Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes (Fastest Lap, P4, 13 pts): 8.5/10
Lewis Hamilton really wasn't happy with his performance this weekend, which is odd because Sunday saw the seven-time world champion back to something like his best in the sort of mad conditions that he so often excels in. His disappointment largely stems from qualifying where he messed up his final Q3 lap, so that while his team mate George Russell was on pole Hamilton himself was only seventh on the grid. He'd been expecting it to be the other way around after topping final practice just hours earlier. The first stint of the race was frustrating as he tried but failed to find a way past Fernando Alonso, and it only finally happened when everyone pitted during the first safety car for Logan Sargeant's retirement. After that Hamilton found his way forward blocked by Oscar Piastri, who was himself battling with George Russell. Hamilton managed to pass them both in the final ten laps after the second safety car, only to be told by the Mercedes pit wall that Russell was free to attack and get the place back - which he did with ease. That would never have happened in the old days, and suddenly Hamilton is realising it's Russell, not himself, who is now top dog at Brackley with the all-access pass.
George Russell, Mercedes (Pole, P3, 15 pts): 9/10
George Russell's delight in securing his second F1 pole position - and the wholesome "holy moly!" that came from the cockpit in qualifying when he nearly plastered himself against the wall of champions - were two of our favourite moments of the weekend. Having finished Q3 in a dead heat with Max Verstappen it always seemed likely that it would only be a matter of time before Russell would lose control of the race; only, when it came on lap 20, it was the McLaren of Lando Norris who came flying past and stormed off into the distance, with Verstappen hot on his heels. A safety car pit stop allowed Russell to ditch his worn intermediate tyres but there was rarely a quiet moment from then to the flag as Russell tangled with Norris, Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton in a pulsating scrap in the changeable wet conditions. There's a version of this race in which Russell comes out top and another in which he's not even in the top six, so the final result - and the satisfaction of being able to fight and pass Hamilton - should feel pretty good all things considered.
