Max Verstappen, Red Bull (P2) – 8.5/10
Verstappen dragged a result out of the Red Bull that the car probably had no right to achieve. Lacking the ultimate pace of the Mercedes, he relied on pure combativeness and relentless defense to keep himself in the hunt for an unlikely victory. A sharper strategy might have yielded more, but Max did what he does best: bullied his way to the podium.
George Russell, Mercedes (P1) – 9.5/10
A clinical, elite performance from lights to flag. Russell converted pole position, weathered early pressure from his former Mercedes teammate, and kept a predatory Verstappen at arm's length with supreme composure. There were no set-up or balance complaints this time out, allowing George to control the race pace, delivering a flawless victory that marks him out as a true team leader.
