Verstappen in top form for the final five races, Leclerc can surprise

With five races in the next six weeks the Formula 1 season will end with a spectacular finale. It is far from certain who will take the title and there is also plenty to fight for in the midfield. Here we look at which drivers are in the best shape ahead of this exciting finale.

Verstappen at the top

At the end of each Grands Prix, GPblog gives ratings to the drivers. These grades have been tracked throughout the season and right before the most important stage of the season, we look at which drivers have performed best.

It is clear that Max Verstappen is the man of the hour this season. The Dutchman hasn't won the world title yet, but he's been virtually flawless for a whole year now. This is reflected in his average score over 17 races: 8.9. His nearest rival in our table is Lewis Hamilton on 8.3. 

Hamilton's average is strong despite major notable mistakes in Imola, Azerbaijan and Hungary. He is quickly followed by Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and then Norris. Over the last five races, Ricciardo is averaging higher than his British teammate, but over the full season the Australian still has catching up to do. 

Disappointing Bottas and Perez

The middle ground starts from Daniel Ricciardo with a 6.8 average rating. Alonso, Perez, Bottas, Russell, Gasly and Ocon also sit in the midfield with ratings between 6 and 6.5. A little bit on the low side for Bottas and Perez who are driving for teams pushing for the titles. 

Towards the bottom, we find the disappointments of this season. Nikita Mazepin sits at the bottom with 4.0. Tsunoda is in 19th and is quickly followed by Schumacher, Stroll and Giovinazzi. 

Leclerc in good shape

Momentum goes up and down throughout the season, so it doesn't really matter anymore how well a driver did at the start of the season. So we looked at the last seven races. Which drivers had a better form in that period than over the rest of the season and who fell back a bit?

On the first place, nothing changes. Verstappen is still on top and scores an average of 8.3 over the past races. However, he is now followed by Leclerc, who is on a particularly good run. Hamilton is in third place. Lando Norris has dropped. The young Briton is having a slightly lesser phase of the season but still scores a 7.2.

Results of the last seven races

1. Verstappen: 8.3

2. Leclerc: 8

3. Hamilton: 8

4. Sainz 7.7

5. Ricciardo 7.2

6. Norris 7.2

7. Alonso 7.1

8. Perez 6.7

9. Bottas 6.5

10. Russell 6.4

11. Gasly 6.4

12. Ocon 6.3

13. Latifi 5.9

14. Raikkonen 5.9

15. Vettel 5.5 

16. Giovinazzi 5.2

17. Stroll 5.2

18. Schumacher 5.2 

19. Tsunoda 4.7

20. Mazepin 4.0