Max Verstappen embarrasses the rest - again: 2026 Sao Paulo GP F1 driver ratings

It's all he knows. Max Verstappen achieved his third podium from the back of the grid in three races in Brazil.

This time he managed a second from a 20th starting spot, after winning from 17th in 2024 and grabbing a podium from the pitlane last year.

Norris took the win, Lewis Hamilton was god-like for one lap, but this was Verstappen’s day.

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2026 Sau Paolo GP - F1 drivers ratings

1 - Lando Norris: 9/10

Class of the field - apart from Milton Keynes's Flying Dutchman.

2. Max Verstappen: 10/10

Treacherous conditions on one of F1’s most fearsome tracks? No problem for Verstappen, as usual.

3. Isack Hadjar: 9/10

His best ever race in F1. Probably still complaining about something on team radio though.

4. George Russell: 7/10

Would have scored higher but for that indignant spin in the pitlane - summed up his season.

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5. Kimi Antonelli: 7/10

He’s all action. Takes the lead, spins off, wrestles his car to fifth.

6. Oscar Piastri: 7:10

Sad state of affairs that this has been one of his better 2026 results. Nowhere near his teammate Lando though.

7. Liam Lawson: 8/10

Yet again dragging his Racing Bulls car to where it shouldn’t be for most of the race, but had to settle for eighth against faster car.

8. Charles Leclerc: 5/10

Was anonymous most of the race, came back into it at the end through strategy.

9. Lewis Hamilton: 5/10

His bad race more a reflection on his team than Hamilton - his opening lap of 20th-9th was vintage stuff from F1’s most successful driver.

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10. Nico Hulkenberg: 8/10

The Hulk loves this track. Took his first pole here in a rubbish Williams in 2010, fought for the win here in a mediocre Force India in 2012, then takes an Audi to tenth in 2026.

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11. Arvid Lindblad: 7/10

18th to 11th in his celebratory Diwali crash helmet. Good work.

12. Fernando Alonso: 9/10

Wrestled one the worst cars ever produced by the factory that built Jordan/Force India/Aston Martin cars to 12th. Incredible.

13. Franco Colapinto: 5/10

Disappointing ‘home’ South American race for Argentinian Colapinto.

14. Pierre Gasly: 4/10

Rare non-performance from Gasly, Alpine just didn’t look at it in Brazil.

15. Alexander Albon: 7/10

Says a lot that 15th represents a decent result for Albon and Williams at the moment.

16. Gabriel Bortoleto: 4/10

Would have hoped for a lot more on his second home race.

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17. Oliver Bearman: 3/10

Yet another race where the Brit drags the car forward in the early stages, before the failings of his Haas car pull him back.

18. Sergio Perez: 8/10

Mixed it with much faster cars for a lot of the race.

19. Carlos Sainz: 3/10

Sheer misery for Sainz and co.

20. Rafael Camara: 2/10

Tough debut for a seriously promising rookie.

21. Lance Stroll: 0/10

Might never get back to his 1/10 from last week.

22. Valtteri Bottas: 0/10

Stood on the grid, hands on hips, while his team couldn’t get a stuck wheel nut off. Says it all really.