2024 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix driver ratings

There are two perfect 10s among the F1 field for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix driver ratings.

On a weekend McLaren ended its long drought for the constructors’ championship, one 10 goes to one of its drivers, whilst the shining star of the late season picks up the other. 

But who dropped an absolute clanger and behaved in a childish way, something that needs to be stamped out?

Find out below!

The top five

Lando Norris – 10

His best performance in F1. A comfortable pole position was converted into a dominant lights-to-flag win under the most intense pressure as a single slip-up would have denied McLaren the constructors’. Silenced the doubters.

Pierre Gasly – 10

The most impressive driver on the grid in the last four races, Gasly was within a tenth of Max Verstappen, on merit, in qualifying and then proceeded to hold George Russell up in a far faster Mercedes. Banked P7, the best he was going to get once Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc came through. P7 was enough to secure Alpine P6 in the constructors’, and he nicked 10th in the drivers’ from Nico Hulkenberg. 

Carlos Sainz – 9 

Put up a valiant effort to try and catch Norris in the race, but the Ferrari was simply not fast enough. Goes out on a personal high at the Scuderia, but one wonders how much he can shine at Williams next season. 

Lewis Hamilton – 8.5

The rogue bollard in Q1 was just sheer bad luck, but did well in the early stages to clear some traffic on the contra hard tyres. Came alive in the final stint on the mediums to hunt down Russell and put some manners on him on the final lap. Vintage Hamilton. 

Charles Leclerc – 8

Loses a mark for the track limits violation in Q2 that dumped him out and made an impossible task even harder in the constructors’. Incredible opening lap to stay alert and out of trouble and ran strongly thereafter. 

The bottom five –

Max Verstappen – 4

Should not be getting out-qualified by a Haas on pure pace, and that Turn 1 move on Piastri was irresponsible, churlish and just un-called for. The “stupid idiots” jibe at the stewards proves that for all the greatness, Verstappen cannot deal with a perceived wrong, and then shut down questions about it. World champions should accept when they are wrong and not insult the stewards. 

Lance Stroll – 4 

A totally anonymous weekend to cap off a dreadful season in which he did not score a point after the summer break. Did beat Alonso in Q1, that was something. 

Franco Colapinto – 4

Off the pace of the strong Alex Albon who nearly nicked the final point for the beleaguered Williams, but a strong nine races and should be high on the 2026 driver market when it opens up. Unlucky to be rammed by Piastri. 

Valtteri Bottas – 3

A first point-less season in F1 to sign off for now was compounded by a silly error in which he rammed Magnussen, having already taken Perez out on lap 1. Probably had altitude sickness in getting that Stake car into Q3, where it had no business being.

Sergio Perez – 3 

Sometimes, its kinder to realise the time is up and step away yourself without the decision being made for you. The fact that a Q3 appearance in a Red Bull is celebrated sums it up.