Russian Grand Prix driver ratings

The 2021 Russian GP was decided by late-arriving rain that allowed some to climb and caused others to plummet. But the events which played out beforehand are equally significant when considering the all-important driver ratings

Alex Kalinauckas Sep 27, 2021, 10:05 AM

Lewis Hamilton – 8

His qualifying pitlane crash must go down as a 'major error' despite it being the result of a small slip, particularly as it played such a role in losing the tyre temperature needed to have any shot at pole. Raced smartly and carefully early on, then charged well in clear air and listened to his team wisely over the inters switch, which combine to earn him a mark back.

Max Verstappen – 9

Like Hamilton, for once an amazing result rested on circumstances unfurling ahead – but he gains a mark because it was his call on when to take the inters that got him onto the podium. Obviously a qualifying non-factor with his engine-change penalty, then showed typical excellent racecraft in the first stint. Couldn't really be blamed for his stint two mediums giving up considering the work they'd done.

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Author Alex Kalinauckas

Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.

A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.