Pierre Gasly (P8, 4 pts): 8.5/10
His spell in Japanese Super Formula gave Pierre Gasly a definite home advantage this weekend at Suzuka, and he was clearly on top of his team mate throughout. Obliged to sit out FP1 in favour of guest driver Naoki Yamamoto, he was immediately quicker than Daniil Kvyat when he got back behind the wheel on Friday afternoon despite the comparative lack of preparation. That momentum continued into qualifying when he made getting into the final round look rather easy. He then gained a place on the opening lap and benefitted from Charles Leclerc's clash with Max Verstappen to climb to sixth place before his pit stop. Unfortunately a suspension issue made the mid-section of the race more of a challenge, with Gasly having to give it all he had to keep seventh place. Ultimately he wasn't quite able to fend off a surging Daniel Ricciardo in the closing stages, but eighth is still a solid result for the Frenchman who is looking much happier these days since his return to Toro Rosso.
