2024 Singapore Grand Prix F1 Driver Power Rankings

The Singapore Grand Prix consistently stands as one of the most physically and mentally demanding races on the Formula 1 calendar. Its unique street circuit layout, combined with the searing humidity and high temperatures, pushes drivers and machines to their absolute limits. The 2024 edition proved no exception, delivering a thrilling spectacle where strategic mastery, raw pace, and sheer resilience determined success. This year, the absence of a Safety Car intervention meant no convenient reset for drivers or teams, intensifying the challenge and putting every strategic decision under immense scrutiny. While one driver delivered a truly dominant performance, others throughout the field carved out impressive results against faster machinery, showcasing their skill and determination. Conversely, some underperformed, making costly errors or failing to capitalize on opportunities. Here, RaceFans presents its comprehensive driver ratings for the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, offering a detailed analysis of each competitor’s weekend performance.

A Guide to RaceFans’ Driver Ratings System

RaceFans’ comprehensive driver ratings system is designed to assess individual driver performance across all three days of a Grand Prix weekend. Naturally, performances during the competitive sessions – qualifying, sprint races (where applicable), and the main Grand Prix – carry the most significant weight in determining a driver’s final score. However, practice performance also plays a crucial role and can influence a driver’s overall weekend rating.

For instance, a major mistake such as a significant crash, consistent errors observed throughout free practice sessions, or a driver showcasing notably impressive speed relative to their team mate across all practice sessions will be factored into their final assessment. This holistic approach ensures that a driver’s full contribution and any notable events are considered, painting a complete picture of their weekend.

The system is meticulously crafted to take into account the relative performance capabilities of each driver’s car and the expected results stemming from that machinery. This means that a driver who secures a dominant race win in a car that is clearly superior to the rest of the field may not necessarily achieve a higher rating than a driver who claims a low points finish or an impressively high position in a midfield car. The emphasis is on maximizing potential given the equipment at their disposal and the context of their specific machinery.

Furthermore, our ratings conscientiously attempt to factor in mitigating circumstances that are beyond a driver’s direct control. If a driver is forced to miss considerable track time due to unforeseen car problems, becomes the victim of being unfairly blocked during a crucial qualifying run, finishes significantly lower than anticipated because of a heavily botched pit stop, or suffers any other misfortune that they cannot reasonably be expected to control, their rating is not penalised for these external factors. This ensures a fair and unbiased assessment of their individual performance, isolating the driver’s contribution.

RaceFans rates each driver’s weekend performance on a precise scale of 0 to 10, where a score of ‘5’ is firmly considered to be a typically average weekend performance from a competent, average Formula 1 driver. This benchmark helps contextualize each score within the highly competitive F1 landscape, providing a clear reference point. Below is a detailed guide to what each possible score signifies:

N/A – Not Applicable – No rating is given as the driver did not sufficiently participate in the competitive sessions (e.g., did not start the race or only completed a few laps).
0 – Disqualified – Reserved for the most extreme instances where a driver’s conduct or infraction leads to their disqualification from participation or the nullification of their results from the entire event.
1 – Appalling – An utterly appalling display that brings a driver’s fundamental competency and suitability for Formula 1 under immediate question, marked by severe shortcomings.
2 – Awful – A very poor performance characterized by repeated, significant errors with almost no redeeming qualities or moments of proficiency throughout the entire weekend.
3 – Very Bad – A weekend dominated by far more negatives than positives, indicating a performance a driver should be extremely disappointed with, falling well below expectations.
4 – Underperformance – The driver failed to achieve the basic level of performance expected for a Formula 1 driver, missing critical targets and showing clear room for improvement.
5 – Acceptable – The standard, expected level of performance that should be delivered by a Formula 1 driver; neither outstanding nor overtly poor, simply meeting baseline requirements.
6 – Good – A decent and solid overall performance across the weekend, demonstrating competence and consistency, but not standing out as one of the very best drives.
7 – Very Good – A strong and commendable performance across the entire weekend that any driver should be very pleased with, showing notable skill and often exceeding minor expectations.
8 – Brilliant – A truly great weekend where the driver’s performance stood out prominently as one of the absolute best within the field, demonstrating exceptional control and pace.
9 – Exceptional – An outstanding and remarkable performance that ranks among the best, if not the very best, witnessed over the entire season, showcasing extraordinary talent and execution.
10 – Legendary – One of the select few all-time greatest performances delivered by a driver in the illustrious history of Formula 1, an unforgettable and flawless display that transcends the ordinary.

Max Verstappen – 8/10: Resilience and Race Maximization

After a tough run of races, Verstappen was back to his best

Qualified: 2nd (+11 places ahead of team mate, -0.899s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 2nd (+8 places ahead of team mate)

▲ Secured a strong front row start in qualifying, though his fastest Q3 lap was unfortunately lost due to yellow flags caused by a rival’s incident.
▲ Expertly held off a challenging Lewis Hamilton to maintain second place at the fiercely contested start, demonstrating characteristic composure.
▼ Was unable to genuinely match Lando Norris’s blistering pace and superior car performance during the crucial first stint of the race.
▼ Pitted for hard tyres, but continued to fall further behind the leader, highlighting Red Bull’s relative struggle for outright pace on this specific circuit.
▲ Despite the underlying pace deficit, he steadily closed the gap to Norris in the latter stages, ultimately finishing a respectable second, over 20 seconds adrift.

