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Formula One: 2018 preseason driver power rankings

By Asher Fair

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 29: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB13 TAG Heuer, Sebastian Vettel of Germany driving the (5) Scuderia Ferrari SF70H and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO8 battle for position into turn one at the start during the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 29, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 29: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB13 TAG Heuer, Sebastian Vettel of Germany driving the (5) Scuderia Ferrari SF70H and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO8 battle for position into turn one at the start during the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 29, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 26: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB13 TAG Heuer (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 26: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB13 TAG Heuer (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

#8 through #5

Sergio Perez was one of the most consistent drivers in the field last season. He finished in 18 of the season’s 20 races, and he only finished outside of the top 10 in one of the 18 races that he finished. While he failed to record a podium finish for the first time since the 2013 season, as his top finish was a 4th place result, he still had his best career season from a drivers standings perspective and an average points per race perspective. Expect similar results for him in the upcoming season.. No. 11. Sahara Force India, Mercedes. SERGIO PEREZ. #8

ESTEBAN OCON. #7. Esteban Ocon had a historic rookie season in the 2017 season driving for Force India, and there is no reason to believe that he won’t be just as good if not better in the 2018 season. He failed to finish just one race, and he finished in the top 10 in 18 of the 19 races that he finished. He set an all-time Formula One record by opening up his career with 27 straight races without a retirement. Expect him to continue to impress some of the top teams in the sport this year.. No. 31. Sahara Force India, Mercedes

#6. Daniel Ricciardo seems poised for a big season given the fact that his contract with Red Bull Racing expires at the end of the season. However, if reliability issues plague him in the 2018 season like they did toward the end of the 2017 season, he may not be able to maximize his potential. It still seems safe to assume that he will win at least one race in 2018 even if he doesn’t manage to finish in the top 5 in the drivers standings as a result of potential reliability issues.. No. 3. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, Renault. DANIEL RICCIARDO

#5. Max Verstappen is clearly the driver that is set to be favored at Red Bull Racing now that he has signed with the team through the 2020 season. After winning one race for the team in the 2016 season and two for the team last season, expect him to win multiple races for the team in the 2018 season. With potential improved reliability from his Renault engine, he may even be a championship contender at the young age of only 20 years old.. No. 33. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, Renault. MAX VERSTAPPEN

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