2024 Mexican Grand Prix: Edd Straw’s F1 Driver Rankings Break

2024 Mexican Grand Prix: Edd Straw’s F1 Driver Rankings Breakdown

In the latest driver performance rankings from the Mexican Grand Prix, Edd Straw evaluates how each driver fared, considering everything from raw pace and racecraft to consistency and decision-making. Unlike season-long performance rankings, these are based solely on each driver’s performance over the weekend. The results vary widely due to each car’s unique capabilities and circumstances, making this ranking a snapshot of driver performance in Mexico.

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1. Carlos Sainz – Started: 1st | Finished: 1st

Verdict: Nailed the Weekend

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz delivered a stellar performance, showing dominance in low-grip conditions and capturing pole with two near-perfect laps. Despite losing the lead to Verstappen at Turn 1, Sainz quickly regained control with a sharp overtake and then managed the race confidently from the front. His control over the entire weekend marked him as the top performer.

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2. Lando Norris – Started: 3rd | Finished: 2nd

Verdict: Effective but Not Perfect

With McLaren’s new floor upgrade at his disposal, Norris had an impressive weekend. While he might have found a bit more speed in qualifying, he executed his race strategy effectively. After an intense battle with Verstappen, he secured second place behind Sainz. Although Sainz had already built a comfortable lead, Norris’s performance showed consistency and adaptability.

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3. George Russell – Started: 5th | Finished: 5th

Verdict: Solid Recovery

After a crash in FP2 led to a chassis change, Russell rebounded well in his Mercedes. Despite this setback, he outqualified teammate Lewis Hamilton and later reclaimed fifth position after initially losing it at the start. He managed his race well, but a bump-induced minor front-wing damage later in the race reduced his downforce and eventually allowed Hamilton to pass.

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4. Lewis Hamilton – Started: 6th | Finished: 4th

Verdict: Decent Weekend in a Tricky Car

Hamilton faced challenges with rear-end grip in his Mercedes after opting for a higher downforce setup. After briefly losing position to Russell, he later regained it, showcasing his skill in managing a car that was not fully cooperating. Finishing fourth, Hamilton maximized what he could get from a difficult situation.

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5. Kevin Magnussen – Started: 7th | Finished: 7th

Verdict: Maximized Qualifying and Race Result

Magnussen had a strong weekend, consistently reaching his car’s potential. His race pace kept him just out of reach of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren, showing solid racecraft and control. Magnussen described it as a “perfect day,” reflecting his satisfaction with a car in which he seems to have finally found his rhythm.

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6. Charles Leclerc – Started: 4th | Finished: 3rd

Verdict: Good but Not at His Best

Leclerc acknowledged a disadvantage in low-downforce trim, which partly explained his slower qualifying time relative to Sainz. Though he initially moved up to second place, a small error exiting the last corner allowed Norris to overtake easily. His weekend was solid but fell short of his peak performance.

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7. Pierre Gasly – Started: 8th | Finished: 10th

Verdict: Excelled in Qualifying and the Race

Despite a tough start in practice, Gasly found pace in qualifying, making it to Q3. He maneuvered carefully around other cars, surviving a close encounter with Alex Albon at Turn 1. His strong race pace saw him hold his ground and execute