After a challenging period for Red Bull, Max Verstappen showcased precisely why he is a multi-world champion in Singapore. While the McLaren MCL38 appeared to have a clear performance advantage, especially in race trim, Verstappen arguably extracted every ounce of potential from his RB20. His qualifying performance, securing a front-row start, was commendable, particularly given that his fastest lap, which could have been even quicker, was invalidated by yellow flags. At the start, he demonstrated characteristic composure and race craft by fending off Lewis Hamilton, ensuring he remained in a prime position.

Throughout the race, despite not being able to match Norris’s leading pace, Verstappen managed his tyres with typical precision and kept the gap as tight as possible under the circumstances. Finishing second in a car that was, by many accounts, not the fastest or even second-fastest on the grid, underscores his exceptional ability to “make the difference” when it truly counts. This was a masterclass in damage limitation and maximizing an imperfect weekend, solidifying his championship credentials even when outright victory was out of reach. His performance was a testament to his consistent high level, even on difficult days for the team and circuit.

Sergio Perez – 4/10: A Weekend to Forget

Qualified: 13th (-11 places behind team mate, +0.899s)
Start: +3 places
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 10th (-8 places behind team mate)

▼ Suffered an early exit in Q2, qualifying a disappointing 13th and openly complaining about his tyre performance, indicating a lack of confidence.
▲ Made an encouraging start, gaining three positions on the opening lap to climb into tenth place, a strong initial recovery.
▼ Struggled significantly to pass Franco Colapinto, despite having several laps with DRS advantage before eventually pitting for hard tyres, highlighting a lack of decisive pace.
▲ Successfully undercut Colapinto during the pit stops, but then immediately found himself stuck behind Nico Hulkenberg for a frustrating number of laps, unable to progress.
▼ Ultimately took the final championship point in tenth position, but finished a full lap down on the leaders, highlighting a considerable performance deficit to his team mate.

Sergio Perez candidly described his Singapore Grand Prix weekend as a “complete disaster,” a sentiment largely echoed by observers and his results. While he specifically referenced a strategy that failed to create sufficient undercut opportunities, the root cause of his struggles lay, once again, in a significant and persistent performance gap to his team mate, Max Verstappen. Qualifying 13th, a massive 11 places and almost 0.9 seconds behind Verstappen, immediately put him on the back foot at a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult and starting position is crucial.

Despite a decent start that saw him gain a few positions, his subsequent inability to swiftly pass midfield cars like Colapinto’s Williams and Hulkenberg’s Haas was alarming for a driver in a Red Bull. These prolonged battles not only cost him valuable time but also highlighted a lack of decisive pace and confidence. Finishing a lap down and scraping a single point in what is often considered the most dominant car on the grid is simply not the standard expected of a Red Bull driver. This weekend further intensified questions about his long-term future with the team, as he failed to capitalize on any potential, ending his race feeling utterly frustrated with his own and the car’s performance.

Lewis Hamilton – 6/10: Strategic Gambles and Frustration

Qualified: 3rd (+1 place ahead of team mate, -0.026s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (S-H)
Finished: 6th (-2 places behind team mate)

▲ Out-qualified his team mate to secure an impressive third place on the grid, demonstrating strong one-lap pace and expertise.
▼ Started on soft tyres but could not convert this initial advantage into gaining positions, settling for remaining third at the chaotic start.
▼ Made an early stop for hard tyres, rejoining the race in 13th position, a high-risk gamble on an early Safety Car that never materialized.
▲ Passed several slower cars efficiently during his long stint, but was ultimately overcut by his team mate, dropping him to fourth.
▼ Overtaken first by Oscar Piastri, and then later caught and passed by Charles Leclerc, losing crucial positions in the closing stages.
▼ Finished a visibly frustrated sixth place, almost 25 seconds behind his team mate, reflecting a challenging and unrewarding race.

Lewis Hamilton’s Singapore Grand Prix was heavily influenced by a high-risk strategy that ultimately failed to pay off, leaving him visibly frustrated and requiring rest due to heat-related fatigue after the grueling event. Starting on soft tyres was a bold attempt by Mercedes to jump Max Verstappen and potentially Lando Norris, especially if there was an early Safety Car. However, when this crucial scenario didn’t materialize and he couldn’t gain positions at the start, Hamilton’s race became an immediate uphill battle against the odds.

His early pit stop committed him to a long, arduous second stint on hard tyres, effectively betting on a Safety Car intervention that never came. While he fought hard to make up positions through the midfield, the inherent tyre disadvantage against rivals on fresher or better-suited rubber, combined with strategic overcuts by others, saw him gradually fade down the order. Being overtaken by both Piastri and Leclerc late in the race, and finishing so far behind George Russell, highlighted the critical shortcomings of the chosen strategy. Despite his strong qualifying performance, the race largely unravelled for Hamilton, denying him a genuine opportunity to contend for a higher placing through no fault of his own on track.

George Russell – 6/10: A Solid, Conventional Drive

Russell beat Leclerc to fourth place

Qualified: 4th (-1 place behind team mate, +0.026s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 4th (+2 places ahead of team mate)

▼ Suffered a minor setback by damaging his front wing at Turn Eight during second practice, impacting valuable running time.
▲ Lined up directly behind his team mate in a strong fourth position on the grid, setting up a potential two-pronged attack for Mercedes.
▲ Ran consistently behind Hamilton in the early stages until his team mate pitted, then executed his own well-timed stop for hard tyres.
▲ Rejoined the race in fifth after his pit stop, strategically gaining third when Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri eventually pitted, showcasing good race management.
▼ Was later overtaken by a charging Piastri, and then came under immense pressure from Leclerc in the closing stages, requiring strong defence.
▲ Showed impressive defensive driving to hold off Leclerc, despite having tyres almost 10 laps older, securing a valuable fourth-place finish.

