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Ratings: What grade did the drivers get for the Austrian GP? (1-10)

Ratings: What grade did the drivers get for the Austrian GP? (1-10)

01-07-2019 08:20
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Bobby Vincent

After Sunday's dramatic race in Austria - we try our absolute best to rate each driver by a grade. Let us know if there's anyone we've rated too highly or too low in the comment section below!

Max Verstappen (P1) - 10

It was a sensational recovery drive for Verstappen, who after the first-lap moved down five places, from second to seventh, after an anti-stall at the start-line. 

The Dutchman's pace began to grow and after a lengthy fight for third-position with Sebastian Vettel - he eventually moved past the German and then had Valtteri Bottas to try to overtake. Verstappen did that with relative ease and then chased down Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen's move on Leclerc was slightly controversial; but as he described it, it was a positive that the FIA let the investigation go because it was "hard racing" from Verstappen.

Charles Leclerc (P2) - 9

The only negative of Verstappen's splendid performance was seeing Leclerc lose his maiden victory in Formula 1. He dominated the majority of the weekend - winning two practice sessions and starting on pole position for the second time in his career.

Leclerc did nothing wrong in the race and the tyre strategy chosen by Ferrari perhaps let him down in the end. He perhaps could've left less room for Verstappen to make his move on when he did overtake him.

Valtteri Bottas (P3) - 7.5

Mercedes had a disappointing weekend in Austria. About time! Bottas lacked speed all weekend and it turned out it was down to overheating problems in his Mercedes. However, the Finn finished above his team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Sebastian Vettel (P4) - 9

Vettel was incredibly unfortunate in qualifying, as he suffered technical issues with his Ferrari and was then forced to start the race in P10, but a tremendous start for the German ensured he was up to P6 straight away.

Lewis Hamilton (P5) - 7

Like Bottas, Hamilton also suffered with overheating in the incredibly hot conditions at the Red Bull Ring. Hamilton had an 11s pit-stop which compromised his race in the end and was overtaken by Vettel towards the end of the race. Bad day at the office for Mercedes.

Lando Norris (P6) - 9

What a weekend for McLaren! Another double-points finish for the British team. Norris started in P5 after a strong qualifying session, and went wheel-to-wheel with Hamilton right at the start of the race. Brave and compotent display from the McLaren man!

Pierre Gasly (P7) - 6

Gasly is a man under immense pressure, and the race in Austria did not help his case. Gasly was ahead of his team-mate Verstappen after the Dutchman's poor start to the race and ended up being lapped by his team-mate. Needs more time to settle.

Carlos Sainz (P8) - 10

Sainz was 19th at the start of the race. Nineteenth. An incredible drive lifted him up 11 places. He was swiftly up to P15 and perfected his tyre strategy and came home in P8 for McLaren.

Kimi Raikkonen (P9) - 7.5

It was a solid day for Raikkonen and for Alfa Romeo Racing - with its first double-points finish of the season. Raikkonen started the day in P6 and was involved in the mayhem right at the start of the race. He had a rather quiet race from then on, but that will suit Alfa Romeo perfectly.

Antonio Giovinazzi (P10) - 8

Giovinazzi recorded his first points finish in Formula 1 after a solid drive in Austria. The Italian moved past Romain Grosjean and Alex Albon and tried to do the same to his team-mate, but couldn't quite manage it. Solid race for Antonio.