Ratings for the teams after Abu Dhabi: McLaren does everything right
- GPblog.com
The last race of the season was a great finish for Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing, but McLaren is perhaps the biggest winner in Abu Dhabi with third place in the championship. These are the figures for the teams on behalf of GPblog.
Mercedes: 8
After a weekend of absence Lewis Hamilton was back in the Mercedes in Abu Dhabi, but he wasn't on his best form. The whole weekend Valtteri Bottas was faster and both in qualifying and the race the Mercedes drivers were second and third. A fine race, but Max Verstappen outperformed them.
Red Bull Racing: 9
If we apply the statement 'you're as good as your last race', that promises a lot for Red Bull Racing in 2021. With Verstappen, the team was able to beat Mercedes in both qualifying and the race and Alexander Albon was finally able to find some form to finish P4.
McLaren: 10
The British team is well on its way back to the top. The weekend in Abu Dhabi is proof of that. They started in qualifying with a fourth place for Lando Norris and a sixth place for Carlos Sainz. McLaren was also strong in the race and with fifth and sixth place for Norris and Sainz, enough points were secured to take over third place in the constructors' championship from Racing Point.
Racing Point: 5
From hero to zero. It can go fast in Formula 1. After a double podium in Bahrain, Racing Point was nowhere to be found this weekend. Sergio Perez started at the back and retired with an engine problem. Lance Stroll just managed to get a point, but the battle for third place in the championship was lost.
Renault: 7
A poor qualifying for the French team with a tenth and 11th place for Esteban Ocon and Daniel Ricciardo, but Renault regained some speed in the race. Ricciardo even took the fastest lap on the final lap. Renault couldn't really attack for third place in the championship, but with a seventh and ninth place the season ends well.
Ferrari: 3
For the Italians it is to be hoped that the team will be able to make a big leap next year with a new engine, because the last race in Abu Dhabi does not bode well for Ferrari. Zero points were scored and Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel finished way out of the points in 13th and 14th.
AlphaTauri: 7
Daniil Kvyat didn't manage to cash in on his good qualifying and finished just outside the points. Pierre Gasly showed some nice overtaking during the race and drags in some points again with an eighth placed finish.
Alfa Romeo: 6
Once again Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi didn't make it to the points. The drivers are not to blame, but the speed just isn't there.
Haas: 5
Kevin Magnussen had probably hoped for a better farewell. Due to a change of engine he had to start at the back, but in the race he couldn't manage more than 18th, with Pietro Fittipaldi 19th.
Williams: 6
After his weekend with Mercedes, George Russell qualified 18th and finished 15th. With Nicholas Latifi in 17th, Williams went scoreless in 2020.