George Russell left Singapore with a satisfactory fourth-place finish, a result he had undoubtedly hoped for more from, especially given Mercedes’ strong qualifying positions. Unlike Lewis Hamilton, Russell benefited from a more conventional and arguably safer strategy, which he executed effectively. His race was characterized by consistent pace and a crucial defensive drive against Charles Leclerc in the final laps, where he successfully held off the Ferrari despite a significant tyre age disadvantage and intense pressure, demonstrating maturity.

However, Russell’s weekend wasn’t entirely flawless. Being out-qualified by his team mate, albeit by a tiny margin, and not making any significant overtakes on track during the race prevent a higher score. While his defence against Leclerc was commendable and required considerable skill, the overall trajectory of his race saw him largely maintain position rather than actively progress through the field. It was a solid, professional performance, maximizing the conventional strategy, but lacking the standout moments that would push it into the ‘very good’ or ‘brilliant’ categories, especially given the car’s inherent potential.

Charles Leclerc – 6/10: Recovery After Qualifying Frustration

Qualified: 9th (+1 place ahead of team mate, -0.361s)
Start: +1 place
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 5th (+2 places ahead of team mate)

▼ Qualified a disappointing ninth after losing his only Q3 lap due to exceeding track limits, a costly and unnecessary error.
▲ Ran behind Fernando Alonso in the early stages, effectively extending his opening stint to open up strategic options for Ferrari.
▲ Pitted for hard tyres on lap 36, rejoining the race in eighth position, benefiting from a well-timed and efficient stop.
▲ Expertly overtook Alonso to claim seventh, and was then strategically allowed past his team mate, Carlos Sainz Jnr, to continue his charge.
▲ Made a crucial pass on Lewis Hamilton for fifth place but, despite closing significantly, was ultimately unable to overtake George Russell despite catching him late.
▲ Finished fifth, just 1.4 seconds behind Russell, indicating a strong recovery drive but a missed opportunity for P4.

Charles Leclerc himself admitted that the Singapore Grand Prix was not one of his finest weekends, a sentiment born from a critical qualifying error. His performance on Saturday was marred by losing his only Q3 lap due to track limits, an unforced mistake that relegated him to a disappointing ninth on the grid. While he initially cited cold tyres as a factor, he later accepted full responsibility for the blunder, acknowledging it put Ferrari at a significant disadvantage from the outset on a challenging circuit.

However, Leclerc demonstrated commendable recovery in the race. He managed his medium tyres effectively during a long first stint, showcasing good pace and tyre preservation. He then made good progress through the field in his second stint, culminating in crucial overtakes on experienced drivers like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. The strategic decision for Carlos Sainz to let him pass also aided his charge and was a sensible team call. His strong late-race pace allowed him to close significantly on George Russell, but he ultimately fell short of taking fourth place. This race highlighted his ability to fight back from adversity, but the initial qualifying blunder and the inability to complete the comeback by passing Russell prevent a higher rating, leaving a taste of what might have been.

Carlos Sainz Jnr – 5/10: Mixed Fortunes and Missed Potential

Crash in qualifying spoiled Sainz’s weekend

Qualified: 10th (-1 place behind team mate, +0.361s)
Start: -2 places
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 7th (-2 places behind team mate)

▼ Crashed out of Q3, an uncharacteristic and impactful error that left him starting a frustrating tenth on the grid.
▼ Received a fine for crossing the track without permission after his qualifying incident, adding to his woes and demonstrating a lapse in judgment.
▼ Lost two crucial places at the start, startled by Franco Colapinto’s aggressive and well-executed move into Turn One.
▼ Was unable to quickly overtake Yuki Tsunoda, prompting an early pit stop for hard tyres and a deviation from the ideal strategy.
▲ Mounted a strong recovery drive during his second stint, passing several cars to climb to sixth place before being caught by his team mate.
▼ Allowed Charles Leclerc through, dropping to seventh where he ultimately finished the race, a team-oriented but personally costly decision.

Carlos Sainz’s Singapore Grand Prix was a weekend of contrasts and missed opportunities, ultimately falling short of the significant potential his Ferrari machine offered. While finishing seventh after starting tenth might seem a decent recovery on paper, it felt somewhat underwhelming given the Ferrari’s inherent pace advantage over many midfield rivals. The defining moment of his weekend was undoubtedly his Q3 crash – a bizarre and uncharacteristic error for which he could not be entirely excused. This incident not only compromised his starting position but also led to a penalty for crossing the track, highlighting a momentary lapse in discipline.

His race start further compounded the issues; leaving too much space on the inside at Turn One allowed rookie Franco Colapinto to capitalize, costing him valuable positions he then had to fight to regain. While he showed good pace during his second stint, making several overtakes, these were largely on slower cars or drivers who pitted later, meaning he wasn’t making truly impactful gains on direct rivals. The decision to yield to Leclerc, while team-oriented, also meant he finished further down the order. Sainz certainly salvaged some points, but his qualifying error and early race struggles meant he never fully capitalized on the Ferrari’s potential, leaving a persistent sense of ‘what if’ hanging over his performance.

