The 2022 Formula 1 season is officially finished and that means I can rank the drivers on how they have performed this season. I did this during the summer break and I can tell you that some of the positions have changed. In terms of how it works, I have given drivers a score of 1 to 10 for every qualifying, race and even sprint race this season and I have then done the total points divided by how many sessions they have been in to complete an average (maximum of 47 sessions). Let’s see how I felt the drivers got on this season.
P20: Nicholas Latifi
Nicholas Latifi has rightly lost his Formula 1 seat for next season. Nicholas had the least amount of points in both qualifying and the races and he was some 69 points behind the next driver. To make things even worse, Nicholas participated in every single session! I gave Nicholas two 10’s this season and a shocking seventeen 1’s! His best race of the season came at Silverstone where I gave him 17 total points. As for his worst weekend of the season, he scored a total of 2 points (the worst possible score) in 5 weekends. His average was 3.07 after the first half of the season, it’s gone down since then.
Total Qualifying Points: 56 (P20)
Total Race Points: 69 (P20)
Overall Total: 125 (P20)
Average: 2.66
P19: Mick Schumacher
At the midway point of the season, Mick Schumacher was ranked 16th and his average was 4.61. I said he needed to improve if he was going to keep his seat. He hasn’t improved, in fact he’s got worse and he’s now lost his seat as a result of that. Mick has received ten 1’s this season and four 10’s. His best weekend came at the Austrian Grand Prix race weekend where he managed to score a total of 27 points out of a possible 30. To be fair, he was brilliant that weekend. However, he didn’t do that enough and his worst weekend came in Baku where he scored the worst possible total of just 2 points. Let’s see if Mick can find a way back onto the F1 grid in the future.
Total Qualifying Points: 98 (P15)
Total Race Points: 96 (P18)
Overall Total: 194 (P18)
Average: 4.13
P18: Yuki Tsunoda
Yuki was 18th at the midseason break and his average was 4.5. He’s also ended the season in 18th place but with a different average. Yuki has received a total of seven 1’s and he actually hasn’t received a single 10 all season. He has received four 9’s though. His best weekend for points came at Imola (17) but in my opinion, his best weekend overall was at Baku were he scored 16 points out of a possible 20. His worst weekend points wise was 4 in Hungary but he actually only managed to score 5 points in Brazil which is pretty bad considering it was a sprint weekend. Yuki has to improve next year as I can’t see him staying in F1 otherwise.
Total Qualifying Points: 99 (P14)
Total Race Points: 91 (P19)
Overall Total: 190 (P19)
Average: 4.42
P17: Daniel Ricciardo
Before Belgium, Daniel Ricciardo was ranked 15th and his average was 4.68. Since then, he has dropped 2 places in these rankings, his average has gone down and he has also lost his Formula 1 seat for next season. Danny Ric has received a total of eight 1’s this season compared to just one 10. Daniel received the worst possible total score of 2 at both Zandvoort and COTA. As for his best weekend points wise, it came at Imola were he scored 17 but average wise, it came in his home race of Australia as he managed to score 16 points out of a total 20. It really hasn’t been a good year for the Honey Badger.
Total Qualifying Points: 98 (P16)
Total Race Points: 116 (P14)
Overall Total: 214 (P16)
Average: 4.55
P16: Zhou Guanyu
Zhou Guanyu was ranked 14th place after the first half of the season with an average of 4.85. I think the reason he has gone down is the surprise factor has gone plus, the Alfa Romeo has gotten a lot worse. Over the whole season, Zhou has only received one 10 but to be fair to him, he has only received two 1’s which is pretty impressive. His worst races saw him score a total of 3 points in both Monaco and France whilst he managed to score a total of 17 points in both Bahrain and Canada. Overall, a solid first season for Zhou all things considered.
Total Qualifying Points: 97 (P17)
Total Race Points: 112 (P16)
Overall Total: 209 (P17)
Average: 4.64
P15: Kevin Magnussen
Kevin Magnussen was ranked 11th after the first half of the season with an average of 5.57 so he has definitely dropped off in the second part of the year. Over the whole season, I have given Kevin three 1’s and five 10’s. K-Mag’s worst weekends came in Monza and Abu Dhabi were he only received 3 points whilst his best weekend points wise came at Austria where he managed to score 26 points. However, his best weekend was actually the season opener in Bahrain were the Dane managed to score a perfect 20. Even though he had a much stronger first part of the season, he did get pole in Brazil so overall, it was a solid season for K-Mag.
Total Qualifying Points: 115 (P11)
Total Race Points: 104 (P17)
Overall Total: 219 (P15)
Average: 4.76
P14: Lance Stroll
At the midway point of the season, Lance Stroll was ranked 19th with an average of 4.43 so he has done a good job at climbing up into a more respectable position. Lance received eight 1’s this season compared to four 10’s. His worst weekend came in Azerbaijan as he scored the worst possible total of 2 whilst his best weekends came in Miami and Zandvoort as he manged to pick up 19 points out of 20. Overall, Lance just needs to become more consistent because when he’s on it, he’s a really good racing driver.
