F1 Driver Ratings: Abu Dhabi 2020

Max Verstappen dominated the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to win for the second time in 2020. The Dutchman led from start to finish and was largely unchallenged at the Yas Marina circuit.

Valtteri Bottas was second, bouncing back somewhat from a difficult recent run of form whilst the returning Lewis Hamilton rounded out the podium.

Alexander Albon had one of his best races of the season to be fourth as McLaren’s Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz did enough to overhaul Racing Point in the constructors’ championship to secure third for the team.

As always, the order below is the finishing order of the Grand Prix.

2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina

Max Verstappen: 9.5/10

Valtteri Bottas: 8.5/10

Lewis Hamilton: 8/10

Alexander Albon: 7/10

Lando Norris: 9/10

Carlos Sainz: 8.5/10

Daniel Ricciardo: 8/10

Pierre Gasly: 7.5/10

Esteban Ocon: 7/10

Lance Stroll: 5.5/10

Daniil Kvyat: 7/10

Kimi Räikkönen: 8.5/10

Charles Leclerc: 7/10

Sebastian Vettel: 6/10

George Russell: 6.5/10

Antonio Giovinazzi: 6/10

Nicholas Latifi: 5/10

Kevin Magnussen: 5.5/10

Pietro Fittipaldi: 6.5/10

RETIRED

Sergio Perez: N/A

Verstappen led every lap having stolen pole position from the Mercedes drivers. It was relatively comfortable and only a last lap blast from Daniel Ricciardo prevented Verstappen from completing the grand slam (pole position, fastest lap of the race, lead every lap and win).

2020 has been Verstappen’s best year in F1 and he has arguably been the driver of the season. He is more than ready to fight for the world title, he just needs to hope Red Bull can be with Mercedes at the opening weekend of the season in 2021.

Kimi Raikkonen went under the radar in Abu Dhabi, recovering from an average qualifying. The Finn managed the traffic and his tyres very well to replicate his drive in 2012 when he won in Abu Dhabi with Lotus, except this time he was racing for positions outside the top ten.

He defended well from Charles Leclerc in the latter stages of the grand prix and it was a drive worthy of points.