Lando Norris – 7/10: Dominance with a Dash of Caution

Norris brushed the walls on his way to win

Qualified: Pole (+4 places ahead of team mate, -0.428s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: Winner (+2 places ahead of team mate)

▲ Secured his fourth pole position in six races, showcasing exceptional one-lap pace and growing consistency.
▲ Expertly held the lead from pole for the first time in his career, converting his starting advantage effectively and cleanly.
▲ Demonstrated superior pace, pulling away from Max Verstappen with remarkable ease in the opening stint, highlighting the car’s strength.
▼ Suffered minor front wing damage after an unforced error, brushing the wall at Turn 14, a potentially costly mistake in a tighter race.
▲ Pitted for hard tyres and rejoined securely in the lead, thanks to his earlier significant advantage over the field.
▲ Controlled the pace brilliantly out front, leading every lap and winning by a commanding 20 seconds, a truly dominant display.

Lando Norris was undoubtedly the dominant force of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, clinching pole position, leading every single lap, and ultimately winning by a substantial margin of over 20 seconds. His speed in both qualifying and the race was exceptional, unequivocally underlining McLaren’s significant progress and their car’s suitability for the Marina Bay circuit. Securing his fourth pole in recent races demonstrated his one-lap mastery, and his ability to convert that pole into an unchallenged lead for the first time in his career was a testament to his growing confidence and meticulous race management skills.

However, despite this overwhelming dominance, a ’10’ rating is just out of reach for two key reasons. Firstly, the sheer performance advantage of the McLaren MCL38 on Sunday was undeniable. Max Verstappen, a benchmark of consistent excellence, simply could not match Norris’s rhythm in the opening stint, which strongly suggests a significant car advantage contributing to the magnitude of the victory. Secondly, Norris committed a completely unforced error on lap 29, brushing the wall at Turn 14. While the damage was minor and he had a significant lead to absorb it, in a closer race, such a mistake could have easily cost him the win. This small blemish, combined with the car’s clear superiority, places his exceptional performance just shy of legendary status, yet it was still a remarkable and emphatic victory that speaks volumes about his potential.

Oscar Piastri – 6/10: Steady Progress, Room for More

Qualified: 5th (-4 places behind team mate, +0.428s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 3rd (-2 places behind team mate)

▼ Failed to maximize his qualifying potential, being three tenths slower in Q3 than his Q2 lap, suggesting missed opportunities and a gap to his team mate.
▲ Lost a position to Nico Hulkenberg at the start but swiftly reclaimed it with a decisive and well-executed move into Turn Seven.
▲ Executed a long opening stint effectively, extending until lap 38, before making his pit stop for hard tyres and maintaining good tyre management.
▲ Rejoined in fifth, then quickly made two strong and assertive overtakes on Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to ascend to third place.
▲ Was unable to significantly close the gap to Max Verstappen ahead, but comfortably claimed the final podium spot in third, a solid result.

Following his impressive showing the previous weekend in Baku, Singapore presented a more familiar challenge for Oscar Piastri, where he once again found himself unable to consistently match the stellar pace of his team mate, Lando Norris, across Saturday and Sunday. His qualifying session, while securing a respectable fifth place, was somewhat under par; he was slower in Q3 than Q2, indicating that more potential could have been extracted from the McLaren. This gap to Norris, over four tenths of a second, was notable and highlighted areas for improvement.

In the race, Piastri delivered a solid and intelligent performance. He recovered quickly from losing a place at the start and then made crucial gains after his pit stop, executing two strong overtakes on the Mercedes cars of Hamilton and Russell. These passes, particularly considering the strength of his McLaren and a potential tyre advantage from his strategy, were well-judged and essential for securing his podium finish. However, given the outright pace of the McLaren package on the day, a more dominant performance relative to the midfield might have been expected, or a closer fight with Verstappen. It was a good result and a valuable podium, but the slight underperformance in qualifying and the inability to challenge higher up prevent a higher grade.

Fernando Alonso – 7/10: Asturian Magician at Work

Qualified: 7th (+10 places ahead of team mate, -0.41s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 8th (+6 places ahead of team mate)

▲ Expertly squeezed into Q3, maximizing the Aston Martin’s performance, before qualifying an impressive seventh, a testament to his skill.
▲ Maintained his starting position at the outset, running behind Nico Hulkenberg but unable to find a clear overtaking opportunity.
▲ Executed a well-timed pit stop for hard tyres, successfully undercutting Hulkenberg, though later passed by Charles Leclerc on fresher rubber.
▲ Demonstrated excellent tyre management and consistent pace, keeping close to Carlos Sainz ahead and crucially preventing Hulkenberg from re-entering DRS range behind.
▲ Claimed a well-earned eighth place as the ‘best of the rest’ among the midfield, albeit finishing one lap down, maximizing his car’s potential.

Fernando Alonso once again delivered a performance that belied the true pace of his Aston Martin, earning him the unofficial ‘best of the rest’ title in Singapore. Considering his starting position and the ultimate finish, Aston Martin could hardly have hoped for a better result, especially in a race with no safety car interventions or top-team retirements to shuffle the pack. His ability to extract every last tenth from his car in qualifying to reach Q3 and then secure seventh on the grid was a testament to his enduring skill and unparalleled experience.

