So Formula 1 heads off for its summer holidays, leaving a rather empty void in its place. Factories shut down, team members head off for some crucial relaxation time and drivers take some time off to reflect on their season so far.
It has been a fantastic first half to the 2013 season, full of the usual controversy, drama, excitement and debate. We have all witnessed some stunning drives, questionable moves, battles from the back and dominant race victories with Sebastian Vettel currently holding a commanding position in the drivers standings.
The current form card changes from race to race, which has provided us with some spectacular racing. Red Bull Racing look typically strong and in consistent fashion, but the likes of Lotus and Ferrari are never out of the question with their cars working best in more specific conditions.
Mercedes are a constant threat in qualifying but so far, tyre struggles have caused them to lose out on Sunday afternoon. McLaren have slipped back in comparison to their 2012 form and Force India have impressed so far with their more restricted resources.
Caterham and Marussia have failed to latch on to the midfield stragglers of Toro Rosso and Williams - as promised - and Sauber are just lucky to still be racing after financial issues.
Obviously we have had testgate, the controversial Pirelli tyres and plenty of other talking points to discuss off track. However in this article, I want to look at the drivers performances so far, really analysing their seasons so far and discussing some of the main talking points and improvement areas for each driver.
Here in this two part series, I'm going to look through all 22 drivers on the grid so far (in championship order) and rate them in the typical school grading system of A to F. I will be using the USA's plus (+) and minus (-) gradings as well to give a more specific scoring for the drivers.
Let me know what you think in the comments below or on my social network accounts: Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
12th to 22nd
12th: Sergio Perez
Team: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Points: 18
Best result: 6th (Bahrain)
Grading: C
I can't really complain too much about Sergio Perez because, after all, I would rather a driver try to overtake and make up positions than sit behind and provide no spectacle whatsoever. The Mexican has done a decent job so far in his debut season for McLaren, but 12th in the standings is pretty much what I expected considering the machinery he has at his disposal.
Bahrain was a real standout drive for him because he responded to the criticism faced after the first few rounds and set about changing peoples perceptions. Yes, he has at times been a bit too aggressive (like when he hit Button in Bahrain, or Raikkonen in Monaco) but it has produced exciting racing. I think he just needs to calm down a bit - like Grosjean - and take his time when overtaking.
Qualifying is also somewhere that needs improvement but with the car that he has, he hasn't done a bad job at all. Consistent points scores and using differing strategies has proved that he can get the job done and out racing his more experienced team-mate is definitely something to be proud of.
13th: Jean-Eric Vergne
Team: Scuderia Toro Rosso
Points: 13
Best result: 6th (Canada)
Grade: D
It must be frustrating for Vergne. He has scored more points than his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo but despite that, he isn't in the running for the prime Red Bull seat for 2014. I think it is easy to see why. Firstly, his qualifying performances continue to be mediocre and despite starring in Monaco and Montreal, he lacks consistency in his results.
His grade is boosted up because of those strong results around the streets of Monte Carlo and the twisty confines of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. He drove fantastically in both races but he has retired from four rounds already - although most through no fault of his own - and he just lacks the raw speed in qualifying that makes me question his ability in comparison to his team-mate.
If he can get his head around the issues holding him back in qualifying, that will help set him up for race results that can prove that Red Bull were wrong to discount him.
14th: Daniel Ricciardo
Team: Scuderia Toro Rosso
Points: 11
Best result: 7th (China)
Grade: C-
The main reason why Ricciardo gets a C- in comparison to his team-mates D grade is qualifying. Ricciardo continues to have the edge over Vergne over one lap and that proves that 1) he is able to find a better set-up for the car in qualifying trim and 2) he does have more raw speed and potential.
However he hasn't - thus far - been able to translate his good grid position in to consistent points finishes. He has had his fair share of bad luck and knows that the pressure is on to perform, but I have been impressed with Ricciardo this season so far - hence the grade. His Chinese Grand Prix run was superb and he has made it through to Q3 on numerous occasions - commendable considering the machinery he is racing with.
