Mexican GP driver ratings: Top marks for Mercedes and Verstappen despite trouble
F1 News
Formula 1 was treated to another good race at the Mexican Grand Prix. There was a lot going on with plenty of ups and downs for most drivers on the grid. Here are our grades for all drivers who finished in the top 10!
1. Lewis Hamilton - 10
It wasn't one of those easy races where Hamilton drove off into the distance and claimed the victory on the first corner. The British driver might not have won his sixth world championship, but he had a near-perfect race. Helped by another Mercedes tactical masterstroke, Hamilton opted for the one-stop strategy which proved to be the better option.
Even Hamilton didn't think he could make the hard tyres last for the duration of the race, but he managed to keep improving his lap times on the ageing tyres. Any mistake would have put Sebastian Vettel right on his tail but Hamilton drove superbly well.
2. Sebastian Vettel - 7.5
The Ferrari driver had a pretty decent race. He didn't do a lot wrong, but he couldn't close the gap between himself and Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of the race. He also had bother from behind as the other Mercedes driver, Valtteri Bottas, attempted to close in. Vettel also did well to avoid any major trouble when he touched Leclerc in the opening of the race.
3. Valtteri Bottas - 8
Bottas drove a quiet race and similar to Hamilton, he was aided by a one-stop strategy call from Mercedes. Still, Bottas made some good overtakes as he had work through the top part of the field. He also managed to keep out of trouble in what was a hectic start for the big three teams.
4. Charles Leclerc - 5
Leclerc played victim to a poor Ferrari strategy. He just couldn't get the tyres working on the 2nd stint and ultimately that cost him a chance of a podium. He was also unlucky with a bad Ferrari pitstop.
5. Alex Albon - 7
Albon made a good start to the race and found himself in 3rd place. But unfortunately for him, Red Bull placed him on the wrong tyre strategy. Other than that, Albon drove a solid race.
6. Max Verstappen - 9
Voted driver of the day, Verstappen went for an aggressive approach early in the race. He picked up an unlucky podium and was dropped to the back of the grid. The Dutchman did well to keep at it and work his way through the midfield.
7. Sergio Perez - 9
Just the result Perez was after. The Mexican gave himself the victory for finishing in the 'best of the rest' position. The Racing Point found himself on the correct strategy, but he still had to defend a charging Daniel Ricciardo towards the end of the race.
8. Daniel Ricciardo - 7.5
The Australian was the pioneer with the Mercedes strategy as Ricciardo proved the hard tyres could last deep into the race. Ricciardo perhaps should have got past Perez at the end of the race, but a key mistake here and there cost him the extra points.
9. Pierre Gasly - 7
A steady drive for Gasly considering he stopped twice because he started on the soft tyres. The Toro Rosso driver has now strung together back-to-back points finishes as he looks to bounce back.
10. Nico Hulkenberg - 5
Another driver who had a quiet race but perhaps should have performed better. Hulkenberg started ahead of Ricciardo and Renault put the two on the same strategy.