Perfect 10 for Hamilton and Norris keeps fighting – driver ratings

Perfect 10 for Hamilton and Norris keeps fighting – driver ratingsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lewis Hamilton is second in the drivers’ championship, while McLaren’s world champion Lando Norris has moved up to fifth ByHarry BenjaminF1 commentator in BarcelonaPublished13 minutes agoLewis Hamilton claimed his maiden win for Ferrari on Sunday with victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion, 41, shared the podium with former Mercedes team-mate George Russell in second and reigning world champion Lando Norris in third, making it an all-British top three for the first time since 1968. Hamilton has narrowed the gap to 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli at the top of the drivers’ championship to 41 points, following the Italian’s retirement towards the end of the race. Here are my ratings for how the drivers performed across the whole weekend in Barcelona. Lewis Hamilton – 10/10The first 10 of the year. Normally I’d reserve this for topping every session but despite feeling out of sorts in the early part of the weekend, he found balance with the car. Only just missed out on pole and worked cleverly with the team to respond and tweak the strategy to take his first Ferrari grand prix win. Even without the virtual safety car, Hamilton’s’ pace was ominous. History made.George Russell – 8/10It looked like it could have been his weekend up until the race. Ultimately, neither Mercedes had the pace to battle the Ferrari but getting overtaken by team-mate Kimi Antonelli was salt in the wound. Lando Norris 9/10Kept himself in the fight all weekend and in the race but just missing that extra something from the McLaren. Applied some pressure but in the end was mainly in a race on his own.Max Verstappen – 8/10Not happy throughout practice. Surprised himself in qualifying and while the race pace didn’t match the front runners, he had a very good final stint to secure some needed points for Red Bull. Oscar Piastri – 6/10Another one where the Australian’s weekend faded. Normally, we’re used to seeing Piastri get stronger in every session but almost the opposite happened to the McLaren driver this weekend. Isack Hadjar – 7/10Very close to Red Bull team-mate Verstappen in qualifying. But wheelspin off the start line left him with a comeback drive.Pierre Gasly – 9/10Out-qualified by Alpine team-mate Franco Colapinto after struggling with brakes and trying to change the entire car. Good strategic call under the VSC and benefitted with points.Franco Colapinto – 8/10A better weekend but it’s still so up and down with Argentine Colapinto. Out-qualified Gasly but couldn’t match him in the race. Still secured points.Liam Lawson – 9/10Another great weekend for New Zealander Lawson, who nearly lost out due to the VSC but reliability issues for others combined with a quick car, and he’s once again in the points. Arvid Lindblad – 8/10Should have challenged for a spot in the final part of qualifying but Racing Bulls team-mate Lawson had the edge on him this weekend. Still had pace to bag another points finish.Hamilton wins first grand prix for Ferrari