The Aussie also finishes races on a more consistent basis but he must improve his performances on Sunday in order to get the all important points. It is one thing getting in to Q3 on Saturday, but that doesn't give you any reward other than praise. He has it in him and he deserves to be in contention for the Red Bull drive, but consistency is the key word with the 24-year-old and he certainly knows it.
15th: Nico Hulkenberg
Team: Sauber F1 Team
Points:7
Best result: 8th (Malaysia)
Grade: C
I can't really fault Hulkenberg too much because the Sauber C32 is a car that he just can't shine in. If he was at the wheel of the Mercedes of Red Bull, I reckon he could get some really good results and challenge at the front. That's how good I think he is. But he can't get any more than a C from me because of his results thus far.
When comparing the German to his team-mate Esteban Gutierrez - who has equal machinery - he has done very well. He has performed well so far this season but on a rather quiet level, because the C32 doesn't allow him to battle at the front. His move to the Swiss team was met with a mixed reaction and it has so far proved to be the wrong choice, their financial issues haven't helped and he is obviously looking elsewhere.
Malaysia was a strong race for the 25-year-old and he has qualified in the top 10 on numerous occasions. He has scored minor points on a consistent basis, missing out on more in Hungary after a penalty for speeding in the pit lane but bigger results have eluded him thanks to the teams restricted resources and car. He has the speed to perform well in a top team but for now, he is stuck trying to scrape into the points with a poor car.
16th: Pastor Maldonado
Team: Williams F1 Team
Points: 1
Best result: 10th (Hungary)
Grade: D
Maldonado is a driver that I never really warmed to. I found him too erratic, too unpredictable and not as fast as other drivers without a seat in F1. However 2013 hasn't been too bad of a season - driving wise - for the Venezuelan but the FW35 has proved to be a tricky car to master, hence his poor points tally so far.
Williams are such a charismatic and charming team with strong levels of success and history in Formula 1, so to see them struggling is quite sad. However they managed to get their first point of the season in Hungary and the season looks to be improving, ever so slightly anyway. It was a poor start of the season for Maldonado with a rookie-like spin in Australia before some decent and stable results that followed soon after.
He has had some mature drives battling at the back since the early races and Hungary was a strong race for him, making some good moves and using strategy well to progress up the order. He has stayed out of trouble - most of the time - and hence, the grading isn't as bad as it could have been if he lived up to his erratic 2011/2012 reputation.
17th: Valtteri Bottas
Team: Williams F1 Team
Points: 0
Best result: 11th (Malaysia)
Grade: C-
You may be wondering why I have given someone with no points a better grade than someone in equal machinery with one point. Well it's quite simple, Valtteri Bottas has impressed me during his rookie year and whilst he has no points to prove it, he has had some good drives.
Qualifying has proved to be the main difficulty for the Finn, being knocked out of Q1 on a handful of occasions. The Williams FW35 is not where the team want it to be and that has obviously made his debut season that bit more difficult. If he was in a Force India or Lotus, could he score points? Of course. He is a cool, calm driver who stays out of trouble and gets the car home - something very rare for a rookie.
With the FW35 looking stronger in Hungary, that could be a good sign of things to come. His Canada qualifying lap was sublime and I have been really impressed with his attitude, race craft and speed despite below-par machinery. He has matched Maldonado for pace and that proves that he is definitely one to watch for the future.
18th: Esteban Gutierrez
Team: Sauber F1 Team
Points: 0
Best result: 11th (Spain)
Grade: E
Esteban Gutierrez was a fierce competitor in the 2012 GP2 series, winning races and battling hard to finish third in the championship. However ever since he made his F1 weekend debut driving in FP1 at the Indian Grand Prix, his speed has been underwhelming.
His season didn't start off too well with a qualifying crash in Australia, a rather silly prang in China and plenty of appearances in the Q1 drop zone. His speed has picked up slightly as the season has gone on - that comes with more experience - but I have failed to be even remotely impressed with his driving thus far.
