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  • Writer's pictureBen Waterworth

Round 16 F1 driver power rankings: King Charles reigns supreme

The Driver Power Rankings are as fascinating as the team ones with plenty of potential movement ready to happen after an exciting Italian Grand Prix.


Before we get to them, let’s get the disclaimer over and done with. You know the drill, these are all subjective and based mainly on my (incredibly smart) opinion mixed with form and on-track results, meaning it is a generally subjective list that holds no real weight except for the large basis of fact I like to think I can generate.


So with that in mind, let’s get to the rankings!


10. Franco Colapinto (new)

Hard not to put a guy who finishes 12th on debut in the top ten of the Power Rankings. Didn’t set the world on fire, but still did enough to show why Williams surprisingly picked him to replace Logan Sargeant.


(Photo by Formula 2)


9. Kevin Magnussen (new)

Yeah he got a race ban because of his driving, but his driving also netted him a point despite all the penalties. That is something that needs to be celebrated.


8. Alexander Albon (new)

Alex really does love Monza it seems. Alex also really does love driving well. It seemingly was a while since we saw such a performance by him, but when he is on it, he is on it. A great weekend.


7. George Russell (-)

A somewhat quiet weekend for George who still netted some decent points. Might’ve lost his title though for best strategic call of 2024 after this race.


6. Lewis Hamilton (-1)

Feels harsh to drop him as he really didn’t do anything wrong, but when others around him go up, there is nowhere else for him to go. Will be a much different experience for him in 12 months’ time when driving in Monza, which I for one can’t wait to see.


5. Carlos Sainz (+2)

Unlucky not to be on the podium as the brilliant call by Ferrari helped him out just as much as it did for Charles. Still a great drive from the Spaniard in his last home Ferrari race.


4. Max Verstappen (-2)

Max didn’t drive badly in Monza, he just wasn’t able to really pull a Max in a car that is seemingly getting worse. You can really see the frustration building in him too, which is going to make the remaining eight races all the more interesting.


(Photo by PlanetF1)


3. Oscar Piastri (-)

Another race win goes begging, meaning Oscar has probably lost more races this year than he has podiums. Lucky to have kept second too given the whole ‘Papaya Rules’ debate but one thing is clear: there was nothing wrong with his overtake on Norris on the opening lap and it was a great move to really showcase just how good he is. Let’s hope in 2025 he can do more of that to be more in the fight at the pointy end of the season.


2. Charles Leclerc (+2)

Not only was it a brilliant strategy by Ferrari to get Charles a famous win, but it was also amazing driving by him to help nurse the tyres all the way to the end. A second Italian Grand Prix win, added to his home win earlier this year. For all the bad luck he has had in the past at these races, it’s always great to see him break through for something good from time to time.


1. Lando Norris (-)

No matter how much he tries to ignore it, Lando really needs to work on his race starts. That’s five career pole positions now in which he has never led after the first lap. That is far more than bad luck. If he can get that part of his driving fixed, then he will be in a much better place.


What do you think of this list? Which order would you currently rank the drivers in? Let me know your thoughts below!

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