Australian GP driver ratings: Two potential Red Bull drivers deliver masterclasses

wuqian0821.com's F1 driver ratings for the A🌄ustralian Grand Pr▨ix.

Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) RB in qualifying parc ferme. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 3, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park,
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) RB in qualifying parc ferme. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 3, Australian…

Carlos Sainz - 10

A sublime weekend from Sainz on his return from surgery. While he did make a mistake on his best qualifying lap in Q3, he was consistently quicker than Ferrari teammate Leclerc. It was the same in the race - and even if Verstappen didn’t DNF - Sainz would have likely pushedꦑ the reigning world champion hard for the victory.

Charles Leclerc - 8

Unfortunately for Leclerc, a rare off weekend coincided with Verstappen’s first DNF♕ in two years𝐆. He was a step behind Sainz in Australia and thus missed out on his first win since 2022.

Lando Norris - 9

Norris was back to his best in Melbourne this weekend. He got the most out of the McLaren in qualifying to pip Leclerc. On race day, strategy cost him a possible P2, losing crucial track position after the first round of pit s🌌tops.

The podium (L to R): Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari, second; Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari, race winner; Lando Norris (GBR)
The podium (L to R): Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari, second; Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari,…

Oscar Piastri - 7.5

Piastri was fairly competitive in Australia but lacked some crucial race pace relative to Norris. He also ran wide at the penultimate corner late on, although the꧂ mistake was inconsequential to his race re🤡sult. 

Sergio Perez - 7

A quiet ♔race from Perez after he was put back three places on the grid having impeded Hulkenberg in qualifying. He struggled to make a mark on the top four once he dispatched Alonso for fifth. 

Lance Stroll - 7

While Stroll was the weaker of the two Aston Martins, it was a professional w🃏eekend ov🀅erall.

Yuki Tsunoda - 9

Ano🌄ther mighty weekend from Tsunoda, who continues to dispatch Ricciardo in Norris-like fashion. Q3 and a tiꦗdy points haul - surely Red Bull will be considering him for 2025?

Fernando Alonso - 7.5

Alonso made amends for his qualifying mistake with a fine dri🐠ve to sixth. Granted, he did benefit from the Virtual Safety Car, allowing him to get ahead of Russe🀅ll who crashed out late on. He was penalised after the race for "potentially dangerous" driving - dropping him from P6 to P8. 

Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) RB VCARB 01. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 3, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne,
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) RB VCARB 01. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 3, Australian Grand Prix,…

Nico Hulkenberg - 7.5

After a rare underperformance in qualifying, Hulkenberg put together a good race to come awꦗay with points for the second time♛ this season. Remarkably, it’s the first time he’s scored points in back-to-back races since 2019.

Kevin Magnussen - 7

Magnuss🍃en wasn’t as quick as Hulkenberg in the race, playing the team game when Haas issued team orders. H✃owever, he did enough to come away with a point. 

Alex Albon - 7

Al🏅bon was the sole Williams in action after the team decided to give him Sargeant's chassis. The Thai driver fought hard for points but lost out to the Haas duo ultimately. 

Daniel Ricciardo - 6

Another torrid weekღend from Ricciardo, w🤡ho continues to be dominated by RB teammate Tsunoda. He fell foul of track limits in qualifying before enduring an anonymous race.

Pierre Gasly - 6

Gasly is now 3-ꦓ0 down again🍎st Ocon in the qualifying head-to-head. He probably only beat his French compatriot in the race after Ocon suffered a lengthy pit stop.

Valtteri Bottas - 7.5

Bottas was robbed of a points finish after yet another slow pit stop rꦬuined hisܫ race. 

Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Sauber C44 makes a pit stop. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 3, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park,
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Sauber C44 makes a pit stop. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 3,…

Zhou Guanyu - 6

Zhou was unfortunate to pick up damage in qualifying, costing him a strong shot of Q2. Like his teammate, a slow p💜it stop cost him a chance of a better result.

Esteban Ocon - 7.5

Ocon was arguably the star of qualifying, progressing into Q2 in the slowest car on the grid. Like the two Saubers, a slow pit stop curtailed his 🎶afternoon. 

George Russell - 4.5

Russell threw away a solid weekend with another blunder on the final lap. While Alonso did brake early, the blamꦜe lies with the Mercedes driver. Regardless, he was once again the quicker of the tw𝕴o Mercedes drivers.

Lewis Hamilton - N/A

Even before his engine failure, Hamilton was endur⛦ing another subdued weekend. A poor start to t💯he year personally for Hamilton.

Max Verstappen - N/A 

Verstappen's race ended early when his rꦇear brakes cau💃ght fire. 

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB20 with a smoking rear brake that led to his retirement. Formula 1 World
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB20 with a smoking rear brake that led to his retirement…

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