With the sun setting on the 2021 F1® season, and the championship going down to the wire, it’s time to update the driver ratings of F1 2021.
As with all our rating updates, drivers are scored according to their Experience, Pace, Awareness, Racecraft, and Overall Rating, with the numbers weighted towards the season’s most recent race results.
Check out some of the more notable changes in this update of F1 2021, which goes up to (and includes) the Qatar Grand Prix:
F1 2021 Driver Ratings Update
Sergio Perez- 87 OVR (+1)
The final few races of the season have been favorable for Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez. Consecutive third and fourth-place finishes, including becoming the first Mexican driver to stand on the podium at their home Grand Prix, have upped his Experience, Racecraft, Pace, and Overall Rating by one point each.
Charles LeClerc & Carlos Sainz- 89 OVR (+1)
The latter part of 2021 has seen Ferrari bring the fight to their competitors for third place in the teams’ championship. Between Circuit of the Americas and Qatar, neither driver has finished outside the top eight. The US Grand Prix saw Charles Leclerc take an impressive fourth, just behind both Red Bulls and the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton. The fantastic form of both Ferrari drivers has meant Charles Leclerc’s Racecraft, Awareness, and Overall Rating have all increased by one, and Carlos Sainz’s Racecraft, Awareness, Pace, and Overall Rating have gone up by one too.
Sebastian Vettel- 90 OVR (+1)
Save for the second place in Azerbaijan, the Aston Martin driver’s season could be described as so-so, until very recently. Vettel scored top-ten finishes in three out of the four races included in this month’s rating update, most notably starting 18th on the grid in COTA and fighting his way into 10th. These results have meant his Experience, Racecraft, Pace, and Overall Rating have all gone up by one.
Lance Stroll- 82 OVR (-2)
In a reversal of his teammate’s form, Lance Stroll’s last few races have been ones to forget. Finishing below his teammate in three of the four races in this month’s update has meant that, whilst his Racecraft has risen one, his Pace has dropped two, and his Overall Rating by one.
Valtteri Bottas- 90 OVR (-1)
After a dominant winning display in Turkey, the last few races haven’t quite lived up to Bottas’ expectations. While he stood on the podium at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the 15th position in Mexico after starting from pole, 6th at the US Grand Prix, and a retirement in Qatar has dropped Valtteri’s Racecraft, Pace, and Overall Rating by one each.
Max Verstappen- 93 OVR (+1)
The drivers’ championship battle is going down to the wire. Wins in COTA and Mexico, followed by two-second places have increased Max Verstappen’s Racecraft, Pace, and Overall Rating by one each, while Lewis Hamilton’s strong performances have ensured he stays where he is. Heading into the last stretch of this season’s epic battle, Max Verstappen’s Overall Rating rises to 93, and Lewis remains one point higher on 94.
For those who are new to the driver ratings: in F1 2021’s My Team, you’ll become driver-owner of your Formula 1®team, and along with choosing the power unit and selecting your team’s name & colors, one of the most important decisions is that of your teammate. This is where the driver ratings come in – to help you decide who will be the best for you on your budget.
Let us know how you’re feeling about the F1 2021 rating update If you want to take a look at the full rating updates, you can do so here. Take look at our F1 2021 review here.