Yes, his car is poor but look at his team-mate. He has managed to score points and qualify in the top 10. Gutierrez does have less experience but Bottas is managing to match Maldonado in a similar situation at Williams. He really needs to find some speed if he wants to get a better grading.
19th: Jules Bianchi
Team: Marussia F1 Team
Points: 0
Best result: 13th (Malaysia)
Grade: B
I raved about Jules Bianchi being a star of the future after a fantastic first few rounds of his F1 career, and I still feel the same way now. The Frenchman has out-qualified and outraced team-mate Max Chilton in every qualifying session and in every race that they have both finished.
He had a great start to the season with some stand out drives in Australia, Malaysia and China. But the results have failed to emerge as the season has progressed due to Marussia falling behind Caterham, with the Leafield based team finding more time with their upgrades. It has been disappointing but beyond all of that, Bianchi's driving has been very good and consistently mature, sometimes you can forget that he is a rookie at all.
The best thing for him to do is keep doing what he is doing right now. Finishing the races, performing well and extending the gap to his team-mate because they are both in the same boat - inexperienced and battling with a difficult car. It may be a bit kind, giving him a B+ when he has failed to score points but I have been thoroughly impressed by his speed so far.
20th: Charles Pic
Team: Caterham F1 Team
Points: 0
Best result: 14th (Malaysia)
Grade: C-
Pic is another driver that hasn't had the results but has impressed with his speed and consistency. With just one retirement so far - due to a mechanical failure in Monaco - and a number of error free performances, Pic has built on what was a solid debut year in 2012 for Marussia.
Many expected Caterham to be faster out of the box in comparison to the Frenchman's former team, but they weren't. It was a tough start with a few tangles here and there alongside some mechanical gremlins and difficulties with the car that meant they failed to challenge Marussia.
However Bahrain and Spain saw the teams fortunes change for the better, with speed being found in a raft of new parts that catapulted them ahead of their closest rivals. Yes, they are still some way off the promise of latching on to the midfield but they are getting there...slowly. To improve, the 23-year-old just needs to stay out of trouble and keep raking in the race finishes because his performances aren't just impressing me.
21st: Giedo van der Garde
Team: Caterham F1 Team
Points: 0
Best result: 14th (Hungary)
Grade: D-
I was debating this grade for a while because van der Garde's season has been similar to that of a roller-coaster ride. On one hand, his Monaco qualifying lap was stunning - getting him in to Q2 in tricky conditions - and he drove a strong Hungarian Grand Prix. However, he has also made some very rookie errors including crashing in to Mark Webber in Canada, as the Aussie attempted to lap him.
So I settled with D- because the good and the bad almost evened out. His performance in Hungary was good and as the season has progressed, he has looked more confident and comfortable in the car and has been able to push more. However, some rather inexcusable errors in Canada and losing his front wing a bit too much has tainted his debut season so far.
What Giedo needs to do now is consistently match his team-mate, close the gap on Pic and stay out of trouble. With the teams lagging behind at the back known for dropping a driver after one season, he has to tread carefully now and maintain the impression that he is slowly building up.
22nd: Max Chilton
Team: Marussia F1 Team
Points: 0
Best result: 14th (Monaco)
Grade: E
It's fair to say that Max Chilton wouldn't be driving in F1 if it wasn't for his substantial amount of backing. However, it is also fair to say that he gained his super license and seat on merit after a strong 2012 season racing in GP2. So why have I given him such a low grade?
It's simple. Comparing him directly to his team-mate, his performances have been very poor and his "inexperience" excuse after the first few rounds simply doesn't cut it because he has had just as much experience driving F1 machinery as Bianchi. He has consistently been over half a second down or more on the Frenchman in qualifying and seems to lose out even more in the races.
I'm patriotic, so love cheering on the Brits and seeing them do well. So it is disappointing for Chilton to be performing so poorly as the mid-way point of the season arrives. I hope he can find some more speed and close the gap to Bianchi because right now, he is some way off and that isn't helping his reputation. One positive point though is that he has finished every race so far, that is something to be proud of.
