LECLERC: 10
MAGNUSSEN: 9
ZHOU: 9 ****
BOTTAS: 9
HAMILTON: 8.5
SAINZ: 7.5
VERSTAPPEN: 7.5
OCON: 7.5
GASLY: 7.5
ALBON: 7
TSUNODA: 7
PEREZ: 7
RUSSELL: 6.5
ALONSO: 6 ***
STROLL: 5.5
NORRIS: 5.5
HÜLKENBERG: 5 **
RICCIARDO: 4
SCHUMACHER: 4 *
LATIFI: 3
****: explanation of high Zhou rating:
Zhou had no DRS in qualy and saw his best time deleted because of track limits: that time was just half a second of Botta's time but with no DRS! In the race his lap times were identical to Bottas, lost 7th place because his team pitted him at the same time as Bottas and he had to wait after Valtteri's car.
This was one of the most impressive debuts in years. Alfa Romeo messed up their strategy numerous times last year. They now did it again and this time it cost Zhou a 7th place, he was running right behind Bottas who finished 6th before his final stop.
Few people seem to have realised how strong Zhou's race was. I suggest that they have a look at the lap chart from the race and have a look at all lap times, they will be surprised.
*** On Alonso: his race pace was considerably slower as Ocon's pace hence the difference in their rating.
** Hülkenberg still gets a 5 because he beat Stroll in qualy. His race was terrible though but in his defence: he hasn't been racing for a while.
* Mick needs to raise his game: he was a full second per lap slower as Magnussen and both Alfa Romeo's.
Edited by William Hunt, 22 March 2022 - 02:59.