Mid-season report card: We rate Hamilton and co on their year so far

Should have had at least two pole positions in 2018 but often finds a way to undo his good work. Could yet make things interesting if he wins a couple of races soon, which he’s shown more than enough speed to do.

Daniel Ricciardo – B+

Red Bull’s Aussie ace took superb wins in China and Monaco, but has seen Max Verstappen lead the Red Bull fight on a number of occasions.

Question marks remain over his outright pace, while his overtaking prowess was blotted by a disastrous collision with his team-mate in Azerbaijan.

Max Verstappen – B

Errors have blighted Verstappen’s season. They’ve come in all parts of the race weekend with a particularly disastrous time in China where he hit Vettel and Hamilton.

Ricciardo showed him the way that day, but in recent races it’s been the Dutch sensation who has had the upper hand in the fierce Red Bull scrap, winning in Austria.

Selected others:

Fernando Alonso – B+

Fernando Alonso boasts many great skills, but choosing the right team at the right time isn’t one of them.

The Spaniard has again been forced to haul the maximum from another underwhelming McLaren. The move to Renault power hasn’t brought the push up the grid, but Alonso is picking up every point he can, no matter how unlikely the chances.

Charles Leclerc – A+

Sauber’s Charles Leclerc might be the driver of the season so far. The 20-year-old has collected six points finishes and reached Q3 on a couple of occasions.

Started off with a ropey debut in Australia, but has come on song beautifully since, and is now letting his huge talent shine through. A Ferrari seat next season has been widely touted.

Romain Grosjean – D

From being tipped as Ferrari’s next driver, Romain Grosjean could soon be fighting for his seat in Formula One.

The Frenchman has endured a miserable season, littered with incidents. His spin behind the safety car in Azerbaijan was particularly embarrassing. Haas should be fourth instead of fifth in the constructors’ championship, and Grosjean’s continued errors are hurting them dearly.

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