Gabriel Bortoleto, Kick Sauber (P8) 8/10
We have had our eye on Bortoleto ever since the start of the season as a top talent, but he didn’t have the results to show for it until now. To place a mediocre Kick Sauber into Q3 was already unbelievable, but to maintain position in the race until the chequered flag really showed that this young Brazilian can perform at the highest level. There were a few scary moments where it looked like a top ten result might slip away from him, as he was held up by slower drivers after both of his pit stops, but he executed his overtakes to perfection to climb his way back into eighth in the closing stages of the Grand Prix.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (P7) 7/10
Alonso was happy to qualify his Aston Martin in 11th after expecting much worse, and quickly found himself in the points after avoiding the chaos on the opening lap. The Spaniard had his team to thank for his brilliant P7 finish, who went with a one-stop strategy which placed him ahead of the quicker Kick Sauber and Haas cars. Being stuck behind Lawson for pretty much the entire race must have frustrated the two-time World Champion to no end though.
