Formula 1: Driver grades after the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix

CHARLES LECLERC. B+. Charles Leclerc took home the “best of the rest” title this weekend after finishing in seventh place. After starting in seventh behind teammate Marcus Ericsson, the Monegasque was quick to jump into sixth within the first lap. However, he had to settle for seventh after being overtaken by Daniel Ricciardo. The future Ferrari driver had a solid race given the fact that he finished ahead of the rival Haas and Force India drivers as well as the fact that cars in this era have had more impact on races than drivers’ skills have. I can’t wait until next year to see him in a Ferrari.. No. 16. Alfa Romeo Sauber, Ferrari

ROMAIN GROSJEAN. B. After the first-lap crash with Marcus Ericsson, Romain Grosjean came back strong to finish in eighth place behind Charles Leclerc. Grosjean had a quiet race after the first lap. There isn’t much to be said here. Even though he didn’t gain any places, he definitely put in a strong performance, which will definitely will be a confidence booster for him for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and for next season.. No. 8. Haas, Ferrari

No. 20. Haas, Ferrari. KEVIN MAGNUSSEN. B. After starting in 11th place on the grid, Kevin Magnussen got off to a bad start, as he lost positions during the first lap. He did a decent job, however, in getting back those positions. He finished in the points in ninth place behind teammate Romain Grosjean. This was his first points finish since the Russian Grand Prix.

Sergio Perez had quite a lonely race in Brazil. The Mexican started in 12th place and gained two places to finish in 10th and earn one point for himself and his team. There wasn’t much that Checo left undone after finishing in the points even though he started only 12th. It was a decent performance by Perez.. No. 11. Racing Point Force India, Mercedes. SERGIO PEREZ. B

Uncertain about his future in Formula 1, Brendon Hartley had a good race after gaining five places to finish in 11th place. He outperformed teammate Pierre Gasly, who started in ninth, and made a good effort to retain his seat for 2019. There was not much that the Kiwi could have done better, as he finished behind Sergio Perez with a huge gap to Perez. All in all, it was a good race for the Scuderia Toro Rosso driver.. No. 28. Scuderia Toro Rosso, Honda. BRENDON HARTLEY. B

B-. It was not an ideal weekend for McLaren or Stoffel Vandoorne.  After a poor qualifying session, the Belgian started last on the grid and finished in 15th place, gaining five places. While he finished ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso, he couldn’t do enough to finish in the points. He also took a five-second penalty for ignoring blue flags. It was just a consolation race for Vandoorne.. No. 2. McLaren, Renault. STOFFEL VANDOORNE

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Mercedes. VALTTERI BOTTAS. C+. After getting off to a flying start, Valtteri Bottas got past Sebastian Vettel for second place in turn two. The race only progressed to get bad for Bottas. The Finn soon lost places to Max Verstappen, Kimi Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo to mange to finish in only fifth. The constructor championship for Mercedes certainly did come as a consolation, but the Brazilian Grand Prix was definitely not a race to remember for Bottas.. No. 77