The 2023 F1 half-term driver grades
Running adjacent to the regular Formula 1 driver ratings after each grand prix, it is time to assess each member of the 2023 grid to give out the half-term grades. While there are top marks for this season’s head of the class, there’s a rookie and a couple of experienced hands who must pull their socks up when F1 returns from its summer holidays
Max Verstappen: A+
Championship position: 1st
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Erik Junius
Top of the class. Searing pace and scarce mistakes have led to Verstappen’s domination of proceedings in 2023, and only unfortunate circumstances have cost him victories this season. Without the driveshaft issue in qualifying for Saudi Arabia and a poorly timed pitstop in Azerbaijan, he could have very realistically headed for his summer holidays with the full collection of (slightly broken) winner’s trophies. Recent victories in Hungary and Belgium were comprehensive, as he grew in power during the first 12 races. Qualifying performances have been comparatively close to the rest, but that has generally mattered little during his Sunday drives into the sunset.
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