US Grand Prix Driver Ratings

On a baking hot afternoon in Texas, Formula 1 drivers were tested to their limits. As the pressure on the title contending squads reaches an ever-greater level of intensity, the foremost challengers again showed their class, but were outshone by a standout drive from the upper midfield

Alex Kalinauckas Oct 25, 2021, 9:03 AM

Max Verstappen – 9

Stunned Mercedes with his pole-winning effort on a track where Red Bull hadn't topped qualifying since 2013 after making good set-up progress through practice. Misses the maximum because he lost the lead at the start, despite launching well. Executed Red Bull's aggressive strategy to perfection, keeping his tyres alive to raise his pace at the end. Benefited from Schumacher's Haas giving him DRS starting the final lap.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

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Author Alex Kalinauckas

Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.

A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.