Ratings | Verstappen not perfect in Miami, Perez downgraded from pole

Max Verstappen managed to win the 2023 Miami Grand Prix from P9. As a result, the Dutchman naturally gets high marks for his performance this weekend. Read how the other drivers fared in GPblog's rating here.

Verstappen: 9

Max Verstappen was the best all weekend, but was caught out on one mistake during his first run in Q3. That mistake cost him dearly due to a red flag at the end of the session. This forced Verstappen to start from P9, but during that GP the Dutchman once again showed why he is a two-time F1 world champion.

Perez: 7

Disappointment was dripping off Sergio Perez after the race, and not surprisingly so. The Mexican had already reacted with shock on Friday when he saw Verstappen's data and was downgraded on Sunday. Of course, from pole, with the RB19 at your disposal, you should never come second when your teammate starts from P9. It happened to Perez anyway and that will hurt.

Alonso: 10

Fernando Alonso addressed Jenson Button with a grin from ear to ear after the race. The Spaniard took his fourth podium in five race weekends and this was perhaps his best weekend so far. On Saturday, on old tyres, he was right on top in Q3 and in the race he was clearly better than the men around him. The gap with his teammate in particular is starting to become glaring.

Russell: 9

A good weekend for George Russell, who drove his W14 to P4 in Miami. The Briton was a lot better than his more experienced teammate this weekend and drove past the Ferrari's in a strong race.

Sainz: 8

Carlos Sainz had a good weekend, but noticed in the race that the SF-23 simply lacked pace. His mistake entering the pits was sloppy, but ultimately did not cost him a spot on the track. Indeed, Russell passed him without incurring the time penalty.

Hamilton: 6

Lewis Hamilton established order in the race, but on Saturday it was painful for the seven-time world champion to go out in Q2. The Briton was again over two tenths slower than his teammate in that session, making the qualifying duel already 4-1 in favour of the youngest Briton.

Leclerc: 3

It is not yet Charles Leclerc's season and the weekend in Miami is one to forget very quickly for the Monegasque. Things already went wrong during free practice, with Leclerc flying into the wall in Q3 for the second weekend in a row. Whereas in Baku he kept his pole, in Miami he had already ruined his first lap by braking too late at the last corner. In the race, the Ferrari driver was then unable to move forward quickly.

Gasly: 8

Pierre Gasly scores important points for Alpine after particularly strong qualifying. The cars in front of him are obviously faster, but the way the Frenchman was sometimes passed was too easy. The real racecraft is still missing from Gasly.

Ocon: 7

Esteban Ocon sees his teammate score more points, but he is not far off.

Magnussen: 10

Kevin Magnussen drove a perfect weekend in Miami. On Saturday, the Dane surprised everyone with a fourth starting spot and in the race he fought as if his life depended on it. That was eventually rewarded with a 10th place and thus one point for Haas.

Tsunoda: 8

Another eleventh place for Yuki Tsunoda. Beaten for the first time by his new teammate on Saturday, but he was the AlphaTauri man again on Sunday. The Japanese driver impressed especially with some impressive overtaking. Catching up on the medium tyre eventually came just too late for Magnussen to attack for the final point.

Stroll: 4

While Alonso stands spraying champagne, Lance Stroll drops off without any points. The chemistry may be there between the two drivers, but the Canadian was dominated by his teammate this weekend. He was already out of the race in Q1 and he did not manage to make a mark in the race either.

Bottas: 7

A good weekend for Valtteri Bottas, who looked likely to score points for a long time. However, the Finn too often allowed himself to be passed too easily. Racing for a place is still alien to the ten-time race winner.

Albon: 8

Alexander Albon has the reins firmly in Williams' hands, but points were not forthcoming in Miami. The Thai reached a handsome 11th place in qualifying, but deteriorated in the race.

Hulkenberg: 6

Nico Hulkenberg has been the face of Haas for weeks, but had to watch his teammate steal the show this weekend. Not surprisingly, that happened in Miami, where Hulkenberg, unlike his teammate, had never been before.

Zhou: 6

A colourless weekend for Guanyu Zhou who could not come close to his more experienced teammate on Saturday and Sunday.

Norris: 7

Lando Norris did what he could, but the McLaren failed to make progress in the sessions that mattered after a strong Friday. Then there is little honour to be gained as a driver either.

De Vries: 5

For a while, this seemed to be Nyck de Vries' weekend, with a faster qualifying session than his teammate on Saturday. However, things already went wrong on the first lap of the race. The Dutchman made a mistake in the first corner, hit Norris and was immediately at the back. With the AT04, unlike his teammate, he did not get any further forward.

Piastri: 6

There was little honour for Oscar Piastri too with the MCL60. The clever thing is that in such a weekend, the rookie is rarely far away from his experienced colleague.

Sargeant: 5

Logan Sargeant was beaten for the fifth time in a row in qualifying by his teammate and averages the biggest deficit: 0.426s. Even on Sunday, the American still failed to impress. He drove a lonely race in last place.