Azerbaijan Grand Prix Rankings Overview
The weekend’s surprises saw underdogs shine while well-known drivers faced challenges, contributing to a fluctuating feeling in Edd Straw’s rankings following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
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How are the rankings composed? The 20 drivers are listed based on their performance over the weekend, with criteria ranging from speed and racecraft to consistency and significant errors. The degree to which each driver approached the car’s maximum performance potential is a vital factor.
It’s crucial to understand that the rankings reflect the entire weekend’s performance, acknowledging that qualifying is integral to setting the stage for the race and is not an overall evaluation of each driver’s abilities. Therefore, rankings may change significantly from week to week.
With each car possessing unique performance capabilities and “luck” (external factors) affecting outcomes, these rankings will often diverge from the overall race results.
Top Performers and Notable Highlights
Carlos Sainz: Starting in 3rd and finishing 5th, Sainz garnered significant attention, although Liam Lawson’s achievements arguably eclipsed him. Lawson’s Q3 performance and race execution allowed him to maintain a strong position, ultimately finishing with an impressive 5th place, showcasing his composure under pressure.
Max Verstappen: Having started and finished 1st, Verstappen demonstrated his skill by clinching pole position in qualifying and maintaining control during the race. His strategic handling and pace resulted in a flawless weekend, earning him an exemplary ranking.
George Russell: Rising from 5th to 2nd, Russell’s performance was commendable given his health struggles. His ability to navigate tricky race conditions and execute overtaking maneuvers led to a strong finish despite his illness.
Kimi Antonelli: Securing 4th place after starting 4th, Antonelli needed a solid performance, which he delivered, showing consistency and strength in battles, earning him praise after previous criticism.
Challenges and Setbacks
Lewis Hamilton: Though he started 12th and finished 9th, Hamilton’s good pace was overshadowed by his Q2 exit. Issues during qualifying hurt his ranking, but he showcased strong race performance overall.
Oscar Piastri: The weekend for Piastri was challenging, starting 9th but ultimately not finishing the race due to errors in both qualifying and the race. His struggles raised concerns about consistency.
Esteban Ocon: From 20th to 14th, Ocon faced severe braking issues during qualifying. His race strategy allowed some gains, but the initial mistake overshadowed his efforts.