Total Qualifying Points: 81 (P19)
Total Race Points: 146 (P10)
Overall Total: 227 (P14)
Average: 4.83
P13: Pierre Gasly
Pierre left the Hungarian Grand Prix ranked 17th in this season’s driver rankings with an average of 4.5. He has since picked up his game a bit and moved up 4 places. The Gasman has picked up four 1’s and five 10’s in the 2022 season. His worst weekend came in Canada were he only received 3 points in total whilst his best weekend came in Baku where he managed to receive a perfect 20. Overall, it was an ok year for Pierre, but I very much expect him to perform on a whole different level next year with Alpine.
Total Qualifying Points: 110 (P13)
Total Race Points: 122 (P13)
Overall Total: 232 (P11)
Average: 4.94
P12: Sebastian Vettel
After the first half of the season, Sebastian was ranked 13th with an average of 4.88 so he’s managed to climb up the table slightly. Sebastian picked up four 1’s and three 10’s this season. His worst weekend came at Australia were he only scored 3 points but you have to remember that that was actually his first race of the season after missing Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to covid. As for his best weekend of the season, that came in Japan were he managed to score a perfect 20. Overall, it was a solid last season in Formula 1 for the 4-time World Champion.
Total Qualifying Points: 90 (P18)
Total Race Points: 137 (P12)
Overall Total: 227 (P13)
Average: 5.28
P11: Alex Albon
Alex Albon was ranked in 12th place with an average of 5.42 after the first half of the season. Over the whole year, Alex has received a total of four 10’s compared to just one 1. Alex Albon’s worst races of the year have come in both Britain and Japan but to be fair to Alex, he retired on the first lap of both of the races, so I didn’t actually give him a grade. His best race weekend came in Belgium where he managed to score 18 points. Overall, Alex showcased just how consistent he is this season and why he deserves to be on the Formula 1 grid.
Total Qualifying Points: 114 (P12)
Total Race Points: 115 (P15)
Overall Total: 229 (P12)
Average: 5.45
P10: Valtteri Bottas
At the midway point of the season, Valtteri Bottas was ranked in 6th place and his average was 6.86. Valtteri has struggled in the second part of the season, but it also hasn’t helped that the Alfa Romeo has gone backwards too. In 2022, Valtteri has received two 1’s and a total of six 10’s. Valtteri’s worst race of the season actually came at the end of the year as he only scored 4 points whilst his best weekend points came in Imola as he scored 25 points out of a possible 30. However, his overall best race weekend came in the season opener in Bahrain as Bottas managed to score a perfect 20. Overall, it’s been a good year for Valtteri, but he will definitely be wanting to perform like he did in the first half of this season throughout 2023.
Total Qualifying Points: 123 (P9)
Total Race Points: 141 (P11)
Overall Total: 264 (P10)
Average: 5.86
P9: Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon was in 9th spot after Hungary with an average of 6.62 and he comes out of Abu Dhabi still ranked in 9th place. Esteban picked up a total of three 1’s and seven 10’s over the course of the season. Esteban’s worst weekend of the season was comfortably Singapore as he only managed to score 4 points. As for his best weekend, he scored a massive 28 points in Austria, but he managed two perfect 20’s at both the Belgium and Japanese Grand Prix’s. Overall, it’s been a really good year for Esteban who actually finished ahead of his teammate in this season’s Drivers Championship. Let’s see if he can improve even more next season.
Total Qualifying Points: 119 (P10)
Total Race Points: 173 (P7)
Overall Total: 292 (P9)
Average: 6.48
P8: Lewis Hamilton
Lewis was ranked 10th place with an average of 6.32 after the midway point of the season and even though he has climbed up, it still hasn’t been a particularly great season for the 7-time World Champion. Over the course of the season, Lewis has received the same amount of 1’s as he has 10’s (5 times). His worst weekend came at Imola where he managed to score a shambolic total of 3. I think that might be the worse weekend out of anybody all season. Points wise, his best weekend came at Brazil as he managed to score a total of 23 points. However, his actual best weekend came in France as the Brit managed to score 19 points out of a possible 20. Who would have thought that Lewis Hamilton wouldn’t get a perfect 10 at least once this season. Overall, it’s not a year that Lewis Hamilton is going to really want to think about too much.
Total Qualifying Points: 144 (P6)
Total Race Points: 174 (P6)
Overall Total: 318 (P7)
Average: 6.77
P7: Fernando Alonso
At the halfway point of the season, Fernando Alonso was 8th place in the rankings with an average of 6.66. In total, Fernando has received only one 1 all season whilst he has received eight 10’s which is pretty good. Fernando’s worst weekend of the season came at Miami where he received 8 points. That’s a pretty good worse race. In terms of his best race weekends, he has scored 19 points at both the British and Belgium Grand Prix’s. Overall, Fernando has drove superbly this season and Aston Martin are getting a great driver for next season.
