brand like Alpine, that is quite a shame. And the same goes for Alpine as Haas F1: the strategy for Ocon was hopeless.