Nine races down, ten to go and it is time to assess a selection of the crème of the crop of 2010. Grand Prix drivers will be going back to school, as I grade how they have done from A to F. Some spectacular drives, farcical mistakes and controversial moments – the damming reports are in.
Jenson Button (McLaren Mercedes) A-
Jenson arrived at McLaren as the World Champion and some doubted whether he had made the right move – transferring into Hamilton’s den. He proved that wrong with fantastic strategically gambles that paid off with brilliant and unexpected victories in Melbourne and in China. A poor drive in Barcelona and a grumpy weekend in Monaco showed that Jenson still has some cracks in his mettle, but he has the consistency and the smoothness to become world champion again. Certainly, he’s a contender for the rest of the season. Well done Jenson on proving the critics, including myself wrong.
Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing Renault) B+
Sebastian Vettel has had the fastest car all season, yet mainly down to reliability, he hasn’t been able to dominate the championship. He lost certain victories in the first two races, and it soon became clear that Seb was feeling the pressure. Mark Webber hit the top of his game and Vettel’s response: To drive into his team-mate and ruin Red Bull’s chances of certain 1-2 in Istanbul. Sunday’s controlled win in Valencia has put him back in the mix, but no more mistakes can be afforded by both team and driver. Vettel is speedy, but still lacking the cutting edge on a consistent basis.
Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) A+
Lewis Hamilton heads to Silverstone and his home race in a fortnight’s time, leading the drivers’ championship. Over the balance of the first nine races, Hamilton has been the class of the field in 2010 and only, some bad luck on his side of the McLaren garage has denied him a bigger lead. A tyre explosion robbed him of a deserved 2nd place in the closing stages in Spain, and strategy gambles left him at the back and too much to do on raceday in Malaysia – plus a certain rostrum in the Australian Grand Prix. However, victories in Istanbul and Montreal showed his new ability to string together consistent results, and together with the aggression that we love to see Hamilton showing, Lewis could well be the man holding the cards. Top of the class, keep it up Lewis!
Rubens Barrichello (Williams Cosworth) B-
He is the most experienced soul in the paddock, and Rubens is still turning in some brilliant performances in some very tricky circumstances. The Williams is by far, nowhere near the strongest car in the field, but his development of the car and the way he has helped Nico Hulkenberg into the sport must be praised. Stirring points drives in Melbourne and Valencia have been the stand-ups in 2010, and if he can keep his cool, unlike he did following his Monaco race-ending crash, then more rewards will arrive in the second half of the season. His season is still well and truly alive.
Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) B+
When Fernando signed on the dotted line with Ferrari, surely this was the perfect combination and an ominous sign was sent out to everyone when he led team-mate Massa home to a Bahrain 1-2 in the season opener. However, he has made a series of enforced errors that have plagued his campaign. A blatant jumpstart in China, coupled with a practice smash in Monaco which ruined his weekend in the Principality and spinning on the first corner in Melbourne have left him needing a lot of recovery drives. Nevertheless, fighting efforts in Canada and Spain still highlight his true class, and he is still well in the reckoning for the championship. Solid, but must improve to stay in the race.
Felipe Massa (Ferrari) C+
Felipe Massa made a brilliant return to F1, with a strong, stirring drive to second place in Bahrain on his comeback. Two races later, he led the world championship, but now he lies 8th and pretty much out of contention already at the halfway stage. Apart from a gutsy 4th place drive on the streets of Monte Carlo, Massa’s performances have been very erratic and off-form. He was nowhere in comparison to team-mate Alonso in China, Spain or Canada and some will be questioning the wisdom of a recent new two-year deal. Massa needs to string performances together and fast.
Robert Kubica (Renault) B+
Finally, Robert Kubica has a place that he can firmly call home. Renault were not optimistic of their chances at the start of the season, but Kubica has put together a fantastic sequence of results, always been in the points since an 11th placed finish in the season opener in Bahrain. His best drive was a splendid 2nd place in Australia and in Monaco was simply awesome. A front row grid spot and a 3rd place finish capped one of the best individual weekends from a driver over the course of any weekend in F1 2010. Robert is not a championship contender this year, largely because he doesn’t have the machinery this season, but he could play a significant part in the destiny of who wins the title this year.
