In 2021, every driver will receive a rating of 10 for their performance on a Grand Prix weekend. We took the ratings and averaged them based on the entire season. The order and rating are based on a numerical average throughout the season rather than a predetermined order.
Max Verstappen – 9.36
It is only fitting that the Formula 1 champion of 2021 is at the top of our annual average. Verstappen was consistently great, scoring no less than nine out of 10 until Monza – Round 14 of the season when he clashed with Hamilton. Remarkable consistency and level of performance in the midst of a title race against a seven-time world champion – it has to be applauded. While the focus lately has been on the safety car controversy and FIA decision-making, Verstappen has more than deserved the title this year.
Lewis Hamilton – 8.63
Hamilton ended the season with five 10/10 ratings at the last six Grands Prix of the year, making it one of the best forms of his F1 career. Compared to Verstappen, Hamilton fell short a few times at the beginning of the year – his mistake in restarting in Baku, a weekend in Monaco and his failure to use Mercedes’ dominant car at Monza – the main mistakes of his 2021 season. Had it gone that way at the final in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton would have been a worthy champion too.
Charles Leclerc – 8.14
The final drivers’ standings don’t look too good for Leclerc as he was beaten by teammate Sainz at the end of the season, but if you look at the numbers it was still a strong year for the Monegasque. Two pole positions in Azerbaijan and Monaco again demonstrated his blazing one-lap speed, and he almost won at Silverstone. Leclerc often had the upper hand over his teammates and won qualifying and the race directly. His crash in Monaco turned out to be costly as he was unable to start from pole while he was unlucky in Hungary.
Lando Norris – 8.1
Norris finished second on our mid-season rankings with an average score of nine. McLaren’s loss of form coincided with some bad luck for Norris in the final half of the season, which meant that overall he fell slightly behind Leclerc. The young Briton was undoubtedly one of the top performers in Formula 1 in 2021. Highs in Imola, Monaco, Styria and Austria underpinned his form in the first half of the year. Norris missed victory at the expense of his teammate in Monza, while the Russian GP should have been his if he hadn’t chosen the wrong strategy.
Pierre Gasly – 7.90
18 Q3 appearances for Gasly in 2021 – only Verstappen, Hamilton, Bottas, Perez and Leclerc had more. Gasly has been incredibly consistent throughout the season, leading AlphaTauri to its best year in terms of points scored. The Frenchman achieved a 10/10 with his podium in Azerbaijan and achieved further highs in Zandvoort (P4) and Mexico (P4).
Carlos Sainz – 7.77
As Sainz beat Norris and Leclerc in the drivers’ championship, he unfortunately missed a place in the top five. His impressive championship result is due to his remarkable consistency as he is in the top 10 in 14 races. He was overtaken and overtaken by his teammate in 2021, but fewer incidents allowed Sainz to secure fifth overall. His only 10-point ranking of the season came in Abu Dhabi, where he secured his fourth podium of the season with a good advance to third place.
Fernando Alonso – 7.5
Alonso initially struggled on his return to F1 as he had to adapt to the 2021 machines while recovering from injuries sustained in his cycling accident. The Spaniard’s best performances, scoring a 10, came in Hungary – for his defensive masterclass against Hamilton that gave Ocon the win – and in Qatar – where he stood on the podium for the first time since 2014.
George Russell – 7.45
Russell’s promotion to Mercedes was inevitable given his formidable form ahead of the Monza week ahead of the announcement. Russell took his first podium at the Belgian Grand Prix and Williams’ first podium since 2017 to get a 10 score. Russell scored a nine in six other Grands Prix.
Esteban Ocon – 7.19
After many struggled against Ricciardo on his return to Formula 1 in 2020, many expected a repeat alongside two-time champions Alonso. Even without his outstanding win on the Hungaroring, Ocon did well, as Alpine had one of the most even pairings on the grid.
Sergio Perez – 6.86
Perez made it into the top 10. His defensive performance in Abu Dhabi ultimately helped Verstappen win the title – and along with his win in Baku, made it his outstanding performance of the season. While Perez cost Red Bull his first constructors’ title, he undeniably contributed to Verstappen’s title win against Hamilton.
Daniel Ricciardo – 6.68
Ricciardo narrowly missed a top 10 spot after a difficult first year at McLaren. His inability to adapt to McLaren’s “unique” style left him well behind an informed Norris. The Australian’s form picked up after the summer break with a win at Monza and four other top five finishes.
Sebastian Vettel – 6.55
We saw flashes of the “Old Vettel” with podium finishes in Azerbaijan and Hungary in 2021, although he was disqualified by the latter. Aside from his two stellar results, Vettel was relatively disappointing given his reputation and history – many expected him to sweep Stroll aside if he didn’t.
Lance hike – 6.45
A respectable season for Stroll in 2021 as he did well against his four-time world champion team-mate. While the Canadian and his team-mate Vettel lacked an outstanding result, Stroll scored points in nine Grand Prix – Vettel only in six. Since many expected Stroll to be dominated by Vettel, he should be satisfied with his campaign.
Antonio Giovinazzi – 6.45
After two rather anonymous seasons, Giovinazzi’s improvement was immediately visible. A Q3 appearance in Monaco was impressive, while seventh on the grid at Zandvoort was the highlight of his season. Undoubtedly, Giovinazzi is fast enough to be in F1, but his inability to score – only three in the entire season – was his undoing.
Valtteri Bottas – 6.36
It’s fair to say that Bottas wasn’t the 15th best driver in Formula 1 this year, but shocking performances in Imola, Azerbaijan and Hungary severely detracted from his full year average. Without the races mentioned above, Bottas would be in the top 10. Overall, Bottas was outclassed by the two title contenders when he finished third nine times in 2021. His recovery to third place from the bottom of the grid in Italy and his dominant win at Istanbul Park guaranteed 10 ratings and showed what Bottas is capable of on his day.
Kimi Raikkonen – 6.2
The 2007 Formula 1 champion was right to end his illustrious career as his performances, particularly in qualifying, plummeted that year. Raikkonen still remains a force in racing trim, often recovers from his Q1 exit and is well in the midfield. The Finn’s shape appeared to be tightened after two away races due to the coronavirus, finishing eighth in Russia and Mexico. Highlights on race day, but certainly the slower of the two Alfa Romeos.
Mick Schumacher – 6.18
Given Haas’ lack of competitiveness, Schumacher could hardly have done more in his rookie season. A couple of Q2 appearances and we saw his talent against Verstappen on the Hungaroring, who defended wonderfully for a few laps while the Red Bull driver was maintaining a damaged car. A promising first year – he just needs the machines to show what he can do in 2022.
Nicholas Latifi – 5.32
The Williams driver took another step forward in 2021. Qualifying remains his Achilles heel, while Latifi looks more comfortable in the race trim. Latifi maximized his chances at the Hungarian Grand Prix when he finished third in the first stint before seventh. The Canadian ended the year strong – compared to Russell – beating him in the qualifiers in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
Nikita Mazepin – 4.86
Mazepin’s rookie season in Formula 1 was a baptism of fire. While the Haas was clearly the slowest car in the field, the Russian rarely comes within half a second of Schumacher in qualifying. Mazepin tends to do better on race trim, especially in the opening laps as he is ahead of his teammates before the two aggressively battle for position on the track. A bad rookie season, but it can be excused given Haas’ lack of competitiveness in 2021.