So those are my views on the drivers currently occupying positions 12 to 22 in the drivers standings. Keep an eye on the blog for my mid-season review on the top 11 drivers in the championship, including Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso.
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
The current form card changes from race to race, which has provided us with some spectacular racing. Red Bull Racing look typically strong and in consistent fashion, but the likes of Lotus and Ferrari are never out of the question with their cars working best in more specific conditions.
Mercedes are a constant threat in qualifying but so far, tyre struggles have caused them to lose out on Sunday afternoon. McLaren have slipped back in comparison to their 2012 form and Force India have impressed so far with their more restricted resources.
Caterham and Marussia have failed to latch on to the midfield stragglers of Toro Rosso and Williams - as promised - and Sauber are just lucky to still be racing after financial issues.
Obviously we have had testgate, the controversial Pirelli tyres and plenty of other talking points to discuss off track. However in this article, I want to look at the drivers performances so far, really analysing their seasons so far and discussing some of the main talking points and improvement areas for each driver.
Here in this two part series, I'm going to look through all 22 drivers on the grid so far (in championship order) and rate them in the typical school grading system of A to F. I will be using the USA's plus (+) and minus (-) gradings as well to give a more specific scoring for the drivers.
Let me know what you think in the comments below or on my social network accounts: Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
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| (c) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes |
12th: Sergio Perez
Team: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Points: 18
Best result: 6th (Bahrain)
Grading: C
I can't really complain too much about Sergio Perez because, after all, I would rather a driver try to overtake and make up positions than sit behind and provide no spectacle whatsoever. The Mexican has done a decent job so far in his debut season for McLaren, but 12th in the standings is pretty much what I expected considering the machinery he has at his disposal.
Bahrain was a real standout drive for him because he responded to the criticism faced after the first few rounds and set about changing peoples perceptions. Yes, he has at times been a bit too aggressive (like when he hit Button in Bahrain, or Raikkonen in Monaco) but it has produced exciting racing. I think he just needs to calm down a bit - like Grosjean - and take his time when overtaking.
Qualifying is also somewhere that needs improvement but with the car that he has, he hasn't done a bad job at all. Consistent points scores and using differing strategies has proved that he can get the job done and out racing his more experienced team-mate is definitely something to be proud of.
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| (c) Getty Images |
13th: Jean-Eric Vergne
Team: Scuderia Toro Rosso
Points: 13
Best result: 6th (Canada)
Grade: D
It must be frustrating for Vergne. He has scored more points than his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo but despite that, he isn't in the running for the prime Red Bull seat for 2014. I think it is easy to see why. Firstly, his qualifying performances continue to be mediocre and despite starring in Monaco and Montreal, he lacks consistency in his results.
His grade is boosted up because of those strong results around the streets of Monte Carlo and the twisty confines of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. He drove fantastically in both races but he has retired from four rounds already - although most through no fault of his own - and he just lacks the raw speed in qualifying that makes me question his ability in comparison to his team-mate.
If he can get his head around the issues holding him back in qualifying, that will help set him up for race results that can prove that Red Bull were wrong to discount him.
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| (c) Getty Images |
Team: Scuderia Toro Rosso
Points: 11
Best result: 7th (China)
Grade: C-
The main reason why Ricciardo gets a C- in comparison to his team-mates D grade is qualifying. Ricciardo continues to have the edge over Vergne over one lap and that proves that 1) he is able to find a better set-up for the car in qualifying trim and 2) he does have more raw speed and potential.
However he hasn't - thus far - been able to translate his good grid position in to consistent points finishes. He has had his fair share of bad luck and knows that the pressure is on to perform, but I have been impressed with Ricciardo this season so far - hence the grade. His Chinese Grand Prix run was superb and he has made it through to Q3 on numerous occasions - commendable considering the machinery he is racing with.
The Aussie also finishes races on a more consistent basis but he must improve his performances on Sunday in order to get the all important points. It is one thing getting in to Q3 on Saturday, but that doesn't give you any reward other than praise. He has it in him and he deserves to be in contention for the Red Bull drive, but consistency is the key word with the 24-year-old and he certainly knows it.
