Which Formula One driver made the most of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend?
It’s time to give your verdict on which driver did the best with the equipment at their disposal over the last five days.
Review how each driver got on below and vote for who impressed you the most at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Driver performance summary
Vote for your driver of the weekend
Which driver do you think did the best job throughout the race weekend?
Who got the most out of their car in qualifying and the race? Who put their team mate in the shade?
Cast your vote below and explain why you chose the driver you picked in the comments.
Who was the best driver of the 2018 Mexican Grand Prix weekend?
- No opinion (2%)
- Charles Leclerc (7%)
- Marcus Ericsson (1%)
- Stoffel Vandoorne (4%)
- Fernando Alonso (0%)
- Kevin Magnussen (1%)
- Romain Grosjean (0%)
- Brendon Hartley (0%)
- Pierre Gasly (2%)
- Carlos Sainz Jnr (0%)
- Nico Hulkenberg (8%)
- Sergey Sirotkin (0%)
- Lance Stroll (0%)
- Esteban Ocon (0%)
- Sergio Perez (0%)
- Max Verstappen (60%)
- Daniel Ricciardo (9%)
- Kimi Raikkonen (0%)
- Sebastian Vettel (7%)
- Valtteri Bottas (0%)
- Lewis Hamilton (2%)
Total Voters: 195
Loading ...An RaceFans account is required in order to vote. If you do not have one, register an account here or read more about registering here
When this poll is closed the result will be displayed instead of the voting form.
2018 Mexican Grand Prix
- Gasly-Ocon rivalry is “not good for either of us”
- “These tyres are a disgrace for F1”: Over 300 Mexican GP team radio messages
- Leclerc told 50 times to save his tyres in Sauber’s extreme Mexico strategy
- Verstappen breaks record for most wins without a pole
- “It’s crazy we’re not in this race”: Hamilton’s full Mexican GP team radio transcript
Debates and polls
- Do you believe Red Bull will win every grand prix in 2023?
- Are we in for a closer title fight? 20 questions for the 2023 Formula 1 season
- Which F1 drivers will beat their team mates in 2023?
- Is Alonso right about Stroll? Which F1 drivers have shown they are potential champions?
- Has Ferrari made the right move by hiring Vasseur to replace Binotto?
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th October 2018, 2:13
Easy peasy, Maxy.
ColdFly (@)
29th October 2018, 6:53
We shouldn’t be too fast rewarding the Sunday winner with the DOTW, @phylyp.
Vettel had a very impressive weekend. He only lost at the start because he was boxed in by the other drivers (as if orchestrated by Lewis).
And Ricciardo as well should be considered because he won on Saturday and very impressively held the charging Vettel behind (I think he could have defended until the end).
But of course Verstappen’s weekend was very strong. He ‘drove around’ his car hiccups on Saturday and never ever contemplated coming in second on Sunday.
I was very disappointed by the Finnish number two driver; Raikkonen this time. Why did he leave the door open when Hamilton overtook him?
Ferrari should demote him to their junior team.
PS a big shout out for the organisers and Mexican fans. If only every GP weekend could be this Grand.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th October 2018, 6:59
@coldfly – oh, I don’t default to the Sunday winner for the DotW in most cases (I did last week, however, but my excuse for that is “Kimi” :-) and you can’t begrudge me that ).
Quoting one of my other comments made in relation to Max’s performance this weekend:
So, to me it was his excellent FP showing + the ‘almost’ pole + race win that earned him my vote. (Not too convinced about the engine hiccups in Q3, btw, has someone other than Max confirmed that?)
I echo your sentiment about the organizers making it grand. Definitely worth terming it a “F1esta”. It makes one question the approach of other promoters who just skate by on the passion of fans, and the money being thrown at it, instead of working for a genuinely compelling weekend.
ColdFly (@)
29th October 2018, 7:10
@phylyp
I thought the dictionary was writing your earlier comments;)
F1esta indeed (need to add that one too the dictionary). Having Armin spining below the podium might not be everybody’s cattle of fish, but it beats the concerts at Albert Park where you have to wait hours before the band comes up.
ColdFly (@)
29th October 2018, 10:56
‘writing’ = ‘quoting’
the result of swiping & autocorrect on a small screen :(
doesn’t explain ‘spining’ though.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th October 2018, 14:43
@coldfly – ah, join the petition for an edit button :-)
Joao (@johnmilk)
29th October 2018, 9:39
F1 needs to go to place where fans feel that passion, doesn’t matter to visit countries that don’t care for the thing, that would be the approach Liberty should take, because sometimes the promoters can only do as much
Joao (@johnmilk)
29th October 2018, 9:18
to be honest @phylyp I don’t know if the problem is from the broadcasting that doesn’t show us anything from the midfield, or if people only vote according to the race, or if people only vote in their favourite driver.
