Part 1
With ups and downs for pretty much all drivers on the grid this year, it makes textbook sense to write some sort of end-of-season review. Therefore, much like I do with my students, it’s time to review each individual’s work and see if they have excelled, made expected progress or have fallen short of pre-season predictions. Let’s discover who was top of the class, and which members of this year’s “class” forgot to do their homework.
Lando Norris – B+
A solid year for Lando Norris which included some excellent results, especially towards the start of the season. Another improvement in his personal points tally, his McLaren was certainly more competitive this season, than last year. 4 podiums may arguably mean he should be on for an A grade, but that all-elusive maiden win is still very much that and remains absent from his growing trophy cabinet. If he was a school pupil, he did very well all year, but never quite achieved maximum marks. That being said, there is still a feeling he achieved well this year, and will be disappointed that a minor end of year dip in form, meant he finished below the Ferrari of friend-turned-rival; Carlos Sainz in the Driver’s standings. That being said, a brilliant year from the young Brit. Moreover, that aforementioned first win is surely a case of when, not if.
Daniel Ricciardo – C+
Arguably quite fortunate to get so close to his teammate, the Australian struggled in comparison this year. At best, this season could be described as underwhelming or transitional. At worst, it was outright disappointing. The win in Monza helped hugely, without which he would have surely been closer to a C- grade in this highly scientific scoring system. The year was inconsistent for Ricciardo, meaning he never truly found a sense of rhythm in the car, something both the team and driver alike will be hoping changes in 2022. Aside from the win, and a couple of fourths and fifths here and there, he quite often fell below his teammate. Moreover, his form over the season was more in line with Gasly and Alonso, rather than Lando or the Ferrari’s. In a superior car, and for a man with Danny Ricc’s experience and quality, the expectations can’t have been met. Not a bad season for the Aussie, but a stronger start to the season probably would have seen McLaren ahead of Ferrari, in the all important Constructor’s standings.
Mick Schumacher – D-
Admittedly, if you put Max Verstappen in that Haas, it still would have achieved a point this season. That’s how far off ‘it’ the team and car was off a competitive level. So full blame cannot sit with either rookie driver. It was always going to be a difficult task, whoever took that seat. That being said, with mistakes and costly damage aplenty, neither Haas driver can get more than a D at most, and I’m starting with the more generous verdict. Mick did at least beat his teammate across most races and the vast majority of qualifying sessions. As young drivers making their Formula 1 debuts this year, mistakes can be forgiven. The problem is they used this leverage up rather early on and cost the team millions of pounds with unnecessary mistakes. And with not even a solitary point to show for it, even Mick is stuck at the bottom of the class. In schooling terms, the German took the exam with a dodgy pen, but didn’t understand the questions anyway. A rather darkly ironic comparison to my schooling experiences at parent’s evening, is that Mick is exactly the kind of driver that could do with some help and guidance from his Dad. It is so tragic and deeply sad that he doesn’t seem to be able to get this at this moment in time.
Nikita Mazepin – F
I mean, you’d be quicker walking some of the F1 circuits, wouldn’t you? On a serious, real, note, I don’t hate Nikita Mazepin. In fact, I actually like him and feel his has been unfairly criticised to too much of a degree ever since his seat confirmation was announced. That being said, he was literal seconds behind everyone and in that car, albeit a poor one. The Russian does look out of place on the grid. He’s like the kind of student I teach who doesn’t know what’s going on, but he has the financial backing so, he has to somehow keep up with the other kids, without really doing the same stuff. An even stronger, and perhaps more fair comparison would be that Nikita is like the student who’s parents pushed him up a year too soon, and he is clearly out of his depth in this new environment. I hope, for his and his team’s sake, that he can turn it around and make his car more competitive. I personally just can’t see that happening, however.
Sergio Perez – A-
This “A” grade is almost for that Abu Dhabi effort alone, as he kept a fresher-tyred Lewis Hamilton behind him for what felt like the full twelve days of Christmas. The Mexican didn’t electrify immediately at the start of the year, but he has been solid in a Red Bull that isn’t as good as the other one (just ask my friends Alex and Pierre for more details). A second win in Azerbaijan is one example of where Checo took advantage of different scenarios to maximise both his personal and team’s gain. He was, like Valtteri has so often been, a brilliant team player and a fundamental reason why Max Verstappen won the world championship this year. All those fastest lap point taken from Lewis by Checo add up. Not only that, but having that other Red Bull up with him at the front of the grid so typically throughout the year, must have helped the Red Bull team with Max’s strategy, giving them more options than in the last couple of years. Five podiums, including one solitary win, is a solid effort, but the Mexican will be hoping for more next season. That being especially so, with a certain Albon, Tsunoda and perhaps Gasly waiting in the Red Bull (don’t say wings) wings. The only reason he fails to achieve the top mark is that Perez failed to help Red Bull beat Mercedes. Not only that, but a few more podiums and perhaps another win or two, may have given him third ahead of Valtteri, as supposed to fourth. He was also, way, way, way off his teammate.
Max Verstappen – A*
I meant, what else could I give him? Max Verstappen lead more laps than the other nineteen drivers combined. Even with the bits of controversy considered, of which there were multiple examples throughout the season such as the much discussed finale, it is hard to look past how much the Dutchman excelled this year. He deserved to win the world title on his performances this year, just perhaps not quite in the way he did. Had incidents out of his control, such as in Silverstone and Azerbaijan, not played out as they had done, then he may have been World Champion a few weeks sooner. There is little point in studying the “what if’s” of Formula 1 in too much detail, but you cannot look past the fact that Max was the standout driver this year. The Red Bull car he was in was, arguably, the best, and of course that helps. Moreover, his crew frequently won the fastest pit stop awards. Full credit, however must go to Verstappen himself. As students go, I have taught a few that mirrored his showings. The standout student who has worked hard to be top of the class, even is he was given all the best tools to do so. He beat one of, if not the, beat drivers of all time racing head-to-head. He will always have that, and he will always be the 2021 world champion. Nobody can take that away from him.
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