1. Verstappen: not his best season, but that's only because 2021 exists. I didn't like his poor sportmanship in the last races of 2021, but that doesn't take away the fact that he was almost perfect until that point. This year, he spun in Barcelona and Hungary, and let Checo get too close for comfort here and there. You might think, that's a bit nitpicky, but don't get me wrong: his 2022 was still amazing, probably among the very best campaigns in the history of F1. It says a lot that that is only his second best effort, at the age of 25. He gives Vettel RBR domination era vibes, but I don't think a 2014 is coming for him. RBR would have to seriously drop the ball for Max to not be a contender from now on.
2. Leclerc: second best for sure, but not remotely close to Verstappen. People might criticize Ferrari, and more often than not they'll have a point, but Charles would've never beaten Max at his current level. And I'm not sure he will ever be able to, in equal standing cars. I'm sure if he gets a dominant car than can flatter his inconsistencies, he has the potential to destroy the rest of the grid, but when it's touch and go and he has to make the difference... seems to me like Charles is a bit vulnerable. It's like he would fit in the Schumacher era where you had Juan Pablo, Kimi in his prime, DC, JV and so on. All were very competent drivers but just not good enough to beat the guy currently on top.
3. Russell: I think his season is unappreciated. Seems like the most common criticism is that he didn't manage to clearly beat Lewis, and that's a bit crazy. Guy's in his 4th year but he's only driven lemons so far, he had no experience with high stakes, with being consistent. Before this season, some mocked him for failing to score points with the slowest car, like he was only good for qualifying and given a competent car he would be ncome out as mediocre. First season in Mercedes, with a car that's been far from ideal, and he's been solid as a rock, demonstrating top notch racecraft against Verstappen in every chance he's got, beating Hamilton and even getting a pole and a win. How was Verstappen doing in his 4th season again? I get that he's unpopular, but you're being way too harsh. I think he poses a much greater threat to Verstappen than Leclerc does in the future.
4. Hamilton: one of his least impressive seasons in recent times, and still pretty good. It's a bit worrying because it's getting more and more evident that Lewis has lost a bit of his edge. Maybe I'm getting old, but so happens that I remember how Lewis was in his first seasons, and this seems like quite a departure. He is still quick, his pace is pretty much intact, but when it comes to wheel to wheel, he used to be a force of nature. Before the DRS era, he was one of the few who could pull off race deciding moves. Now, not only has he looked sloppy in some duels, causing colissions that were avoidable, he seems to lack a bit of iniciative. I have a lot of respect for him and I hope he can return to his best form, hopefully in a much competitive car next season.
5. Norris: he is getting flattered by Ricciardo, but he's still clear of anyone else in the midfield (with a bit of helps from Alpine, but more on that in a minute). Fourth season, like Russell, should be in a better car by now. Until then, we can't know how good he really is. What can't be a coincidence is that he's always a reference in the midfield. Seems like he could potentially be a solid number 2 for the top teams. Seems a lot less popular in social media than what he used to be. McLaren and F1 losing out on that marketing potential because the teams are happy with the current status quo. It's harder than ever to get a seat, let alone a competitive one. That's hurting F1 a lot.
6. Alonso: I guess he must've missed one of those seasons where, in his words, he used to have the 6th or 7th fastest car and was still in the podium every race. Well, that's because raw quali pace isn't everything in F1, it usually means very little as the Alpine has proved. It still has been a pretty unfair season to Fernando. Ocon racing him like they're fighting for the title, and constant mechanical failures have cost him a lot of points. I'm glad he's decided to stick around for a few more years despite being in his 40s, because whether or not his speed has diminished, he's still the same old Fernando. On and off track, he brings a lot of entertainment, he's a very strong active for F1 that generic rookie #235 wouldn't be able to replace. And I think Alpine should've yielded in the negotiations, so what if he's old? There's no point in replacing him with Gasly, you're just dooming yourself to the midfield, no matter the car.
7. Sainz: most are disappointed with his season, and I still must be more than most. I've been defending him from the usual criticisms all these years, but this season seems to have proven me wrong. And I get that he's trying to be positive in the media, but some of the things he has said sound downright delusional. Both he and Ferrari need to accept his place and what he's capable of for the future. Otherwise they'll have to face a lot of frustration and failure.
8. Pérez: still behind Sainz, because while Sainz was able to sneakily get ahead of Leclerc in 2021 with a lot of luck and what have you, and he looks like a proper threat to Leclerc from time to time, you don't feel like Checo could do the same to Verstappen, ever. No matter the luck. He's been completely outclassed, in a car that should've been an easy P2 this year. Those Mercedes haters that used to make fun of Bottas for being Lewis' dog, where does that leave Checo then after what we've seen these last two races? Not only he's there only to serve Max, he's not even appreciated.
9. Vettel: he probably hasn't been as consistent as Ocon and he would have to be lower than him, but Esteban's season is so unimpressive and at times frustrating that I don't feel like it. At least Vettel has looked like the brilliant driver he once was from time to time. I still think he could've had a return to form in a more competent car. More than once I've wondered if he would've been as hopeless as Sainz often was in the Ferrari. This Ferrari looked very strong in the corners, which is where Vettel excelled. Those Ferraris from 2018-20 were the opposite of that.
A few things could be said here and there, but most have already been covered and this is already pretty long, so: honorable mentions to a great comeback from KMag, Tsunoda showing he's not completely hopeless in F1 and Bottas and Albon managing to stand out in the midfield.
Edited by GunnarN7, 23 November 2022 - 01:09.