But seeing the poll and the comments below if seems that everyone lost part of the race. I went with Charles Leclerc, firstly because he pass the criteria of out-qualifying and finishing ahead of his teammate, that for me is fundamental in the driver of the weekend. And then if I compare to the others that did the same but finished ahead of him I feel he had a stronger race. Hulk for example did qualified better than Sainz, but lost the position at the start and he didn’t manage to regain it until his team-mate engine went pop. Hamilton also applies on that criteria but he struggled during the race finishing way behind the leaders. And Vettel, well it just felt wrong to vote for him, he simply can’t play with us like this, the guy produces a performance like this in the day we say goodbye to the championship? Sorry that won’t do, even though he managed to be ahead of cars that were faster than his (Ricciardo).
That is my take on the DOTW
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th October 2018, 9:21
Good points, @johnmilk and a good viewpoint for voting for Leclerc.
Joao (@johnmilk)
29th October 2018, 9:37
@phylyp now just change your vote to Charles we will be fine
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th October 2018, 9:48
@johnmilk – I have found a sudden inability scroll up this page. Must be magic ;-)
Joao (@johnmilk)
29th October 2018, 10:05
Ii release you from the spell @phylyp
ColdFly (@)
29th October 2018, 9:45
I don’t think Leclerc was that special (certainly not better than Verstappen, Vettel, Ricciardo), @johnmilk.
He beat his teammate (Ericsson) which is leagues less impressive than what Ricciardo did.
Ericsson was actually faster during the middle stint (he lost most time because he stayed too long on the Hypers).
And Perez overtook Leclerc during the race (I don’t recall anybody overtaking Verstappen, and I don’t count Bottas’ turn 1 move on Vettel as an overtake).
Good racer and great talent, Leclerc. But far from his best performance this weekend IMO.
Joao (@johnmilk)
29th October 2018, 10:14
@coldfly I think it was equally as good if not better than those you mentioned, but maybe not as spectacular but that isn’t really his fault, and as I said, the driver of the weekend for me has to accomplish at least two things, finishing ahead of his team-mate both in quali and in the race. Perez overtaking him is normal considering the difference in pace between the two cars, remember the RPFC (you know that thing that phones use to touch each other and share things?) qualified with the ultras. Leclerc also had almost 0.4s difference to Ericsson in qualifying in a really short track.
ColdFly (@)
29th October 2018, 11:03
From memory, Perez in his RSPCA did not qualify in the top 10 and started on Super Softs, @johnmilk.
And in the thin air the Sauber was clearly faster than the RSVP’s.
Joao (@johnmilk)
29th October 2018, 11:11
@coldfly exactly he qualified on the ultras and did not get into the top 10, but in Q1 Perez did a 1.16.2 compared to the 1.16.8 of Leclerc. And because he was knocked out in Q2 he was able to start the race on his preferred tyre, in this case the Super soft. Ocon also tried the SS in Q2 and was only 0.5s behind Leclerc despite being on a tyre that had a bigger pace difference than that
nase
29th October 2018, 13:32
@coldfly
Erm, but the Saubers only made one pit stop each. There was no such thing as a ‘middle stint’. They changed tyres on lap 13 (Leclerc) and 16 (Ericsson), and from then on it was a single set of Supersofts till the end of the race.
Yes, Ericsson did gain on Leclerc in the first half of the final stint, reducing the gap to just under 6 seconds on lap 51. But the stint was far from over at that stage, and so Leclerc simply turned the tables and drove away from Vandoorne and Ericsson, increasing the gap over his team mate by over 25 seconds in the last 18 laps (i.e. over 1.4 seconds per lap).
In other words: The initially decreasing gap can easily be explained by tyre management. Leclerc took it easy, Ericsson didn’t. Leclerc finished his stint setting the 6th fastest lap of anyone (1:20.5), on tyres that were 54 laps old at that stage. By contrast, Ericsson, who had pitted 3 laps later and didn’t even reach 54 laps on this set of tyres, only managed to lap under 1:23 exactly once, by a couple of tenths.
Ericsson’s temporary gains were just a failure to conserve his tyres when he should’ve done so. Leclerc still outperformed him hands down over the complete stint.
jimbo
29th October 2018, 17:41
The team asked Ericsson to SLOW DOWN to help Leclerc build a gap and kept him out longer driving slow to slow down the drivers behind. They sacrificed Ericssons race and also botched the pit stop with troubles on left front. Without this Ericsson was as fast or faster than Leclerc.