Michael Schumacher (Mercedes GP) D+
When Michael Schumacher made his Grand Prix comeback, everyone thought that he would be able to produce the goods, as he did at Ferrari. Nine races in and his comeback has been nothing short of disappointing. Mercedes have not given him the equipment, and that has limited his ability when it comes to results. However, some of his driving has been terrible, especially in Canada, when he deservedly came under-fire for some strong-arm tactics on Robert Kubica and his mentor, Felipe Massa. Apart from 4th placed results in Barcelona and Istanbul, there has been little to shout about on the king’s return to the sport. Must do better, or consider walking away again.
Jaime Alguesuari (Scuderia Toro Rosso Ferrari) C+
The sun has shone on Jaime Alguesuari this season, and he has been one of the most pleasant surprises in 2010. He outshone the highly-rated Sebastian Buemi in the early exchanges of the season, and produced two of the best overtaking moves of the season in Malaysia, on rookies Vitaly Petrov and Nico Hulkenberg. Another point followed in Barcelona and had he not ran into Karun Chandok in China, points were in the offering there too. Jaime can still be profile to the odd costly mistake and his qualifying needs to improve considerably. Nevertheless, he is showing rapid improvement on his all-round game and well worthy of an F1 seat.
Nico Rosberg (Mercedes GP) B+
Many felt that Nico Rosberg was going to lose this season, but in a battle with Michael Schumacher, he has largely outshone the mediocre seven-time world champion. Podiums in Malaysia and China were the high points, but results and performance have dipped as Mercedes have lost touch with the leading pack. Nevertheless, he is always getting the best out of his chassis every weekend, whatever that may be, and if he is doing that, then not much else can be asked of him. A good showing so far, that might need just a bit more polishing.
Adrian Sutil (Force India Mercedes) B-
Last year, Adrian Sutil showed his true potential and pace, but had a massive tendency to get into silly and unnecessary incidents. This season, after a shaky opening two races, he has really got into his stride, having always qualified on the fringes of the top ten and China aside, has always been in the points since Malaysia. He determined challenge to hold off a charging Hamilton in Sepang and winning a race-long tussle with Kubica at the Spanish Grand Prix have been the best moments. It has been a very consistent season from Sutil and a rapid improved figure, now well respected in the paddock.
Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing Renault) B+
Leaving Shanghai, Mark Webber was under pressure. No contract for 2011, and soundly beaten by Vettel in the first four races, he needed a change in his fortunes. Suddenly, he hit unbeatable form, with charging victories in Barcelona and a dominant drive in Monte Carlo. On course for a hat-trick in Istanbul, team-mate Vettel halted his momentum with the daft collision that handed McLaren a gift of a 1-2 in Turkey. Mistakes in Melbourne and Sepang have been costly and the serious crash he walked away from in Valencia still shows the cracks, that I think may deprive him of that maiden title he craves.
Vitaly Petrov (Renault) C-
Petrov is the first Russian to appear in Formula One, and has shown flashes of speed and promise though produce a tendency to damage too many Renault’s. Mistakes have blighted his season so far, with just a solitary 7th placed finish in China to his name. Nevertheless, he is a good foil for Kubica and with a bit more consistency; Vitaly Petrov could be here to stay in F1.
Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus Cosworth) C+
It is very difficult to grade the new teams, due to the equipment that they have at their disposal, certainly nowhere near the midfield. Nevertheless, Heikki Kovalainen looks like a very happy bunny at Lotus and is totally committed to the cause. He looks the one who could crack the midfield if Lotus gets their act together; Heikki Kovalainen is slowly rebuilding a shattered reputation.
Kamur Kobayashi (Sauber Ferrari) D
Kamur Kobayashi was Japan’s next best hope, and after two stirring drives for Toyota at the backend of last season, he looked like a shrewd capture by Peter Sauber. Whatever happened to him in the winter is almost unthinkable. Everytime you seen Kobayashi, he looks like an accident just waiting to happen. Some qualifying performances have been great, and his drive to 7th in Valencia showed us again what he can do. However, you feel Kobayashi should still have a ‘DANGER’ sign on him.
Jarno Trulli (Lotus Cosworth) F
I expected Jarno Trulli to relish the challenge of starting afresh at a new team, but how wrong was I. He looks fed up, never smiles and looks like a frustrated, forlorn figure, realising his career is now in its latter stages. His stupid lunge that nearly took off Karun Chandok’s head in Monaco highlights this fact. Time to retire to the vineyard I think, epic fail!
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