2025 F1 Austrian Grand Prix Driver Ratings

Although Max Verstappen was eliminated from the Austrian Grand Prix on the first lap, the race was still a cracker with plenty of storylines to enjoy. 

Whether it be the McLarens battling for the lead, Liam Lawson's heroics or Fernando Alonso teaching his protege a lesson or two, the race was a high-scoring affair in our driver ratings! 

There is one perfect 10 among the rankings - and there are no prizes for guessing who for...

The top five

Lando Norris - 10

The perfect response to the utter disaster that was Canada. He topped every single session he took part in after missing FP1 for Alex Dunne, set the fastest lap and led all but eight laps. Utter dominance, and the best performance of his F1 career to date. Loses half a mark for the errors at the final corner, which allowed Piastri to attack, but earns it back with the stunning defensive driving masterclass whilst low on and unable to recharge the battery. 

Liam Lawson - 9.5

Out-qualified Max Verstappen in a Racing Bulls after aborting his first Q3 lap, finished five seconds behind a Mercedes, whilst on a one-stop strategy in searingly hot conditions. Dealt with Fernando Alonso behind him all race and thumped his team-mate. A performance he needed.

Charles Leclerc - 9

Earns a 9.5 for out-qualifying Piastri to split the McLarens on the grid, but loses half a mark due to the slow-ish start which allowed Piastri ahead at Turn 1 and all but ended the race for Ferrari. Comfortably ahead of Hamilton with third podium in four races.

Gabriel Bortoleto - 9 

A stunning performance from a driver who has not got the plaudits despite some strong performances in the Stake. First Brazilian driver to score points since Felipe Massa at the 2017 Abu Dhabi GP, but can't score higher as he did not pass the one-stopping Alonso late on despite having 16 lap fresher tyres than his manager, who taught his protege a thing or two.

Fernando Alonso - 8

Welcome to the Fernando Alonso School of Defending. Bortoleto received a fine tuition late in the race as Alonso used every trick in the book, most of which he wrote, to stay ahead. A fine job on the one-stop strategy, having said that, after qualifying, he would have "signed up" to be P11. The gap to Pierre Gasly in P10 was a bit large, so he loses half a mark.

The bottom five

Lance Stroll - 4 

A rather anonymous race from Stroll, who was 16th in qualifying and 14th in the race, despite four drivers retiring as Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon both passed him. 

Kimi Antonelli - 3.5 

Did well to get into Q3 and start ninth, but was simply caught out at Turn 3 with a rookie mistake on the brakes and clobbered Verstappen out. His own fault and a fully justified three-place grid drop for Silverstone.

Franco Colapinto - 3 

Fairly innocent in being spun around by Yuki Tsunoda, but nearly forcing Piastri off and onto the grass whilst being lapped was unforgivable. Did well in Canada, but here was a backwards step, just when the pressure from Flavio Briatore is ramping up.

Yuki Tsunoda - 3

In fairness, Tsunoda was only 0.263s behind Verstappen in qualifying, but given the short lap, that is a lifetime in Austria, as he was dumped in 18th place. Careless to tip Colapinto in a spin, but is it rock bottom? Probably close to it, but it is not his fault the Red Bull car is so undrivable. Tsunoda is not a bad driver but he is being made to look like one.

Carlos Sainz - N/A

Given the fact that he had major car problems in qualifying, and posted a DNS after the brakes caught fire before the race, Sainz is not awarded a score.