George Russell returned to winning ways with a dominant victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix - a high-scoring affair in the latest driver ratings.
Who scored a nine despite not even finishing the race, who was "as bad as it gets" and which driver was firmly demolished by his team-mate, a Baku specialist?
Read on below to find out and let us know in the comments if you agree!
The top five
George Russell - 10
The rules here are simple. You get a grand chelem in a race, you get a 10. Only missed on topping FP3, but otherwise was unbeaten all weekend in every metric.
Max Verstappen - 9.5
Gets the benefit of the doubt in terms of the engine issue in qualifying and not getting his final lap due to Norris's yellow flag. Decisive early the race with the overtakes and made Russell work at the end, falling 0.196s short of stealing a win.
Isack Hadjar - 9.5
An excellent return to the cockpit, made even better by losing some time in FP1 with a car gremlin. Looked as if he had the pace to pass Verstappen at one point, but third was the best he could hope for and delivered.
Charles Leclerc - 9
Somehow got that Ferrari, with all its straight-line speed weaknesses onto the front row, and then did the best race that was expected, given the Red Bulls were so much stronger in race trim, as was Piastri before his Turn 1 mistake. Held off Antonelli by less than a half-a-second for fourth.
Pierre Gasly - 9
Qualified seventh, and beat Verstappen in the process, whatever his problems. Was consistently in the top 10 when it mattered through the weekend, and was on course for a big points haul until he got Colapinto'd.
The bottom five
Alex Albon - 5
A decent enough qualifying and was doing his race until he crashed. Took full responsibility for it, but needless, although it did trigger the safety cars, which livened up a dull affair.
Lando Norris - 4.5
His worst performance for a while. Was never truly at one with the upgraded car all weekend, and was out-qualified by Piastri. Felt his MCL40 was different to Piastri's but was unlucky to be collateral damage in the Alpine vs Alpine disaster.
Lance Stroll - 4.5
Another weekend it is hard to judge Stroll given the woes of Aston Martin-Honda, so we go to qualifying. Stroll was nearly eight-tenths slower than Alonso in the other car, as the two-time champion out-qualified an engine-boosted Cadillac on the road.
Franco Colapinto - 4
Earns a mark back for his qualifying effort and getting into the top 10 and taking ninth, but barely. 'Out of control' was a phrase he used as he turned the Turn 1 braking zone into a bowling alley a la Bottas in Hungary 2021, whilst Flavio Briatore threatened "action" will be taken. Already bad enough, but doing what he did and taking out your team-mate from a solid double points position? As bad as it can get.
Valtteri Bottas - 3.5
Demolished by Perez all weekend. 1.6s slower in qualifying, and although he did not have the upgraded engine, it was not 1.6s worth of time. Crashed at the end and earned himself a trip to the stewards. One to forget.
2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Baku Driver Ratings
| Driver | Race Rating | Season Average |
|---|---|---|
| George Russell | 10 | 7.3 |
| Max Verstappen | 9.5 | 7.9 |
| Isack Hadjar | 9.5 | 7.3 |
| Charles Leclerc | 9 | 7.2 |
| Pierre Gasly | 9 | 7.4 |
| Esteban Ocon | 8 | 5.8 |
| Oliver Bearman | 8 | 5.7 |
| Carlos Sainz | 7.5 | 5.7 |
| Liam Lawson | 7.5 | 7.3 |
| Sergio Perez | 7.5 | 5.7 |
| Kimi Antonelli | 7 | 8.8 |
| Lewis Hamilton | 6.5 | 7.3 |
| Arvid Lindblad | 6 | 7.3 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | 6 | 6.4 |
| Oscar Piastri | 6 | 6.6 |
| Gabriel Bortoleto | 5.5 | 6.7 |
| Alex Albon | 5 | 5.4 |
| Fernando Alonso | 5 | 5.7 |
| Lando Norris | 4.5 | 7.8 |
| Lance Stroll | 4.5 | 4.7 |
| Franco Colapinto | 4 | 6.3 |
| Valtteri Bottas | 3.5 | 5.1 |
| Yuki Tsunoda | N/A | 7.0 |
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