George Russell, Mercedes (P4): 8.5/10
George Russell hit the ground running in Qatar, securing back-to-back pole positions on Saturday. However, his race didn’t go according to plan, as he lost the lead off the start and later suffered a penalty for a Safety Car infringement. Although the sanction didn’t significantly impact his final result, it did cost him valuable positions, leaving him to settle for fourth. Despite these setbacks, Russell’s pace remains undeniable, showcasing his continued form as one of the fastest drivers on the grid.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren (P3): 7.5/10
Oscar Piastri’s weekend in Qatar was a mixed bag. While he secured a sprint race victory and a podium finish, his performance lacked the spark seen in his teammate, Lando Norris. Piastri benefitted from the latter’s savvy teamwork in the sprint, as Russell likely would’ve overtaken him otherwise. On Sunday, he was never really on a par with Norris at any point in the race. Although Piastri struggled to match Norris’ pace when he was ahead, he ultimately proved to be the more valuable driver for McLaren this weekend, contributing crucial points to the team’s efforts.
