Carlos Sainz should be "very proud" of first half of season

Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft has praised McLaren's Carlos Sainz Jr. for his performances so far this season, as the Spaniard leads the midfield battle by some way for the Woking-based team.

Sainz penned his first multiple-year contract this season since coming into Formula 1, teaming up with rookie Lando Norris. After a bit of a rocky start in the few three races, which included some unlucky qualifying outings and a mechanical DNF for Sainz, the 24-year-old has been nothing short of sensational.

In a midfield which can be incredibly unpredictable, Sainz is often finishing at the top of it, which is why he leads the midfield battle by a whopping 27 points. He's also just five points behind Red Bull Racing's Pierre Gasly, which shows both how good Sainz' season has been as well as how bad the first 12 races have been for the Frenchman in the RB15.

"Whilst mention should be made of Lando Norris' efforts in qualifying, which have been exemplary for a rookie, it's the racing where you score points and Carlos Sainz has taken every opportunity that has come his way this season," Croft writes for Sky Sports.

There is no doubt Sainz has been one of the better performers so far this season, pound for pound. Where would you rank him among the best drivers this season?