Ratings | Sainz impresses, unsatisfactory result for Russell and Alonso

Once again, Carlos Sainz struck during a weekend when things were not going well for Max Verstappen. The Spaniard proved he is worthy of a seat at a top team. The 2024 Australian Grand Prix was also a moment when several drivers underperformed.

Ratings for the Australian Grand Prix

Sainz: 10

Carlos Sainz was the best driver this weekend. The fact that the Spaniard managed to get the most out of his SF-24 so soon after surgery is extraordinary. It shows once again how fit and mentally strong the Ferrari driver is.

Leclerc: 6

This was Charles Leclerc's chance to take another victory, but once again he let himself be trounced by his teammate. In qualifying and the race, Sainz was simply too strong.

Norris: 8

Lando Norris achieved his 14th podium in his F1 career, taking over Nick Heidfeld's record of most podiums without a win. This weekend too, there seemed to be another chance for Norris. Could there have been more than a third place?

Piastri: 6

In front of his own fans, Oscar Piastri drove a solid weekend. Up to Q3, he was faster than his teammate, but when it was needed most, Piastri did not produce. In the race, he showed better race pace than last year, but it was still not enough to beat his teammate in Melbourne.

Perez: 5

Sergio Perez has been recruited for weekends like this. If Verstappen does not win, the Mexican has to be there. However, that was not the case in Australia. After qualifying, Perez had to make up a lot of places, but he actually went backwards at the start. Even in terms of race pace, Perez did not show enough to get anywhere near the McLarens.

Stroll: 7

A fine weekend for Lance Stroll who, partly due to a penalty, finished ahead of his teammate in qualifying and the race.

Tsunoda: 9

Yuki Tsunoda made it clear in Australia, of all places, who is currently the fastest driver at Visa Cash App RB. The Japanese driver was much faster than Ricciardo in qualifying and scored the maximum number of points in the race.

Alonso: 5

After a poorer qualifying, Fernando Alonso drove a neat race and seemed to be on his way to sixth place. However, in a duel with George Russell, he went over the line. The Spaniard is known for his defensive tactics, but in this corner, he went over the limit. The stewards penalised Alonso, who lost four extra points as a result.

Hulkenberg: 8

Nico Hulkenberg drove a particularly strong race for Haas and scored important points again.

Magnussen: 8

Kevin Magnussen finished behind Hulkenberg in the race but certainly did not make a lesser impression. The Dane was faster in qualifying and had some bad luck with strategy. He was then the ideal team player to leave Hulkenberg ahead and eventually fight himself to a point as well.

Albon: 6

Alexander Albon crashed in FP1, but he can hardly be held responsible for Williams not having a spare chassis with him or for Williams choosing Albon as the driver who would be in action for the rest of the weekend. Albon then drove an okay qualifying and race, but points did not result.

Ricciardo: 5

Daniel Ricciardo was dominated by his teammate again this weekend. Qualifying was particularly painful. The Australian clearly went over the track limits and should have aborted his lap. Then he could have driven another lap. Now he drove on and lost his time. Then, in the race, Ricciardo couldn't make a mark either.

Gasly: 7

Pierre Gasly was still beaten by his teammate in qualifying but drove a great race to catch up on Sunday.

Bottas: 7

A fine weekend for Valtteri Bottas, who, of course, cannot be held responsible for his team's dramatic pit stops.

Zhou: 6

Guanyu Zhou was behind his Finnish teammate this weekend, but problems in the pit lane also dropped him way back in the rankings.

Ocon: 8

Esteban Ocon drove a very strong qualifying and got into Q2 as a result. The Frenchman also started the race strongly, but a 'tear-off' got stuck in his car. As a result, Ocon had to go to the pits and lost a lot of time. The race was then over for him.

Russell: 5

Not for the first time, George Russell ruined a good result by crashing. Alonso's defensive action was over the edge, but Russell was asleep himself. If Alonso's engine breaks down there, you have to be able to react too. However, Russell did not react, causing his points finish to go up in smoke.

Hamilton: 5

Lewis Hamilton seems to have given up a bit at Mercedes. After crashing out in Q2, the Briton claimed he had got used to it by now. At the start, he was able to attack the soft tyre, but that eagerness was completely lacking.

Max Verstappen did not get a grade as he was barely in action during the race. Logan Sargeant logically does not get a grade because he was not active after FP2.

GPblog Ranking after Australia