12 members of the Formula Update team were asked to rank their top ten drivers of the 2015 season (so far) each driver was given points correlating to the real life Formula One points system (25 for 1st, 18 for 2nd, 15 for 3rd and so on). Here is the top 10 result.
10. Nico Hulkenberg (39 points)
For the first time in his Formula One career, Nico Hulkenberg remained at the same team for a second consecutive season. An undeveloped VJM08 meant scoring points in the opening half of the season would be difficult for the German. Despite finishing seventh in the season opener in Melbourne, Hulkenberg failed to finish in the top ten in the next five races. Prior to Canada, teammate Perez had the upper hand, however, a boost in confidence after winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans propelled him into scoring his best finish of the season at Austria after finishing sixth.
9. Daniil Kvyat (60 points)
The young Russian started 2015 slowly, only picking up five points in the opening five races. The turning point for the 21-year old was in Monaco where he put in a fine performance to come home fourth, ahead of teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Since Monaco, Kvyat has been the stronger of the two Red Bull drivers and scored his maiden Formula One podium at the Hungarian Grand Prix by finishing second. Kvyat’s confidence has grown and grown throughout the opening part of 2015 and is now showing his worth as a Red Bull driver.
8. Nico Rosberg (67 points)
Despite sitting second in the championship, Nico Rosberg is only eighth on our list. The German has three wins to his name and is only 21 points behind Lewis Hamilton who leads the drivers’ championship. Rosberg is well in the title fight. However, his inability to match Hamilton in qualifying this season is the main problem for him. Hamilton leads the qualifying battle 9-1 and with modern day Formula One so difficult to overtake, qualifying is crucial and whoever leads into turn one – out of the Mercedes duo usually wins.
7. Carlos Sainz (73 points)
The first of two rookies who have made our top ten ranking is Carlos Sainz. Despite only having nine championship points to his name, the young Spaniard has performed well in 2015. Sainz currently leads the qualifying battle 6-4 and when both cars have made the chequered flag, Sainz leads 3-1. Unfortunately for Sainz, teammate Verstappen has more points and the standout result after finishing fourth in Hungary.
6. Max Verstappen (99 points)
17-year old Max Verstappen has looked well at home during the opening stages of his Formula One career. Verstappen is currently the highest placed rookie in the drivers’ championship after his standout performance in Hungary which saw him finish fourth. Like Sainz, Verstappen has performed well during his debut Formula One season and is a deserving of sixth place in our driver ranking.
5. Daniel Ricciardo (113 points)
Fifth in our ranking is Daniel Ricciardo. After outperforming four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in 2014, many expected Ricciardo to convincingly outperform Kvyat in 2015. The early races proved this as Kvyat struggled but from Monaco, Ricciardo’s results faltered as he failed to finish in the points at Canada and Silverstone. The Aussie was back on the pace in Hungary but over aggressive driving cost him a chance of taking the victory.
4. Felipe Massa (132 points)
Felipe Massa looks back to his best in 2015. The Brazilian’s qualifying performances this season have been outstanding and currently leads the qualifying battle 6-4 against Bottas. Massa finished on the podium at Austria and finished fourth at Australia and Silverstone. Unlike 2014, Massa has finished every race and has yet to be involved in a major incident. Massa has been the stronger of the two Williams drivers and is unfortunate to be behind Bottas in our ranking.
3. Valtteri Bottas (135 points)
Bottas is the first driver on our mid-season podium. Despite only finishing on the podium on one occasion and is currently losing the qualifying battle against Massa 6-4. However, Bottas continues to show fantastic consistency and when there is an opportunity, he takes it. Bottas’ pace at the opening stages of the British Grand Prix was remarkable and had he been able to overtake teammate Massa – who led the race, Bottas perhaps could have achieved a better result than fifth. It has been a solid albeit unspectacular 2015 for the Finn.
2. Sebastian Vettel (237 points)
After a disappointing 2014 campaign, Sebastian Vettel has been simply outstanding in 2015. Two wins and seven podiums in 2015 make him my personal driver of the season. Other than Bahrain, Vettel has extracted the maximum performance from the Ferrari SF15-T and has made the most of every opportunity. The German has an outside chance of winning the championship but will have to rely on Hamilton slipping up rather than the pure performance of his Ferrari.
1. Lewis Hamilton (283 points)
Unsurprisingly, Lewis Hamilton is top of our mid-season rankings by quite a margin. The two-time world champion has upped his game and is in commanding form- especially in qualifying. Hamilton has 9 pole positions in 10 races to his name and has won five races. With Rosberg looking unable to challenge Hamilton on a consistent basis, it looks like the Brit will be crowned world champion once again.
Pastor Maldonado, Kimi Raikkonen and Roberto Merhi failed to score a single point in our ranking.
Let us know what you think, what would your top 10 driver ranking of 2015 be?