In the race, Alonso drove with his characteristic blend of aggression and intelligence. He pulled off a crucial undercut on Nico Hulkenberg during the pit stops, a move that secured him a better track position against a direct rival. He then demonstrated superb race management, maintaining pace with Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari ahead and crucially keeping Hulkenberg out of DRS range behind him, showcasing brilliant defensive driving. While he finished right behind Sainz, the tyre age advantage he held over the Ferrari might suggest a higher position was possible with more aggression, but given the relative strengths of the cars, four well-earned points and eighth place is an excellent outcome. It was another masterclass from the veteran, comprehensively maximizing his package.

Lance Stroll – 4/10: A Familiar Struggle

Once again, Stroll lagged behind Alonso

Qualified: 17th (-10 places behind team mate, +0.41s)
Start: -1 place
Strategy: One-stop (H-M)
Finished: 14th (-6 places behind team mate)

▼ Failed to progress out of Q1, starting a lowly 17th, significantly off his team mate’s impressive pace.
▼ Started on hard tyres but immediately dropped behind Pierre Gasly at the start, running in 18th position.
▼ Pitted for mediums on lap 26, which saw him fall to last position on track, indicating a strategy that did not pay off.
▲ Ran behind Kevin Magnussen before gaining a place when Magnussen suffered an unfortunate puncture.
▼ Finished 14th, almost 50 seconds behind his team mate, highlighting a substantial and consistent performance deficit throughout the weekend.

Lance Stroll’s Singapore Grand Prix was, unfortunately, a familiar story for the Canadian driver, starkly contrasting with his team mate’s exceptional performance. The statistics alone paint a clear picture: qualifying 17th, a full 10 places and over four-tenths of a second behind Fernando Alonso, immediately set the tone for a challenging weekend. While Alonso was fighting for Q3 and points, extracting maximum performance, Stroll appeared to be in a different race entirely, struggling for outright pace throughout all sessions.

Despite not making any major, glaring mistakes on track, Stroll was simply too slow relative to his team mate and the car’s potential. His strategy, starting on hard tyres, was an attempt to gain track position later in the race, but it failed to materialize any significant gains, especially with the critical lack of a Safety Car. He lost positions at the start and never truly recovered, ultimately finishing a distant 14th, nearly a minute behind his team mate. This consistent, large performance gap to Alonso, particularly at a circuit demanding precision, confidence, and peak performance, raises ongoing questions about his consistency and ability to extract the maximum from the Aston Martin package. It was a weekend of underperformance.

Pierre Gasly – 5/10: A Frustrating, Unrewarded Effort

Qualified: 18th (-3 places behind team mate, +0.354s)
Start: +1 place
Strategy: One-stop (M-S)
Finished: 17th (-4 places behind team mate)

▼ Was baffled by a sudden and unexplained loss of pace in qualifying, leading to an early elimination in Q1 and a compromised starting position.
▲ Made a good start, passing Lance Stroll on the opening lap, demonstrating quick reflexes.
▼ Executed a long opening stint, attempting to hold up rivals to potentially benefit his team mate and desperately hoping for a Safety Car that never came.
▼ Pitted for hard tyres on lap 37, falling to last position after a slow pit stop compounded his already difficult race.
▼ Was ultimately unable to pass Valtteri Bottas, largely due to Sauber’s effective team tactics, settling for a disappointing 17th place.

Pierre Gasly endured a largely unrewarding Singapore Grand Prix weekend, feeling that circumstances conspired against him at every turn. His frustrations began in qualifying, where a puzzling lack of pace resulted in an unexpected Q1 exit, placing him significantly behind his team mate, Esteban Ocon. This initial setback dictated a defensive and highly strategic race from the outset, aiming for damage limitation rather than progression.

His team opted for an aggressive long first stint on medium tyres, a gamble clearly designed to maximize gains if a Safety Car emerged – a gamble that, unfortunately, did not pay off on this occasion. Despite his efforts to manage tyres and defend, his strategy was ultimately compromised further by a slow pit stop, which cost him crucial track position. The latter stages of the race saw him battling Valtteri Bottas, but Sauber’s intelligent team tactics, effectively using Guanyu Zhou to give Bottas DRS, meant Gasly simply couldn’t make the pass. Understandably, he left Singapore feeling deeply frustrated with his lowly finishing position, reflecting a weekend where effort didn’t translate into results due to a combination of factors, including car pace and uncooperative strategy calls.

Esteban Ocon – 6/10: A Competent and Error-Free Drive

Ocon did a fine job to reach Q2

Qualified: 15th (+3 places ahead of team mate, -0.354s)
Start: +2 places
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 13th (+4 places ahead of team mate)

▲ Successfully reached Q2, unlike his team mate, before being eliminated in 15th, a solid and commendable effort for Alpine given their car’s pace.
▲ Made an excellent start, passing Kevin Magnussen and Alexander Albon to climb to 13th in the early laps, showcasing sharp race craft.
▲ Executed his pit stop for hard tyres efficiently, maintaining track position between Yuki Tsunoda and Magnussen through effective strategy.
▲ Overtook the ailing Daniel Ricciardo to secure 13th place, where he would ultimately finish the race, maximizing his opportunities.

Esteban Ocon delivered a commendable and largely error-free performance in Singapore, especially considering Alpine’s relative struggles on this particular circuit compared to many of their midfield rivals. His ability to reach Q2, while his team mate Pierre Gasly was knocked out in Q1, immediately set him apart as the faster of the two Alpine drivers over the weekend. This initial advantage was crucial at a track where qualifying position is paramount and overtaking is a premium.

