F1 drivers ranked – The Top 10!

Part 2 – By Joe Murphy

#10 – Carlos Sainz

Carlos is a talented driver, although he is unquestionably the number two driver at Ferrari. He needs more race wins to his name to be any higher on this list. That may come in the future, so watch this space for the Spaniard.

#9 – Pierre Gasly

The French driver has had a stellar career to date. A win. Podiums for two different teams and has outperformed all but one of his teammates to date, tmwith the exception being in a very difficult car. Whether or not he could be a future world champion remains to be seen, perhaps that’s a step too far. However, there’s no doubting his obvious talent.

#8 – Valtteri Bottas

Now, on current form, the Finn doesn’t deserve his top ten spot. Critics may say he only won races and podiums in the best car on the grid, but to those people I say; he was in that car for a reason. His team play, consistency and racecraft at Williams was impeccable and the numbers for Mercedes don’t lie. He was a key part of their constructors success for a decade. He leaves, and look what happens. He’s in a poor car currently, but is still a top driver.

#7 – George Russell

A hugely talented driver again, and on historical results, would have to feature below Bottas on this list. However, to outperform Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes in his first year with the team, takes some doing. Moreover, his record at Williams was the most impressive of any driver on the grid in terms of head to head and relative pace to car. The only way is up for the British driver.

#6 – Sergio Perez

The Mexican has been in F1 for well over a decade and it’s easy to see why. He is consistent, a team player and arguably the best defensive driver on the grid. He’s a large part of Red Bill’s recent success and the only reason he’s not higher is the current gap to teammate highlights he’s not at the top level. However, he has succeeded where Gasly and Albon have failed.

#5 – Charles Leclerc

Granted, he’s made some mistakes, but Charles Leclerc is an incredible driver. He finished second last year in a car that wasn’t the best on the grid. Moreover, he has an impressive number of wins and his head-to-head record is in his favour. His pace for Sauber was nothing like the team had ever seen and he more than held his own against Vettel in his first season with the team. A future world champion if Ferrari get their act together.

#4 – Lando Norris

Arguably the most controversial call. A man with no race wins in at number four. However, Lando is one of the most naturally talented drivers on the grid. He has never been outpaced by a teammate, even in his rookie season. He has put his McLaren up at the front where it had and has no right to be. It’s a case of ‘when’ not ‘if’ his first race win comes. Many will follow rest assured.

#3 – Fernando Alonso

One of the best ever, with probably the worst track record of choosing teams at the wrong time. I’m glad he’s had his run at Aston Martin to remind fans how good the Spaniard can be. The gap to teammates has always said it all. There was only one who outdid him, and he’s yet to come on this list.

Who is number 1? Hamilton of Verstappen… https://wheel2wheelreports.com/2023/08/30/f1-drivers-ranked-max-or-lewis-for-1/