Max Verstappen (P3, 15 pts): 8.5/10
Qualifying hadn't gone entirely according to plan for Max Verstappen, who had needed to resort to hypersoft tyres just to make it through to the final round after a mix-up on temperatures. That meant he had to start the race itself on the same pink-hued compound, a potentially big disadvantage. But in fact it was a sensor glitch that was his biggest problem on race day, with the RB14 going into safety mode the moment he tried to launch off the grid. He eventually sorted out that issue, and the tyres ended up being no trouble at all as they saw him through to lap 17, setting him up nicely for a challenge on Valtteri Bottas for a podium position in the closing stages of the race. He also had the satisfaction of making a robust pass on his Brazil nemesis Esteban Ocon during the evening's entertainment, but this time without the acrimony that ensued at Interlagos. It was a good way to finish off the season, and showed that he can get his head down and still deliver strong results without all the theatrics when he tries.
