After a dominant performance by the Mercedes team in the Canadian Grand Prix, is it enough to move the needle in the Formula One team power rankings?
NOTE: The “Last Week” category includes each team’s rankings in the previous edition of the Formula One team power rankings.
MCLAREN
Stoffel Vandoorne and Fernando Alonso, Honda
#10
Last Week: 10th (NC)
It’s another case of close but no cigar for McLaren. Fernando Alonso fell just five laps short of finishing Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix, and also scoring his first points of 2017 for himself and the team. With continued struggles with Honda, the patience of the former world champion team is at its end. Changes grow more and more likely for 2018, both with the engine supplier and with at least one of their drivers.
SAUBER
Pascal Wehrlein and Marcus Ericsson, Ferrari
#9
Last Week: 9th (NC)
In yet another attempt to bring up the rear of the field in Montreal, Sauber was once again saved by the ineptitude of the Honda engine supply for McLaren, bailing them out from the bottom of the grid. If team manager Monisha Kaltenborn wasn’t already nervous about switching to the Japanese marque for 2018, she should be now.
scuderia toro rosso
Carlos Sainz Jr. and Daniil Kvyat, Renault
#8
Last Week: 7th (-1)
A double retirement for Red Bull’s junior team was not what many had hoped for heading for Canada. Carlos Sainz Jr. had an embarrassing wreck with Kevin Magnussen and Felipe Massa on the third turn of the first lap, something expected out of a rookie rather than the senior member of the team. Meanwhile, an engine failure for Kvyat continues his terrible 2017 campaign, which is likely to spark the conversations about his role with the team beyond this year.
renault sport
Nico Hulkenberg and Jolyon Palmer, Renault
#7
Last Week: 8th (+1)
Nico Hulkenberg showed much promise this weekend with speed and ability with Renault Sport. Jolyon Palmer improved as well from his lackluster outing at the Monaco Grand Prix, finishing just outside of the points. However, it is foreboding that the NBCSN broadcast mentioned Palmer as already out of a ride for 2018.
HAAS F1
Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean, Ferrari
#6
Last Week: 6th (NC)
Another points paying finish for Romain Grosjean continues the streak for the young American team, but early contact for Kevin Magnussen with Carlos Sainz Jr. left some scratching their heads. To add insult to injury, Magnussen was penalized for passing under the virtual safety car. Could be better for the team, but could be a lot worse.
WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING
Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll, Mercedes
#5
Last Week: 5th (NC)
Lance Stroll has finally arrived in Formula One. The young rookie contended for a points paying spot all race long, and eventually settled for ninth. This became his first points of 2017, and a valuable set of points for Williams too. Felipe Massa being collected in a lap one crash meant all hope rested on the young Canadian’s shoulders.
FORCE INDIA
Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon, Mercedes
#4
Last Week: 4th (NC)
Welcome to the top five, Esteban Ocon. The sophomore driver proved on Sunday he belongs in the conversation for the podium, showing the most speed out of the midfield entries. However, there is trouble in paradise as Sergio Perez was not willing to step aside for his faster teammate. This led to a fierce final few laps between the teammates, and likely a few words exchanged between the young guns.
RED BULL RACING
Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, Tag Heuer
#3
Last Week: 3rd (NC)
Daniel Ricciardo has become Mr. Consistent, finishing at the final step of the podium for the third consecutive race. Meanwhile, on the other side of the coin, Max Verstappen is looking for a little bit of luck to finish a few races. If reliability issues continue to plague Red Bull this season, look for Force India to close the gap further and for Verstappen to seek out a new home.
scuderia ferrari
Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
#2
Last Week: 1st (-1)
Poor strategy decisions left Ferrari as the only team on a two-stop strategy. Couple that with damage to Sebastian Vettel’s nose on the opening lap, and the red dragons were battling from behind from the drop of the green flag on Sunday. While their ace still holds the championship lead, they are seeing Mercedes grow quickly in their rearview mirror.
NEXT POST: F1 Championship Standings after Canada
mercedes amg petronas
Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
#1
Last Week: 2nd (+1)
It was the weekend dreams are made of for Mercedes in Canada. Their star Lewis Hamilton won his sixth race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and tied Ayrton Senna for second all-time in poles. The team led every lap of the Canadian Grand Prix and sealed a 1-2 finish that lifted the silver arrows to the top of the constructors standings. Your move, Ferrari.