Lewis Hamilton puts Leclerc on notice as £8m error exposed again – F1 power rankings

The British Grand Prix served up some compelling narratives in a thrilling wet-dry race. The greatest of them all, of course, was Lewis Hamilton claiming his first victory in 945 days.

He and others benefitted from the patches of rain that hit Silverstone on Sunday afternoon, while plenty couldn't cope with the chaos caused and paid the costly price as a result.

With that in mind, we've revised the Express Sport power rankings for the season as a whole, taking a look at the risers and the fallers as we assess each driver's performance relative to their car.

1. Max Verstappen (=)

Even when he hasn’t got the fastest (or even second fastest) machine on track, Verstappen is making the most of his Red Bull wherever he can. Fourth in quali was all he could’ve hoped for after damaging his floor.

A rare mistake, admittedly, but along with the team they got the race strategy spot on while others around them floundered. Just what the doctor ordered after Austria.

2. Lando Norris (=)

If McLaren had got their calls just half as right as Red Bull then Norris would’ve been on the top step of the podium. Easy to say in hindsight perhaps, but it seemed to be the obvious choice to opt for mediums instead of softs for the final stint.

You can’t put too much blame on Norris in that respect, though. He gave it his all throughout the testing conditions, but it just wasn’t his day.

3. Lewis Hamilton (+4)

Instead, it was Hamilton’s. A dream record-breaking ninth win at the home of British racing in the sort of script only he can seem to write.

It wasn’t quite the perfect weekend after Russell out-qualified him. Aside from that, it couldn’t have got much better as he rolled back the years in style, using all of his experience to adapt quicker than the rest of the pack.

4. Oscar Piastri (=)

Qualified fifth, finished fourth, and it could’ve been so much more for the Aussie. He was pushing his team-mate for the lead before the beginning of the end of his podium chances.

McLaren again were left to rue their decision-making as double stacking was the correct call to make. But Piastri didn’t moan about the delayed switch from the intermediates to softs, instead cracking on with the task at hand and making a good job of it at that. Exactly the sort of mindset needed.

5. Nico Hulkenberg (+1)

With every passing race, it’s looking more and more criminal that Hulkenberg was ever off the grid. He was simply superb all weekend - bar the race start when he lost three positions.

Ultimately, he clawed them back, which is all that matters come the chequered flag. Yet another example of experience winning out in the rain.

6. Carlos Sainz (-1)

A drop in the ranking for Sainz but only because Ferrari never threatened to join the frontrunners. Sixth to fifth with a fastest lap to boot is about all he could’ve asked for in reality.

A solid showing all round, in stark contrast to the other side of the garage - we'll get to that. He can’t do much more to make his ‘come and get me plea’ any greater.

7. George Russell (-4)

Yes, he got pole. And in a highly competitive Q3. But Russell’s one-lap pace has never been called into question.

It’s the goods that he produces on a Sunday which have often been lacking. Hamilton and Verstappen passed him before his unfortunate retirement, so his drop of four places is a mix of his shortcomings and those around him doing a better job.

8. Alex Albon (+3)

An equal best result of the season in ninth, Albon continues to carry Williams on his back. He’ll be needing a chiropractor soon the way he’s going.

9. Pierre Gasly (=)

His race was over before the lights had gone out, so Gasly’s a non-mover. That remarkable 50-place grid penalty meant we didn’t even see his true pace around Silverstone.

10. Charles Leclerc (-2)

Leclerc continues to tumble after last week’s drop from third. Nothing’s going right for him at the moment and one error compounded another across the weekend, with his Q2 exit leading to a risky - and wrong - strategy from Ferrari. If they were weighing up who their top driver should be next season, this weekend might just have given them their answer.

11. Yuki Tsunoda (+1)

After a recent dip in form, Tsunoda reminded everyone he’s RB’s top dog. A point on the board was well-earned.

12. Esteban Ocon (-2)

Ocon’s weekend never really got going. Poor calls from Alpine, including being one of those to move to inters too early, didn’t help his cause.

13. Lance Stroll (+3)

Tell you what, Stroll could be a title contender if every F1 race was in the wet. It’s not said often, but he out-performed Fernando Alonso. Good work to finish seventh.

14. Daniel Ricciardo (-1) 

While he’s not necessarily doing anything bad, Ricciardo just can’t keep up with Tsunoda. Falling two positions from qualifying didn't make for good reading.

15. Fernando Alonso (-1)

Alonso finished a place behind Stroll on the track so it’s only fair he’s below him in our rankings. A bit better than it has been for the F1 legend, although that’s not saying much.

16. Kevin Magnussen (-1)

Nearly got into top 10 contention, but the gulf between him and Hulkenberg has never been greater - as evidenced by his Q3 exit while his counterpart managed sixth.

17. Valtteri Bottas (+1)

Sauber are, at this point, without a doubt the worst car on the grid. Which leaves Bottas with little to do but scratch his head.

18. Sergio Perez (-1)

Is Perez playing one big practical joke on Red Bull? Can’t rule it out at this point. He continues to make his estimated £8m salary and contract extension look like charity currently.

19. Logan Sargeant (+1)

Off the bottom of the pile for Sargeant as he had one of his better F1 weekends. He was so much closer to where he should be behind Albon. Can he keep it up, is the question.

20. Zhou Guanyu (-1)

Out-qualified Bottas for the first time - Hooray! Finished four places behind him - Boo. He’s the slower man in the slowest car.