Max Verstappen (P3, 15 pts): 9/10
It's a been a terrific start to the season for Max Verstappen and for Red Bull's partnership with new engine providers Honda. He started Sunday's race from fourth position on the grid after a strong showing in qualifying, and passed Sebastian Vettel for a podium place shortly after his mid-race pit stop. Once this was in his grasp, Honda's commendable reliability meant he wasn't robbed of success as happened so often in recent seasons. Although he kept the pressure on Lewis Hamilton all the way to the finish, he couldn't find his way around the Mercedes and had to settle for third, while his clear desire for the bonus point for the fastest lap of the race was thwarted by Valtteri Bottas. Even so, it's surely as strong a way to begin 2019 as Verstappen could have dared to hope for, and he certainly seized all that was on offer with both hands. And by the way, if we were rating engine manufacturers, Honda's performance would definitely warrant a 9,5/10.
