Verstappen and McLaren drivers shine in F1 Power Rankings

Formula1.com has compiled the list of F1 Power Rankings after the Qatar Grand Prix. Notable drivers in the list are Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Ocon. Less notable are the usual names from past races. Max Verstappen and the McLaren drivers, especially Oscar Piastri, shine.

Verstappen just short of perfect

For Verstappen, who secured his third F1 title in Qatar on Saturday, it is just short of a full score. The Red Bull Racing driver gets a 9.6 for his performance in Qatar. The few points deduction the Dutchman gets for the day he became the 2023 champion. On Saturday, he 'only' qualified third and his start of the sprint race was not flawless either.

Oscar Piastri won the sprint race on Saturday and immediately made up for his mistake from Friday's qualifying on Sunday. The Australian was given track limits during that qualifying, which made him start sixth on Sunday, but after the start, he shot straight to P2 at the first corner. The McLaren driver received high praise from his team and also from F1. Piastri received a 9.2 for his GP weekend in Qatar.

After Piastri comes the other McLaren driver, Lando Norris, who scored a creditable 8.4. The surprises behind the top three are Valtteri Bottas with an 8.2 and Esteban Ocon with an 8. Bottas' race is described as a typically underrated race by the Finn. Bottas showed in Qatar that he is still one of the better drivers. Ocon is rewarded for restoring the form the Alpine F1 team had last year.

Top ten F1 Power Rankings GP Qatar 2023