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| (c) Sauber F1 Team |
15th: Nico Hulkenberg
Team: Sauber F1 Team
Points:7
Best result: 8th (Malaysia)
Grade: C
I can't really fault Hulkenberg too much because the Sauber C32 is a car that he just can't shine in. If he was at the wheel of the Mercedes of Red Bull, I reckon he could get some really good results and challenge at the front. That's how good I think he is. But he can't get any more than a C from me because of his results thus far.
When comparing the German to his team-mate Esteban Gutierrez - who has equal machinery - he has done very well. He has performed well so far this season but on a rather quiet level, because the C32 doesn't allow him to battle at the front. His move to the Swiss team was met with a mixed reaction and it has so far proved to be the wrong choice, their financial issues haven't helped and he is obviously looking elsewhere.
Malaysia was a strong race for the 25-year-old and he has qualified in the top 10 on numerous occasions. He has scored minor points on a consistent basis, missing out on more in Hungary after a penalty for speeding in the pit lane but bigger results have eluded him thanks to the teams restricted resources and car. He has the speed to perform well in a top team but for now, he is stuck trying to scrape into the points with a poor car.
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
16th: Pastor Maldonado
Team: Williams F1 Team
Points: 1
Best result: 10th (Hungary)
Grade: D
Maldonado is a driver that I never really warmed to. I found him too erratic, too unpredictable and not as fast as other drivers without a seat in F1. However 2013 hasn't been too bad of a season - driving wise - for the Venezuelan but the FW35 has proved to be a tricky car to master, hence his poor points tally so far.
Williams are such a charismatic and charming team with strong levels of success and history in Formula 1, so to see them struggling is quite sad. However they managed to get their first point of the season in Hungary and the season looks to be improving, ever so slightly anyway. It was a poor start of the season for Maldonado with a rookie-like spin in Australia before some decent and stable results that followed soon after.
He has had some mature drives battling at the back since the early races and Hungary was a strong race for him, making some good moves and using strategy well to progress up the order. He has stayed out of trouble - most of the time - and hence, the grading isn't as bad as it could have been if he lived up to his erratic 2011/2012 reputation.
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
17th: Valtteri Bottas
Team: Williams F1 Team
Points: 0
Best result: 11th (Malaysia)
Grade: C-
You may be wondering why I have given someone with no points a better grade than someone in equal machinery with one point. Well it's quite simple, Valtteri Bottas has impressed me during his rookie year and whilst he has no points to prove it, he has had some good drives.
Qualifying has proved to be the main difficulty for the Finn, being knocked out of Q1 on a handful of occasions. The Williams FW35 is not where the team want it to be and that has obviously made his debut season that bit more difficult. If he was in a Force India or Lotus, could he score points? Of course. He is a cool, calm driver who stays out of trouble and gets the car home - something very rare for a rookie.
With the FW35 looking stronger in Hungary, that could be a good sign of things to come. His Canada qualifying lap was sublime and I have been really impressed with his attitude, race craft and speed despite below-par machinery. He has matched Maldonado for pace and that proves that he is definitely one to watch for the future.
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| (c) Sauber F1 Team |
18th: Esteban Gutierrez
Team: Sauber F1 Team
Points: 0
Best result: 11th (Spain)
Grade: E
Esteban Gutierrez was a fierce competitor in the 2012 GP2 series, winning races and battling hard to finish third in the championship. However ever since he made his F1 weekend debut driving in FP1 at the Indian Grand Prix, his speed has been underwhelming.
His season didn't start off too well with a qualifying crash in Australia, a rather silly prang in China and plenty of appearances in the Q1 drop zone. His speed has picked up slightly as the season has gone on - that comes with more experience - but I have failed to be even remotely impressed with his driving thus far.
Yes, his car is poor but look at his team-mate. He has managed to score points and qualify in the top 10. Gutierrez does have less experience but Bottas is managing to match Maldonado in a similar situation at Williams. He really needs to find some speed if he wants to get a better grading.
