Feature

F1i Driver Ratings for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix

40

The Pre-Race Casualty Ward

The Chinese Grand Prix generated an overflow of drama before the lights even flickered, as the pit lane in Shanghai resembled an expensive hospital wing.

McLaren’s nightmare was a statistical anomaly: two distinct electrical failures on the power units occurring almost simultaneously, leaving Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri stranded and the Woking-based squad’s "underdeveloped" chassis untested.

Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi joined the list with a vaguely described "technical issue," continuing the team’s alarming 50/50 reliability trend, while Alex Albon’s Williams rounded out the DNS list, leaving the field depleted and the points race wide open for those lucky enough to actually find the "on" switch.

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin (DNF) – 2/10

Stroll’s weekend was a short, sharp shock – literally. Sidelined – predictably – by a battery failure after just nine laps, the Canadian ran at the bottom of the field during that short period. Honda is likely to pull out the stops to try and get its power unit to function properly for the better part of its home race in Japan in two weeks’ time. One can only hope…

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (DNF) – 4/10

Alonso dragged his AMR26 to lap 32, but it was a miserable slog. Locked in a depressing scrap with Cadillac before the Spaniard gave up, his hands having gone numb due to the car’s high-frequency vibrations. Finishing a race, let alone in the points, is a distant dream for the Spaniard right now.

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.