---
title: "Driver Ratings: 2018 Austrian Grand Prix"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2018/07/02/driver-ratings-2018-austrian-grand-prix/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Kyran Gibbons"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2018-07-02T11:26:35Z"
modified: "2018-07-02T11:26:35Z"
---

# Driver Ratings: 2018 Austrian Grand Prix

An attritional Austrian Grand Prix delivered heartache at Mercedes, as the team suffered its first mechanical double-DNF in Formula 1’s hybrid era, paving the way for a Max Verstappen win.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff dubbed it as the “worst day” in his six-year tenure at the team.

Having locked-out the front row, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas comfortably led in the opening stages.

Hydraulic failure struck Bottas’s car early on. His stranded Mercedes triggered a virtual safety car and while the Red Bulls and Ferraris took advantage and made their pitstops, race-leader Hamilton stayed out.

It was a strategic mistake that ultimately dropped him into fourth place and left Verstappen leading the race. He led every lap following Hamilton’s pitstop to claim a fourth career win.

Hamilton’s day continued its deterioration when a fuel pressure problem in the closing laps forced him into retirement.

Mercedes conceded the lead to Ferrari in the constructors’ championship and third-placed Sebastian Vettel regained the lead in the drivers’ standings from the unlucky Hamilton who seemed destined to win while leading early-on.

Here are out DRIVER RATINGS after a drama-filled 2018 Austrian Grand Prix.