A typically dull one produced little action on the roads of Catalunya this weekend. Despite the predictable end product, some drivers did their best to inspire some action before the race gave out. Below are the best of those 4.
(As always this season, this list is sans Mercedes)
4. Carlos Sainz
Rounding out the 4 is a driver with a point left to prove. This season, his performance has dropped relative to his teammate. While this is to be expected with how lucky he was to finish 6th last season (just because there was no full-season red bull driver to beat him on points), it still must weigh on him. His early season luck hasn't helped either. Today though, he looked to get back to normal ways by beating Norris by a confident gap in all the meaningful sessions. One hopes that he can reproduce this form once he dons the scarlet overalls next season.
3. Sebastian Vettel
Vettel had a good race today in managing his tires as long as he did. While he did better than he maybe should have done, his teammate Leclerc was running ahead of him most of the race. Had he not retired, I don't think his performance would be garnering nearly as much praise. Given that this was still a solid and mature drive among a field of tame placements, he deserves his spot up here nonetheless.
2. Max Verstappen
Let's just make one thing clear: If these ratings weren't relative to recent performances, Max would be up here every week. This week's dull atmosphere gives us an opportunity to highlight his brilliance however, and there could be no better time. Max split the Mercedes deeply down the middle, and while his teammate Albon slips into Gasly territory, he looks better poised than even Bottas does to take Hamilton off the top step in 2020.
1. Lance Stroll (Im just as surprised as you are)
You'll see no consistent love from me about Stroll's position on the paddock. Like many, his continued place near the top of the grid seems dubious, but his successes should be celebrated just the same. This week is one of those. Despite the penalty to Perez, Stroll basically outraced him this weekend. A tit-for-tat qualifying battle ended in a swap of positions. His rapid start counts for a bunch here too.
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