The 2026 Formula 1 season has been a rollercoaster of performances, and Edd Straw's mid-season rankings provide a fascinating insight into the drivers' standings. Here's my analysis and commentary on the top 20 drivers, with a focus on the personal interpretation and broader implications of their rankings.
1. Max Verstappen
What makes Max Verstappen stand out is his ability to consistently deliver outstanding performances, even in the face of challenges. His average ranking of 6.182 is a testament to his skill and the value he brings to Red Bull. The fact that he's only ranked 13th in China highlights his resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks. His performance in Hungary, where he secured second place, further emphasizes his importance to the team.
2. Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton's transformation from the lost Hamilton of 2025 to the driver we've seen in the first half of this season is remarkable. His average ranking of 6.636 showcases his continued dominance, despite the rough edges and penalties. Hamilton's first Ferrari grand prix win and his role as the team's leader demonstrate his enduring impact on the sport.
3. Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc's season has been a mix of high peaks and major lows. His average ranking of 10.455 reflects the challenges he's faced, particularly in the run from Montreal to Barcelona. However, his high peaks, such as his first place in Australia, showcase his potential. The switch to Carbon Industrie brake discs appears to have helped him pull out of his nosedive.
4. Lando Norris
Lando Norris's season has been a sleeper hit, with a consistent performance that has often seen him as the stronger McLaren driver. His average ranking of 10.818 is impressive, and his low point in China was partly due to his rankings potential being limited by missing the grand prix. Norris's ability to battle for podium finishes and consistently strong performance make him a driver to watch.
5. Pierre Gasly
Pierre Gasly's season has been another bankable performance, with a mix of stellar work and times where he struggled with the car. His average ranking of 8.545 reflects this balance. Gasly's ability to produce strong performances, even in the face of challenges, makes him a reliable asset for Alpine.
6. Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz's work across 2026 has been outstanding, with a focus on maximizing the potential of the Williams. His average ranking of 8.273 showcases his ability to consistently perform well, even in a season where scraping into Q2 or finishing 15th is sometimes the equivalent of a pole position or win. Sainz's performance has been a standout in a challenging season for the team.
7. Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli's season has been a massive impression, with a consistent performance that has often seen him have the measure of Russell. His average ranking of 9.364 is a testament to his skill and the value he brings to Alfa Romeo. Antonelli's ability to consistently perform well, despite the rough edges, makes him a formidable driver.
8. Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez's season has been a comeback, with a more impressive performance than his average ranking of 14.455 suggests. His determination in dragging the best out of the Cadillac machinery is admirable, and his unforced errors, such as the collision with Bottas in China, have impacted his rankings. Perez's performance has been a standout in a challenging season for the team.
9. Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon's season has been a battle for his place at Haas for 2027. His average ranking of 12.273 reflects the challenges he's faced, particularly with rear-end instability and poor tyre degradation. Ocon's ability to produce strong performances, even in the face of machinery problems, makes him a resilient driver.
10. Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso's season has been a rankings ceiling caused by the lack of pace of the Aston Martin and the car's inconsistency. However, he's usually been the faster Aston Martin driver and has made storming starts to haul the car to positions it didn't deserve. His performance in Hungary, despite a poor strategy, was a reminder of his skill.
11. Nyck de Vries
Nyck de Vries's season has been a mix of strong performances and patchy weekends. His average ranking of 13.273 reflects this balance. De Vries's ability to produce strong performances, even in the face of challenges, makes him a driver to watch.
12. Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri's season has been a difficult one, with a lack of pace and too many weekends where he's struggled. His average ranking of 11.273 reflects this challenge. Piastri's ability to produce strong performances, even in the face of setbacks, makes him a driver with potential.
13. Alex Albon
Alex Albon's season has been beset by problems, with precious few clean weekends. His average ranking of 15.273 reflects this challenge. Albon's ability to produce strong performances, even in the face of setbacks, makes him a driver with potential.
14. Pierre Gasly (second time)
Pierre Gasly's second appearance in this list showcases his versatility and ability to adapt to different cars and teams. His average ranking of 8.545 is a testament to his skill and the value he brings to Alpine.
15. Valtteri Bottas
Valtteri Bottas's season has been a positive one, with a trajectory that has seen him consistently perform well. His average ranking of 17.000 reflects this balance. Bottas's ability to produce strong performances, even in the face of team problems, makes him a reliable asset for Cadillac.
16. Lance Stroll
Lance Stroll's season has been a challenge, with the troubled Aston Martin limiting his performance potential. His average ranking of 17.545 reflects this challenge. Stroll's ability to produce strong performances, even in the face of setbacks, makes him a driver with potential.
17. Kevin Magnussen
Kevin Magnussen's season has been a mix of strong performances and patchy weekends. His average ranking of 14.727 reflects this balance. Magnussen's ability to produce strong performances, even in the face of challenges, makes him a driver to watch.
18. Nico Hulkenberg
Nico Hulkenberg's season has been a patchy one, with poor starts and errors impacting his rankings. His average ranking of 14.455 reflects this challenge. Hulkenberg's ability to produce strong performances, even in the face of setbacks, makes him a driver with potential.
19. Logan Sargeant
Logan Sargeant's season has been a mix of strong performances and patchy weekends. His average ranking of 13.273 reflects this balance. Sargeant's ability to produce strong performances, even in the face of challenges, makes him a driver to watch.
20. Guanyu Zhou
Guanyu Zhou's season has been a mix of strong performances and patchy weekends. His average ranking of 12.818 reflects this balance. Zhou's ability to produce strong performances, even in the face of challenges, makes him a driver to watch.
