Lewis Hamilton (P6, 8 pts): 7/10
Lewis Hamilton was really not a happy bunny on Friday afternoon when the team tried a high drag wing setting that left him down on straight line speed. Although that was reversed on Saturday, Hamilton was never quite back to where he wanted to be: despite being less than two tenths slower than George Russell in qualifying he was four places back on the grid, dictating a very different strategy starting on the hard tyres. The plan worked to large degree and sixth was about as good as Hamilton could have hoped for, but we have to take marks off for his careless collision with Oscar Piastri.
George Russell (P5, 10 pts): 8/10
Before the summer break the gossip was about whether George Russell was past his prime and if Lewis Hamilton was back ruling the roost at Mercedes. But that's twice in a row now that Russell has calmly out-qualified team mate, and on this occasion he beat him on Sunday as well with a confident, assured drive with little in the way of histrionics. There was the small matter of the five second penalty but it was a curious incident and we're not inclined to deduct any marks off him for that. His early battle to stay ahead of Sergio Perez was quality entertainment.
