Driver Ratings: Midfield star shines with fighting drive in Miami

Crash.net F1 journalist Connor McDonagh runs through the field’s driver ratings after the 2023 Miami Grand Prix.
Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 5, Miami Grand Prix, Miami, Florida, USA, Race
Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd…

Max Verstappen - 9.5

A devastating drive from Verstappen to win from ninth on the grid. The only blemish on his weekend - his first run in Q3.

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Sergio Perez - 8

Good, but not good enough for Perez in Miami. He never looked comfortable relative to Verstappen throughout the various sessions. 

Fernando Alonso - 9

The experienced Spaniard continues to deliver. Four podiums in five races - another mighty Sunday drive for the two-time world champion.

3rd place Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 5, Miami Grand Prix, Miami, Florida,
3rd place Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team. Formula 1 World…

George Russell - 8.5

Russell’s best drive of the season. P4 is pretty impressive given how much Mercedes struggled for one-lap pace in Miami.

Carlos Sainz - 8

After struggling so much for pace in Baku, Sainz deserves credit for how he recovered in Miami. While he was a step behind Leclerc in one-lap pace (before his car), Sainz kept it on the black stuff and was consistent. His rating would have been slightly higher had it not been for a speeding penalty. 

Lewis Hamilton - 7.5

The seven-time world champion was a surprise exit in Q2, slumping to his worst qualifying position on US soil. Mercedes performed better on race day, allowing Hamilton to ultimately finish sixth. A solid drive albeit out-shone by Russell.

Charles Leclerc - 6

A torrid weekend overall for Leclerc. He crashed in qualifying and seemed to lack any pace during the race. He spent most of it battling the Haas of Magnussen.

Pierre Gasly - 8.5

An exemplary weekend for Gasly in Miami. On it in qualifying, backed up with a strong race drive. He was picked off by Hamilton and Leclerc late on.

Esteban Ocon - 7

Unfortunate to not maximise qualifying due to the red flag, he recovered well to finish ninth.

(L to R): Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas VF-23 and Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-23 battle for position. Formula 1 World
(L to R): Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas VF-23 and Charles Leclerc (MON)…

Kevin Magnussen - 9

Magnussen backed up a superb fourth in qualifying with a fighting drive to tenth. No doubt, his efforts deserved more than a solitary point. His race-long battle with Leclerc was a highlight. 

Yuki Tsunoda - 8

Tsunoda narrowly missed out on the points. While he was out-qualified by teammate de Vries for the first time this year - reflected in his overall rating - it was another impressive Sunday drive from the AlphaTauri driver.

Lance Stroll - 3

The worst-performing driver this weekend. He was knocked out in Q1 while his teammate put it on the front row. He never looked like scoring a point in the grand prix.

Valtteri Bottas - 6.5

After a run of poor races, Bottas was back on form as he claimed Alfa Romeo’s first Q3 appearance of the year. He didn’t quite have the pace to maintain a top 10 finish on race day.

Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW44. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 5, Miami Grand Prix, Miami, Florida, USA, Race
Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW44. Formula 1 World Championship,…

Alex Albon - 6.5

Albon seemed to get the most out of the Williams, but like Bottas in the Alfa, they didn’t really have the pace to finish in the top 10.

Nico Hulkenberg - 5

A step behind teammate Magnussen following his crash in practice.

Zhou Guanyu - 5

Zhou was well behind teammate Bottas in qualifying, blaming a lack of slipstream for the substantial deficit. 

Lando Norris - 6

A woeful weekend from McLaren in Miami. Norris’ race was ruined when he was clattered by de Vries at the start. 

Nyck de Vries - 4

While de Vries was able to out-qualify Tsunoda for the first time this year, his good work was undone on the opening lap when he smashed into the back of Norris’ McLaren.

Oscar Piastri - 4.5

Not at Norris’ level in a weekend where McLaren had the slowest car on the grid.

Logan Sargeant - 4

Sargeant struggled for pace on his first visit to Miami.

Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing FW45 with a broken front wing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 5, Miami Grand Prix,
Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing FW45 with a broken front wing…

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