Also, the team asked Leclerc to not push his tyres in the end but he did anyway risking to destroy the tires. Thats when he posted faster times when low on fuel.
Leclerc did a good race and Ericsson as well. lets leave it with that..
nase
30th October 2018, 11:29
@ jimbo
When did they say that? Before the pit stop? Then that has absolutely nothing to do with what I said.
jimbo
30th October 2018, 15:45
lets repeat
“Also, the team asked Leclerc to not push his tyres in the end but he did anyway risking to destroy the tires. Thats when he posted faster times when low on fuel.”
marcus closed in and then was asked to manage his tyres. same with leclerc but he ignored the team thus pulling away from marcus again with no benifit other than risk of loosing P7 if his tyres went of the cliff..
I dont get the whole he destroyed him jargong. they both did a great race, sauber is P8 in the constructors champ. Great for Sauber and their drivers!
(marcus gave up many seconds in the first stint holding up drivers for leclerc and lost 5+ seconds in the pit stop. you do the math…)
Prarag Chopra (@prarag-chopra)
29th October 2018, 2:59
I just wish Hulk gets a car that competes fir podiums next year. Can’t stand the fact that he has no podiums but Stroll has one. Hulk has been so good this year.
Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
29th October 2018, 8:00
Well Stroll got a podium in a worse car and Hulkenberg threw away a chance of getting one that day. And he also has one or two other occasions. Bottas managed one in 2015 when Williams were certainly now stronger then Forci India that season overall. Perez managed 2, and Hulkenberg still none. He’s possible has been a bit unlucky, but none in all this time despite being in a reasonable team most of the time isn’t very impressive to me. Perez has loads now and got a good deal of them while being team mates with Hulkenberg.
Krommenaas (@krommenaas)
29th October 2018, 8:41
Every podium by a driver not in the top 3 teams just means he was best-of-the-rest that day. Hulk has been best-of-the-rest many times, just not when 4 of the top cars were having problems. It’s 100% a matter of luck.
JohnH (@johnrkh)
29th October 2018, 3:02
Verstappen didn’t quite make it last time in my eyes, but this time yes he drove very well all weekend. Fast clean and precise.
Interesting interview by Will Buxton with him on F1 Paddock Pass. Verstappen admitted he was over driving in the first part of the yr, so he “slowed” down a bit witch made him faster.
Leclerc next, Vettel needs to lift his game next yr I think.
Aldoid
29th October 2018, 5:56
Gotta be Max. Easiest vote ever. Sure he missed out on pole, but was otherwise faultless over the weekend.
Godwin Joseph (@godwin)
29th October 2018, 6:20
I voted for Vandoorne because last time I voted for Max (From P18 to P2), Same reason and he deserves it… he did a awesome job hanging on to the McLaren.
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
29th October 2018, 6:52
Vandoorne and Sainz.
Aaditya (@neutronstar)
29th October 2018, 7:02
@hahostolze Why Sainz?
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
29th October 2018, 7:07
Just felt that he was very impressive in the race and had a promising position torn away. Close enough to Hulk in quali where Hulk is usually stronger. Idk, gut feeling?
Aaditya (@neutronstar)
29th October 2018, 7:20
@hahostolze Ah, I see. Yeah, he was impressive in the race, but his great start had a lot to do with him running ahead of the Hulk and they were still running pretty close in the race. The credit for his start can only go to him, though.
Cristian (@panzik)
29th October 2018, 7:27
3 tenths gap from Hulk, in this track, in qualy was massive, sainz wasn’t close enough to hulk
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
29th October 2018, 8:52
I guess I was wrong ;-) Just felt that way to me.
Joao (@johnmilk)
29th October 2018, 9:20
@hahostolze those feel like pity votes, it’s like you are voting for them because both will end their careers next year (wink wink)
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
29th October 2018, 9:28
@johnmilk hahaha, the black hole that is McLaren
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th October 2018, 9:50
@johnmilk @hahostolze LOL :-)
F1sauber (@f1sauber)
29th October 2018, 7:36
Beside the winner, Max and the champion Lewis, is good to recognize Leclerc and Ericsson who seem to enjoy a strong come back from Sauber after so many years of ‘sleep’.
nase
29th October 2018, 8:18
@f1sauber
They’ve overtaken Toro Rosso in the CWC standing, no less.