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| (c) Marussia F1 Team |
19th: Jules Bianchi
Team: Marussia F1 Team
Points: 0
Best result: 13th (Malaysia)
Grade: B
I raved about Jules Bianchi being a star of the future after a fantastic first few rounds of his F1 career, and I still feel the same way now. The Frenchman has out-qualified and outraced team-mate Max Chilton in every qualifying session and in every race that they have both finished.
He had a great start to the season with some stand out drives in Australia, Malaysia and China. But the results have failed to emerge as the season has progressed due to Marussia falling behind Caterham, with the Leafield based team finding more time with their upgrades. It has been disappointing but beyond all of that, Bianchi's driving has been very good and consistently mature, sometimes you can forget that he is a rookie at all.
The best thing for him to do is keep doing what he is doing right now. Finishing the races, performing well and extending the gap to his team-mate because they are both in the same boat - inexperienced and battling with a difficult car. It may be a bit kind, giving him a B+ when he has failed to score points but I have been thoroughly impressed by his speed so far.
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
20th: Charles Pic
Team: Caterham F1 Team
Points: 0
Best result: 14th (Malaysia)
Grade: C-
Pic is another driver that hasn't had the results but has impressed with his speed and consistency. With just one retirement so far - due to a mechanical failure in Monaco - and a number of error free performances, Pic has built on what was a solid debut year in 2012 for Marussia.
Many expected Caterham to be faster out of the box in comparison to the Frenchman's former team, but they weren't. It was a tough start with a few tangles here and there alongside some mechanical gremlins and difficulties with the car that meant they failed to challenge Marussia.
However Bahrain and Spain saw the teams fortunes change for the better, with speed being found in a raft of new parts that catapulted them ahead of their closest rivals. Yes, they are still some way off the promise of latching on to the midfield but they are getting there...slowly. To improve, the 23-year-old just needs to stay out of trouble and keep raking in the race finishes because his performances aren't just impressing me.
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| (c) Caterham F1 Team |
Team: Caterham F1 Team
Points: 0
Best result: 14th (Hungary)
Grade: D-
I was debating this grade for a while because van der Garde's season has been similar to that of a roller-coaster ride. On one hand, his Monaco qualifying lap was stunning - getting him in to Q2 in tricky conditions - and he drove a strong Hungarian Grand Prix. However, he has also made some very rookie errors including crashing in to Mark Webber in Canada, as the Aussie attempted to lap him.
So I settled with D- because the good and the bad almost evened out. His performance in Hungary was good and as the season has progressed, he has looked more confident and comfortable in the car and has been able to push more. However, some rather inexcusable errors in Canada and losing his front wing a bit too much has tainted his debut season so far.
What Giedo needs to do now is consistently match his team-mate, close the gap on Pic and stay out of trouble. With the teams lagging behind at the back known for dropping a driver after one season, he has to tread carefully now and maintain the impression that he is slowly building up.
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| (c) Marussia F1 Team |
22nd: Max Chilton
Team: Marussia F1 Team
Points: 0
Best result: 14th (Monaco)
Grade: E
It's fair to say that Max Chilton wouldn't be driving in F1 if it wasn't for his substantial amount of backing. However, it is also fair to say that he gained his super license and seat on merit after a strong 2012 season racing in GP2. So why have I given him such a low grade?
It's simple. Comparing him directly to his team-mate, his performances have been very poor and his "inexperience" excuse after the first few rounds simply doesn't cut it because he has had just as much experience driving F1 machinery as Bianchi. He has consistently been over half a second down or more on the Frenchman in qualifying and seems to lose out even more in the races.
I'm patriotic, so love cheering on the Brits and seeing them do well. So it is disappointing for Chilton to be performing so poorly as the mid-way point of the season arrives. I hope he can find some more speed and close the gap to Bianchi because right now, he is some way off and that isn't helping his reputation. One positive point though is that he has finished every race so far, that is something to be proud of.
So those are my views on the drivers currently occupying positions 12 to 22 in the drivers standings. Keep an eye on the blog for my mid-season review on the top 11 drivers in the championship, including Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso.
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