In the race, Ocon built on his solid qualifying with an excellent start, gaining two positions to place himself firmly in contention within the midfield pack. He drove a clean, consistent race, managing his tyres well and crucially making no significant mistakes – a welcome change from some of his earlier, more incident-prone performances this season. While 13th place doesn’t yield championship points, it represents a maximum extraction from the Alpine package on the day, particularly with no Safety Car to offer external opportunities. It was a professional, disciplined, and efficient drive, consolidating his position as the lead Alpine driver for the weekend.

Alexander Albon – 5/10: Unlucky Retirement

Qualified: 11th (+1 place ahead of team mate, -0.007s)
Start: -4 places
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 20th (-9 places behind team mate)

▲ Had the sole benefit of a revised suspension package for the weekend, a minor but important advantage over his team mate.
▼ Just narrowly missed out on Q3 by an agonizing 0.026 seconds, admitting he left valuable time on the table in his qualifying lap.
▼ Lost four crucial places at the start, dropping to 15th, necessitating an early and reactive pit stop for hard tyres.
▼ Was unfortunately forced to retire on lap 15 due to an overheating car, ending his race prematurely and through no fault of his own.

Alexander Albon’s Singapore Grand Prix weekend was one of frustration, culminating in an early and unavoidable retirement that robbed him of a chance to fight. While he out-qualified his rookie team mate, Franco Colapinto, by a whisker, Albon himself admitted that he hadn’t fully maximized his potential in qualifying, especially considering he had the sole upgraded suspension package on his Williams. Missing out on Q3 by such a fine margin was a tough pill to swallow, knowing more was possible.

His race start proved to be another setback, as he lost four positions, which is particularly detrimental on the tight and unforgiving Marina Bay circuit where track position is king. This forced an early strategic call for an undercut, but his race was abruptly ended on lap 15 due to an overheating car – an issue entirely beyond his control. This unlucky retirement means we’ll never know if he could have recovered points or made significant progress through the field. While his qualifying had room for improvement and his start was poor, the retirement overshadows any potential comeback, leading to an average score that reflects the mixed bag of the weekend before misfortune cruelly struck.

Franco Colapinto – 7/10: F1-Worthy Talent Shines

Bold start brought Colapinto close to the points

Qualified: 12th (-1 place behind team mate, +0.007s)
Start: +3 places
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 11th (+9 places ahead of team mate)

▼ Ran without the revised suspension upgrade over the weekend, putting him at a disadvantage relative to his team mate, Albon.
▲ Eliminated from Q2 in 12th, but impressively matched his team mate’s time despite the equipment difference, feeling he could have reached Q3.
▲ Gained three crucial positions at the start with an excellently-judged, brave move into Turn One, showcasing remarkable race craft for a rookie.
▲ Held off the Red Bull of Sergio Perez for a significant portion of the race before eventually pitting for hard tyres at the mid-point, a heroic defence.
▼ Was subsequently undercut by Perez and then unable to get back within DRS range of the faster Red Bull, losing a hard-fought position.
▲ Finished a strong 11th, just outside the points, admitting to “struggling physically” in the grueling later laps, highlighting the immense challenge.

Just three rounds into his Formula 1 career, and having tackled two of the most physically demanding circuits on the calendar (Baku and Singapore), Franco Colapinto continues to emphatically prove he is an F1-worthy talent. Despite running without the revised suspension package that his team mate, Alexander Albon, had, Colapinto remarkably matched Albon’s qualifying time, even believing a tidier lap could have seen him reach Q3. This raw speed, adaptability, and natural talent are incredibly impressive for a rookie, especially on such a demanding street circuit.

His race was equally stellar. The expertly judged and brave move into Turn One at the start, gaining three positions, was undoubtedly a highlight of the day and a testament to his race craft. What followed was a demonstration of mature defensive driving, as he impressively held off the faster Red Bull of Sergio Perez for numerous laps, earning praise from the Mexican himself. He never looked out of place in a competitive midfield gaggle that included experienced drivers like Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, and Perez. While he eventually succumbed to the Red Bull’s superior pace via an undercut, finishing 11th, just outside the points, was a heroic effort. His admission of physical struggles in the later stages only underlines the immense challenge he overcame. Another truly impressive weekend from the Argentine, solidifying his F1 credentials.

Yuki Tsunoda – 6/10: Strong Qualifying, Tricky Race

Qualified: 8th (+8 places ahead of team mate, -0.369s)
Start: -3 places
Strategy: One-stop (M-S)
Finished: 12th (+6 places ahead of team mate)

▲ Reached Q3 with a superb qualifying performance, securing an excellent eighth place on the grid for RB, demonstrating strong one-lap pace.
▼ Lost three crucial positions on the first lap, dropping to 11th in the chaotic Turn One squeeze, significantly compromising his race.
▲ Executed a long first stint effectively before pitting for soft tyres on lap 33, an aggressive strategy call aimed at late-race pace.
▲ Rejoined behind his team mate, Daniel Ricciardo, and was strategically allowed past to continue his charge.
▼ Ran consistently in 12th place until the finish, ultimately running out of laps to catch Franco Colapinto ahead, ending just outside points.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Singapore Grand Prix was a tale of two halves: a brilliant qualifying performance followed by a frustrating race that promised more. His ability to muscle the RB into Q3 and secure a superb eighth place on the grid was undoubtedly a standout moment of his weekend, once again positioning him as the stronger of the two RB drivers. This strong Saturday performance set high expectations for Sunday.

