Max Verstappen's ninth F1 victory in Qatar was a true masterclass. Despite a one-place grid penalty for driving too slowly in qualifying and blocking George Russell (who wasn't even on a fast lap), he still dominated. His consistent speed and ability to handle pressure make him a force to be reckoned with in the F1 world.

Uncover the F1 Driver Performances in Qatar

Max Verstappen – 9.5

Verstappen's dominance on the track was evident throughout the Qatar Grand Prix. His strategic driving and exceptional cornering skills allowed him to overtake his rivals with ease. Even with the penalty, he showed his true mettle and emerged victorious. His ability to stay focused and perform under pressure is what sets him apart from the rest.Another aspect that contributed to his success was his teamwork with the Red Bull team. They worked together seamlessly to optimize the car's performance and give Verstappen the edge he needed. His victory in Qatar was a testament to his hard work and dedication.

Zhou Guanyu – 9

Zhou Guanyu's performance in Qatar was truly remarkable. He out-qualified teammate Bottas on merit and drove a strong race to finish in the points. His precision and consistency behind the wheel were on full display. He made smart decisions on the track and was able to capitalize on opportunities when they arose.Zhou's ability to adapt to different track conditions and driving styles is one of his greatest strengths. He showed great composure in the face of adversity and was able to keep his cool even when things didn't go his way. His performance in Qatar earned him the respect of his peers and fans alike.

Fernando Alonso – 9

Alonso's performance in the midfield was outstanding. Despite Aston Martin struggling for raw performance and lacking straight-line speed, Alonso's inspired call to switch back onto the mediums for the Safety Car restart proved crucial. His strategic thinking and ability to read the race situation were on full display.Alonso's experience and knowledge of the sport were evident as he navigated through the challenging race conditions. He was able to make the most of every opportunity and extract the maximum performance from his car. His seventh-place finish was a testament to his skill and determination.

Pierre Gasly – 9

In recent rounds, Gasly has been one of F1's top performers, and Qatar was no exception. He was competitive throughout the race and secured a top five finish. His aggressive driving style and ability to take risks paid off as he fought his way through the field.Gasly's adaptability to different track layouts and driving styles is what makes him a valuable asset to his team. He is able to make quick adjustments and find the right line to gain an advantage over his rivals. His performance in Qatar was a reminder of his potential in the F1 world.

George Russell – 8.5

Russell's performance in Qatar was impressive, as he claimed back-to-back pole positions. His qualifying speed was unmatched, and he showed great confidence behind the wheel. However, his fourth-place finish in the race was a bit of a disappointment.Despite the penalty he picked up for a Safety Car infringement (which was inconsequential to the overall result), Russell still demonstrated his ability to handle pressure and perform at a high level. His consistency and determination make him a strong contender for the championship.

Charles Leclerc – 8.5

Leclerc had a tidy weekend overall. He was outperformed by Sainz in the sprint segment, but he clearly shone on race day. His ability to handle the car and make quick decisions on the track was evident. He was able to overtake his rivals and finish in a respectable position.Leclerc's determination and focus were on full display throughout the weekend. He didn't let the setbacks in the sprint affect his performance in the race, and he fought hard to secure a good result. His performance in Qatar was a sign of his potential to challenge for the championship in the future.

Kevin Magnussen – 8

Magnussen's performance in Qatar was a bit of a disappointment. He deserved better than ninth, as Haas were caught out by the timing of the Safety Car. His speed and skill were on par with his rivals, but he was unlucky to be caught in a difficult situation.Magnussen's ability to handle different track conditions and driving styles is well-known. He showed great determination in the race and fought hard to finish in 11th place. His performance was a reminder of his potential and the value he brings to the team.

Carlos Sainz – 7.5

Sainz had a mixed weekend in Qatar. He performed well in the sprint part of the weekend but struggled to match his teammate's pace in conventional qualifying and the race. He was unfortunate to pick up a puncture, which likely affected his performance.Sainz's ability to handle different track conditions and driving styles is evident. He showed great determination in the race and fought hard to finish in a respectable position. His performance was a reminder of his potential and the challenges he faces in a competitive team.

Oscar Piastri – 7

Piastri's weekend in Qatar was underwhelming. While he came away with a sprint race victory and podium, his overall performance was lacking. Without Norris' teamwork in the sprint, Russell would have likely overtaken him.Piastri's ability to handle different track conditions and driving styles is still developing. He showed some flashes of his potential but also struggled in certain areas. His performance in Qatar was a reminder of the challenges he faces as a young driver in the F1 world.