14 points scoring results so far, vs. 8 by Red Bull’s B team. Their consistency (also: Leclerc) is starting to pay off. If Sauber can hold on to 8th place, that’d be like winning the Tier 3 CWC.
Roel K. (@rj01)
29th October 2018, 7:57
Daniel for once, because of his mighty all or nothing Q3 lap and that big smile on his face. The smiling assassin.
But the real winners were the Mexican fans. They do know how to have a good time at a GP weekend.
Neil (@neilosjames)
29th October 2018, 9:07
Straight choice for me between two of the Vs, Verstappen and Vandoorne.
Both were narrowly outqualified by their team-mates but had great races. Verstappen controlled things from the front and can’t really be faulted at all… Vandoorne had one of his best races for McLaren – P19 after the first lap and finished P8, which is hugely impressive in such a turd of a car.
Either deserved it but I voted for Stoffel as it might, sadly, be the last time I get the chance.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th October 2018, 9:52
@neilosjames – I really thought this would be the weekend Vandoorne broke his poor qualifying streak, but then the track evolved and Alonso put his car well ahead :-(
David BR (@david-br)
29th October 2018, 9:20
Vettel. It would have been Max but he didn’t make pole, so no. Vettel’s qualifying was good (along with Hamilton’s) given the Red Bull advantage and his race was a pretty epic attempt to win against all the odds and the futility even if he did. After a bad season, to do that showed determination and some courage.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th October 2018, 9:55
@david-br – I personally wouldn’t have voted for Vettel (despite his quali and race performances), but I have to agree with your underlying point – he drove a very good race, nothing desperate in it, but a very determined drive. I’m hopeful that this Saturday & Sunday is a sign that he will bounce back next year.
David BR (@david-br)
29th October 2018, 10:06
@phylyp The season has been about the weak points in his racing, but Mexico showed his three strong points, pace, tenacity and courage. He knew a strong race would more than likely just put him on the podium and have to face Hamilton winning the championship right there in everyone’s gaze, but he did it with dignity. Verstappen drove brilliantly in the race from the start, but he really should have won pole and knows it. So much as admired his comeback, Vettel had a better weekend I thought. I agree about next year. Vettel needs a whole season of the kind of race he did on Sunday, including safely getting past rivals.
Robbie (@robbie)
29th October 2018, 12:17
He barely slept because he should have been won pole and he knows it, but his reason for it was for a technical glitch which he had had before in practice. Assuming that wasn’t just an excuse, I’ll not take away from his dominant weekend because a technical problem robbed him of pole (as did DR’s great run) by a mere few feet. Ie. you can’t look at that side by side comparison of Max and DR’s quali runs and say Max was a slouch.
David BR (@david-br)
29th October 2018, 13:29
Fair enough @robbie, on another Monday morning I might agree! I think the disappointment inspired Max, a really good sign for his future.
Robbie (@robbie)
29th October 2018, 14:13
@david-br Fair comment.
krxx
29th October 2018, 20:04
Hahahahh, a one-two VER-hugging move.
1) If you would have to determine one’s ‘true’ grid position by listening to the driver’s own assessments, you’d have 20 guys on pole.
2) And even if you would change the true grid position after listening to an interview, VER is just too much an unreliable source. He has denied he makes double or even triple moves, while it’s caught on camera several times; he denied having forced Botas off-track in Monza, while also on camer; claimed he did not go over the kerbs last week in US-quali in a different manner as before, excusing Grosjean of brake testing him after crashing out in Monaco, while data proved it to be wrong (2016) etc etc. Oh yeah, also the 150HP increase in quali in Bahrain in which he crashed, which was ridiculed by Hulk, comes to mind.
VER cannot handle the truth/reality whenever he gets beaten/screws up and then just resorts to lying.
Pretty much the same thing you as FBoys resort to whenever he gets beaten/screws up (just like some of you even said he didn’t want pole last time out, he didn’t want that record LOL).
Jere (@jerejj)
29th October 2018, 10:32
Verstappen easily although Vandoorne deserves an honorable mention as well.
erikje
29th October 2018, 11:31
That’s a no brainer.. FP1: fastest, FP2, Fastest, FP3 fastest, Quali lost pole by 0.026s and Race: winner.
If you choose a driver of the weekend there can be no other than Verstappen.
But some others did great to.
Vettel: fighting till the end.
Leclerc: nice work
Hulk: steady as it goes.
And a hug for Danny, if he ever had a change for a podium, the Renault engine took it from him.
erikje
29th October 2018, 14:49
perhaps the RB clutch did it.. it seems.
lost his chances there..