Total Qualifying Points: 154 (P5)
Total Race Points: 160 (P9)
Overall Total: 314 (P8)
Average: 6.83
P6: Sergio Perez
After the Hungarian Grand Prix, Sergio Perez was ranked 7th place with an average of 6.81. Checo has only received one 1 this season whilst he has received a total of four 10’s. Checo’s worst weekend of the season came in Canada were he only picked up 4 points whilst his best weekend came in Singapore where he managed to earn 19 points out of 20. In my opinion, his race win at Singapore was one of the best drivers of the entire season for any driver. Overall, it’s been a solid year for Checo, but he needs to get the gap to his teammate in the Championship down significantly (205.5 in 2021, 149 in 2022).
Total Qualifying Points: 137 (P8)
Total Race Points: 183 (P4)
Overall Total: 320 (P6)
Average: 6.96
P5: George Russell
At the halfway point of the season, George was sitting in P5 with an average of 7 so he has pretty much stayed at the same point. Over the whole season, George only picked up the worst possible grade once whilst he had the best possible grade six times. His worst weekends of the season came in Britain and Singapore as the former Formula 2 Champion only picked up 4 points. As for his best weekend of the season, he scored 27 points over the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend and he also scored 19 points out of 20 in both Spain and Baku. This means that Mercedes didn’t get a perfect 20 all season, that’s mental. Overall, I think George did an amazing job this season and if you think P5 is harsh, I would probably agree.
Total Qualifying Points: 137 (P7)
Total Race Points: 184 (P3)
Overall Total: 321 (P5)
Average: 6.98
P4: Carlos Sainz
At the halfway point of the season, Carlos Sainz was sitting on the podium (P3) with an average of 7.33. In the second half of the season, his performances have picked up yet he’s lost his spot in the top 3. Over the whole season, Carlos has received one 1 and six 10’s. His worst weekend of the year came at Australia were he picked up 5 points in total. In terms of his best weekend, he scored 25 points at Brazil however, his actual best weekend of the year came at Silverstone as he managed to score a perfect 20. Overall, P4 for Carlos does seem a bit high given the fact that it hasn’t been his finest season. However, he’s been really good in qualifying and I think that has helped him to be this high up.
Total Qualifying Points: 167 (P4)
Total Race Points: 165 (P8)
Overall Total: 332 (P4)
Average: 7.37
P3: Lando Norris
After an excellent season, Lando Norris manages to secure a podium spot in these rankings. At the halfway point of the season, Lando was sitting in 4th place with an average of 7.04. Over the course of the season, Lando has only received one 1 grade whilst he has received a 10 grade a massive ten times. Norris’ worst weekends came in Bahrain and Canada where he only picked up 5 points whilst his best weekend came in Imola as he managed to score 29 points in total. He also received a total of 19 points at seven different race weekends this season. Overall, Lando has managed to get the maximum out of his McLaren time and time again and he genuinely deserves his spot on the podium.
Total Qualifying Points: 167 (P3)
Total Race Points: 180 (P5)
Overall Total: 347 (P3)
Average: 7.38
P2: Charles Leclerc
Just like the Drivers Championship, Charles Leclerc finishes P2 in the standings. At the midseason break, Charles Leclerc was actually sitting in first place with an average of 8.37 so he has dropped off a bit in the second part of the year. Over the whole season, Charles Leclerc received a massive thirteen 10’s compared to just one 1. Charles’ worst weekend of the season came in Canada and Mexico where he received 10 points. That’s quite ridiculous and also, Charles didn’t compete in qualifying in Canada, so his worst weekend was definitely Mexico. In terms of his best weekend, he scored 27 points at the Red Bull Ring (Austria) but he also managed to score two perfect 20’s at both the Bahrain and Australian Grand Prix’s. Overall, Charles can be proud of his 2022 efforts. He is a long way ahead of P3 in these rankings and the only criticism of Charles is that he only received two 10’s in the second half of the season. He’ll be hoping to finish in P1 next season.
Total Qualifying Points: 183 (P1)
Total Race Points: 192 (P2)
Overall Total: 375 (P2)
Average: 8.15
P1: Max Verstappen
For the second year in a row, Max Verstappen is my driver of the season. At the summer break, Max was sitting second in these rankings with an average of 8.21. Over the entire season, Verstappen hasn’t received a single rating of 1 meaning he is the only driver to have done that all season. In terms of 10’s, he has picked up a quite ridiculous 24. Max’s worst weekend of the season came in Singapore were he only received 10 points. As for his best weekend, he has received 6 perfect 20’s over the course of the season, but he has also done a feat no other driver has done this season and that’s get a perfect 30 (Imola). Overall, Max has dominated this season and he deserves to be number 1 in this list. His target now is to get an even better average next year and that is a scary thought.
Total Qualifying Points: 181 (P2)
Total Race Points: 216 (P1)
Overall Total: 397 (P1)
Average: 8.45
Team Standings
Just for a bit of fun, I have added up the total amount of points between the two drivers before I have divided it by the number of participated sessions to see which team has the best performing drivers.
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