Valtteri Bottas – 7

Bottas was out-qualified by teammate Zhou, but he showed great determination in the race. A strong start put him in contention for points, but an incident with Lawson gave him minor floor damage early on.Bottas' experience and ability to handle different track conditions were on full display. He fought hard to finish 11th in the end and showed great sportsmanship throughout the weekend. His performance was a reminder of his value to the team.

Alex Albon – 6.5

Williams never had the pace to finish in the top 10, and Albon was no exception. He was tagged into a spin by Stroll on the opening lap and struggled to recover. His switch to the softs after the Safety Car didn't pay off in the end.Albon's ability to handle different track conditions and driving styles is still improving. He showed some moments of promise but also faced some challenges. His performance in Qatar was a reminder of the difficulties he faces as a driver in a struggling team.

Yuki Tsunoda – 6

Tsunoda had a great start but struggled to maintain the pace of his midfield rivals. Like Albon, his switch to the softs under the Safety Car didn't work out. His ability to handle different track conditions and driving styles is still developing.Tsunoda showed some flashes of his potential but also faced some setbacks. His performance in Qatar was a reminder of the challenges he faces as a young driver in the F1 world and the need for continued improvement.

Lando Norris – 5.5

Norris was lightning quick through the Qatar weekend but his good work was undone by a mistake. He failed to lift for double-waved yellow flags and picked up a 10-second stop-go penalty.Norris' ability to handle different track conditions and driving styles is well-known. He showed great speed and determination but also made some errors. His performance in Qatar was a reminder of the importance of attention to detail in the F1 world.

Liam Lawson – 5

Lawson had a scrappy weekend overall. He was penalized for an incident with Bottas and struggled to find his rhythm on the track. His performance was a bit inconsistent, and he faced some challenges in adapting to the Qatar track.Lawson's ability to handle different track conditions and driving styles is still developing. He showed some moments of promise but also faced some setbacks. His performance in Qatar was a reminder of the challenges he faces as a young driver in the F1 world.

Nico Hulkenberg – 5

Hulkenberg's weekend in Qatar was a bit of a rollercoaster. He starred in the sprint segment but struggled in qualifying. He was knocked out in Q1 and then had a clumsy incident on the opening lap that forced Ocon and Colapinto out of the race.Hulkenberg's experience and ability to handle different track conditions are well-known. He showed great speed and determination but also faced some challenges. His performance in Qatar was a reminder of the ups and downs of the F1 world.

Franco Colapinto – 5

Colapinto was unlucky at the start of the race. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and struggled to find his rhythm. His lack of pace relative to Albon was evident, and it was likely due to the shortage of parts at Williams.Colapinto's ability to handle different track conditions and driving styles is still developing. He showed some moments of promise but also faced some challenges. His performance in Qatar was a reminder of the difficulties he faces as a driver in a struggling team.

Lance Stroll – 4.5

Stroll's weekend in Qatar ended in disappointment. He collided with Albon on the opening lap and suffered some damage. The penalty from the stewards made it impossible for him to continue in the grand prix.Stroll's ability to handle different track conditions and driving styles is still improving. He showed some moments of promise but also faced some setbacks. His performance in Qatar was a reminder of the challenges he faces as a young driver in the F1 world.

Esteban Ocon – 4.5

Ocon's final weekend with Alpine was a forgettable one. He was off the pace from the start and out at the first corner. His performance was a bit inconsistent, and he faced some challenges in adapting to the Qatar track.Ocon's experience and ability to handle different track conditions are well-known. He showed some moments of promise but also faced some setbacks. His performance in Qatar was a reminder of the challenges he faces as a driver in a competitive team.

Sergio Perez – 3.5

Perez had another torrid weekend in Qatar. He made it into Q3 but struggled in the race. His spin under the Safety Car on cold tyres was a costly mistake that likely cost him a better result.Perez's ability to handle different track conditions and driving styles is still developing. He showed some moments of promise but also faced some challenges. His performance in Qatar was a reminder of the need for continued improvement.

Lewis Hamilton – 3

Hamilton's weekend in Qatar was a complete disaster. He was consistently 0.3s to 0.4s off Russell over one-lap and picked up two penalties in the race. His performance was a far cry from his usual standards, and it was a tough weekend for the seven-time world champion.Hamilton's experience and ability to handle different track conditions are well-known. He showed some moments of promise but also faced some setbacks. His performance in Qatar was a reminder of the challenges he faces as he enters a new phase of his career.