However, his race quickly unravelled at the start, where he was one of several drivers caught in the Turn One squeeze, losing three valuable positions. This early loss of track position is particularly detrimental on the tight Marina Bay circuit. The team’s aggressive medium-soft strategy, likely banking on a Safety Car that never appeared, also didn’t play out in his favour, leaving him struggling for grip in the latter stages. While he showed good pace in parts of the race and was strategically let through by his team mate, he couldn’t make up enough ground to contend for points, ultimately finishing 12th. His disappointment was understandable, as a strong qualifying had promised much more, but circumstances and an initial race hiccup prevented a higher reward.

Daniel Ricciardo – 5/10: A Final Chapter of Frustration

Like Hamilton, Ricciardo’s strategy gamble didn’t pay off

Qualified: 16th (-8 places behind team mate, +0.369s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: Three-stop (S-M-S-S)
Finished: 18th (-6 places behind team mate)

▼ Was knocked out of Q1 to his palpable disgust, significantly off his team mate’s pace, a recurring issue this season.
▼ Opted for soft tyres at the start but remained in 16th before making an early first pit stop for mediums, indicating a lack of initial gain.
▲ Pulled off some assertive overtaking moves, passing both Saubers and Pierre Gasly before strategically letting his team mate by, showcasing flashes of his old self.
▼ Lost two places in one corner as his tyres severely faded before his second stop for softs, highlighting tyre management struggles.
▲ Was called in by the team in the later laps for a fastest lap attempt on newer softs, which he successfully achieved, a small consolation.
▼ Finished 18th, a disappointing overall result, but managed to take the fastest lap on the penultimate lap.

If this indeed proves to be Daniel Ricciardo’s final Grand Prix, it was far from the fairytale ending the much-loved veteran would have envisioned for his illustrious Formula 1 career. Throughout the weekend, he was consistently unable to match the pace of his team mate, Yuki Tsunoda – a recurring theme this season that has plagued his performances. His Q1 exit was a significant disappointment, placing him on the back foot from the outset and limiting his strategic options.

His race was further complicated by an aggressive, multi-stop strategy that ultimately didn’t pay dividends in the absence of a Safety Car, a gamble that failed to yield rewards. While he demonstrated glimpses of his old overtaking prowess, passing a few cars through the midfield, his tyre degradation issues were evident, particularly when he lost two positions in one corner due to rapidly fading rubber. The opportunity to set the fastest lap, courtesy of his team, was a small consolation that allowed him to briefly shine, but it couldn’t mask an otherwise disappointing performance and a lack of consistent pace. Sadly, Singapore reinforced the challenging reality that Ricciardo hasn’t consistently recaptured the peak performance he displayed in his prime.

Valtteri Bottas – 5/10: Underwhelming and Aided by Team

Qualified: 19th (+1 place ahead of team mate, -0.482s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (H-M)
Finished: 16th (-1 place behind team mate)

▼ Eliminated from Q1, though he was ahead of his team mate, Guanyu Zhou, a minor positive in a difficult session.
▲ Took the start on hard tyres and successfully held his initial position, demonstrating a cautious but stable opening.
▼ Suffered with overheating brakes early in the race, leading to an unforced error at Turn Five and losing 19th place to his team mate, a costly mistake.
▲ Ran behind his team mate until pitting for mediums, successfully undercutting Pierre Gasly during the pit stop phase.
▲ Was strategically helped by his team mate, who deliberately kept him within DRS range, to defend against the persistent threat of Gasly, finishing 17th.

Valtteri Bottas has consistently been the stronger of the two Sauber drivers for the majority of the season, making his Singapore performance, where he was ultimately out-raced by his team mate, stand out as uncharacteristic. His Q1 exit was not ideal, but he did manage to out-qualify Zhou, offering a small silver lining to his Saturday. However, an early race error due to overheating brakes at Turn Five cost him a crucial position to his team mate, a place he surprisingly never managed to reclaim throughout the entire race, indicating a lack of decisive pace or opportunity.

While he successfully undercut Pierre Gasly during the pit stops, his ability to hold off the Alpine in the final stint was heavily reliant on smart, albeit controversial, team tactics. Guanyu Zhou deliberately stayed within DRS range of Bottas, providing him with a crucial aerodynamic advantage to neutralize Gasly’s threat. This assistance, while effective for the team’s overall strategy, means his final position was not solely a reflection of his individual pace or defensive skill. Bottas delivered a functional drive, but the unforced error and the reliance on team tactics prevent a higher score, marking an uncharacteristically understated weekend for him.

Zhou Guanyu – 6/10: Strategic Play and Strong Recovery

Zhou pounced on a mistake by Bottas

Qualified: 20th (-1 place behind team mate, +0.482s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (H-M)
Finished: 15th (+1 place ahead of team mate)

▼ Knocked out slowest in Q1, almost half a second behind his team mate, highlighting a persistent qualifying weakness.
▲ Started on hard tyres and maintained position behind his team mate in the early laps, executing a clean opening.
▲ Pulled off a great, opportunistic pass on his team mate Valtteri Bottas around the outside of Turn Seven, gaining 19th, a decisive move.
▲ Pitted for mediums and successfully undercut Pierre Gasly to move up to 18th, showing good strategic awareness.
▲ Strategically and deliberately kept his team mate within a second to provide DRS, aiding Bottas’s defence against Gasly, a strong team play.
▲ Gained 15th place when Kevin Magnussen and Daniel Ricciardo pitted or retired, where he ultimately finished, maximizing his track position.

