F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2023 Japanese GP

Lando Norris (P2, 18 pts): 9.5/10
At the beginning of the season we were all swooning over how improved Aston Martin had turned out. But they're yesterday's news and now the story is all about how McLaren have tuned themselves around after a terrible start to the year. Back then there was much speculation about how long Lando Norris would put up with such sub-standard service before looking elsewhere for a more competitive seat. He remained loyal, and now he's been duly rewarded by suddenly finding himself in the best car on the grid (okay, after the mighty Red Bull). And with each race he appears ever stronger, his standing in F1 growing by leaps and bounds. This was one of his best performances of his career to date, and beating his team mate Oscar Piastri to P2 confirmed that he's the best of the rest after Max Verstappen right now. Annoyingly, he seems to be able to do all this and still be the Mr Nice Guy that everyone on the grid gets on with. Enjoy it while it lasts, Lando, they'll hate you in the end!

Max Verstappen (Pole, P1, Fastest lap, 26 pts): 10/10
When we're compiling the ratings, one of the things we consider is: what could this driver have done any better this week? If the performance was literally flawless, then it makes him a clear candidate for a perfect ten out of ten. And this week - hot on the heels of surely his weakest outing of 2023 - Verstappen put in a performance that was literally, provably perfect. He swept all three practice sessions, claimed pole by over half a second from the rest of the field, strong-armed the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to keep the lead at the start of the race, and then cruised off into the distance. He also took the point for pole position. While we really don't like handing out tens like sweets, on this occasion there's no denying that Verstappen has earned himself the right to gorge himself on as much candy as he likes.