Max Verstappen, Red Bull (P6): 8/10
We all know the drill and so does Max: “If you don’t go for a gap…” What amounted to a racing incident in the view of many between Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at the first corner was severely frowned upon by the stewards who hit the Red Bull perpetrator with a ridiculous 10-second penalty. Max dealt with the sanction with his usual disdain, powering on to finish sixth while happy to see the back of the year.
George Russell, Mercedes (P5): 8.5/10
Basically, George Russell’s season finale at Yas Marina was a story of a lack of pace all weekend, despite his best efforts. From P6 on the grid, the Briton moved immediately into the top four where he settled for the remainder of the evening. Until the final lap when he fell victim to Sir Lewis’ imperial charge. Russell called the tussle a “fitting way” to end his three-year partnership with Hamilton. We agree.