Guanyu Zhou’s future in Formula 1 may hang in the balance, but his performance in Singapore served as a strong reminder that he’s far from the “lowest echelon” of drivers. Despite qualifying slowest in Q1, a consistent Achilles’ heel that he needs to address, his race performance was commendable, especially considering he was driving arguably the slowest car on the grid in a challenging Safety Car-free race. Finishing 15th was a creditable achievement, showcasing his determination and race craft.

A highlight of his race was the opportunistic and well-executed pass on his team mate, Valtteri Bottas, around the outside of Turn Seven – a brave and decisive move that demonstrated his racing instinct. He then went on to display excellent team awareness and strategic thinking by deliberately staying within DRS range of Bottas, effectively creating a two-car drag reduction system to fend off Pierre Gasly. This intelligent team play earned him praise and showcased his intelligence on track. While his qualifying still needs significant improvement to consistently match his rivals, his race craft, tyre management, and team contribution in Singapore were very strong, justifying a solid rating and reminding everyone of his capabilities.

Nico Hulkenberg – 8/10: Consistent Brilliance in the Midfield

Hulkenberg drove superbly to resist Perez

Qualified: 6th (+8 places ahead of team mate, -0.503s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 9th (+10 places ahead of team mate)

▲ Delivered an outstanding qualifying performance to reach Q3 and secure a fantastic sixth-place start, a remarkable achievement for Haas.
▲ Made a strong start, initially passing Oscar Piastri into Turn One, though he was later overtaken back by the McLaren into Turn Seven.
▲ Held off Fernando Alonso for the entire first stint, demonstrating impressive defensive driving, until eventually passed by Charles Leclerc before pitting for hard tyres.
▼ Was undercut by both Alonso and Carlos Sainz during the pit stop phase, dropping him to ninth, a consequence of his earlier long stint.
▲ Exhibited incredible defensive driving to hold off the faster Red Bull of Sergio Perez for the entire final stint, securing two crucial points in ninth.

Nico Hulkenberg continues to quietly produce some of the most outstanding and consistent performances in the Formula 1 midfield, and the Singapore Grand Prix was another prime example of his exceptional talent. It’s genuinely hard to imagine how his weekend could have gone better, even if he himself expressed slight disappointment with his race. His qualifying session was exceptional, muscling the Haas into Q3 and securing a fantastic sixth place on the grid, a full eight places and half a second ahead of his team mate, Kevin Magnussen – a truly remarkable achievement for the team.

In the race, despite falling back from his stellar starting position, this was largely expected given the superior machinery of the cars that eventually passed him (Ferrari, McLaren). What truly stood out was his incredible defensive driving. He held off Fernando Alonso, a master of race craft, for the entire first stint, showcasing his experience and tyre management. Then, even more impressively, he resisted the sustained pressure from Sergio Perez in the faster Red Bull for the entirety of the second stint on older tyres, denying the Red Bull driver any further points. Securing two valuable points in ninth place, while keeping a Red Bull behind him for so long, was a heroic effort and a testament to his race craft, tyre management, and consistent high level. A truly brilliant performance from the German veteran.

Kevin Magnussen – 4/10: Flashes of Promise, Costly Error

Qualified: 14th (-8 places behind team mate, +0.503s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: Two-stop (H-M-S)
Finished: 19th (-10 places behind team mate)

▼ Ran with an old-specification front wing throughout the weekend, a minor but acknowledged disadvantage.
▲ Successfully reached Q2 but was eliminated in 14th place, a decent effort despite the car limitations and wing spec.
▲ Started on hard tyres and maintained his 14th position in the early stages of the race, holding his ground.
▲ Pitted for mediums just before half-distance, rejoining behind Esteban Ocon, executing a standard stop.
▲ Pulled off an opportunistic and smart pass on Daniel Ricciardo immediately after Ocon had overtaken him, showcasing good race instinct.
▼ Suffered a puncture to his left-rear tyre after clipping the wall at Turn Five, forcing an unscheduled pit stop and destroying his race.
▼ Was ultimately called in to retire with five laps remaining, ending a challenging race prematurely.

As Kevin Magnussen’s Formula 1 career potentially heads towards its twilight, his final Singapore Grand Prix offered a microcosm of his driving style: flashes of robust racing intuition marred by costly errors. He was significantly out-qualified by his team mate, Nico Hulkenberg, starting a distant 14th while Hulkenberg secured P6. This large gap, even accounting for him running an older spec front wing, was a concerning indicator of his raw pace deficit compared to his team mate.

In the race, Magnussen showed solid pace and demonstrated his customary aggressive racing instincts, particularly with an opportunistic pass on Daniel Ricciardo. However, his race ultimately unravelled with a simple, unforced error – clipping the wall at Turn Five and suffering a puncture. This mistake, which forced an unscheduled pit stop and dropped him to the back of the field, was entirely avoidable and highlighted a recurring theme in his career where promising performances are undone by momentary lapses. While his fighting spirit was evident, the significant performance gap to Hulkenberg and the race-ending error mean this was a disappointing outing for Magnussen, reinforcing the challenges he faces to deliver consistent, clean weekends.

Over to you: Have Your Say!

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