Beyond the Flag
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Formula 1: Post-race driver grades after 2018 German Grand Prix

By Benjamin Kuhl

HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY - JULY 22: Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with second placed Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP and Head of Mercedes Cars Dieter Zetsche on the podium during the Formula One Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring on July 22, 2018 in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY - JULY 22: Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with second placed Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP and Head of Mercedes Cars Dieter Zetsche on the podium during the Formula One Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring on July 22, 2018 in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /
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HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY – JULY 22:  Formula One Grand Prix of Germany (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY – JULY 22:  Formula One Grand Prix of Germany (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images /

The mid-pack

B+. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen had a quiet race . He qualified in fourth place and finishing in the same position. At the moment, Red Bull Racing sit in an odd place, as they are faster than the mid-pack challengers of Renault Sport and Haas, yet they are just a tad slower than Ferrari and Mercedes. Verstappen will be looking forward to the tighter circuit of Budapest at the Hungarian Grand Prix this week.. No. 33. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, Renault. MAX VERSTAPPEN

Sahara Force India, Mercedes. SERGIO PEREZ. B. Sergio Perez helped cap off a successful weekend for the Sahara Force India team. He qualified in 10th place and worked his way up into seventh despite the fact that he spun out during the race. With both Force India drivers finishing inside the points, the race for the mid-pack championship has grown tighter once again. Perez will be looking for point-scoring finishes on a more consistent basis in the future.. No. 11

No. 9. Alfa Romeo Sauber, Ferrari. MARCUS ERICSSON. C. Alfa Romeo Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson managed to achieve a rarity of outdriving teammate Charles Leclerc by qualifying in 13th place and finishing up inside the points in ninth. He benefited from other drivers being unable to finish the race due to mechanical issues or other issues.

C+. Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Brendon Hartley has been grasping for any positive takeaways from the 2018 season. He qualified in 16th place and was able to take advantage of competitors failing to finish the race as well as staying on the correct tire strategy when the rain began to drizzle. This helped him to finish six positions higher than his starting position in 10th, earning him another championship point.. No. 28. Scuderia Toro Rosso, Honda. BRENDON HARTLEY

Haas driver Romain Grosjean had the potential to have another record-breaking day. The Frenchman battled early at the start but found trouble moving up past other mid-pack drivers. Later in the race when the rain came, the Haas team made the unfortunate decision to bring in both drivers and change their tires to intermediate compound tires. When the track dried, the team were forced to stop again for dry tires. With 10 laps remaining, Grosjean put the bit between his teeth and passed four drivers to fight back up to his qualifying position of sixth place.. No. 8. Haas, Ferrari. ROMAIN GROSJEAN. C

McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne came into the weekend suffering from finishing out of the points in previous races as well as an incredibly confused McLaren team. He qualified in 18th place and finished near the points in 13th. The rain acted as an opportunity for him to make up positions in the changing conditions.. No. 2. McLaren, Renault. STOFFEL VANDOORNE. C

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