F1 mid-season driver ratings featuring Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc

13 races down, the Formula 1 season is now on its month-long summer break, which will give the drivers and teams enough time to relax and recharge ahead of the final nine races of 2022.

It also gives Metro.co.uk time to reflect on what has been an interesting season so far, with the brand new cars producing some exciting racing, although thanks to the appalling decisions made by one team (we’re looking at you, Ferrari) a meaningful title fight has not materialised.

We’ll be giving every driver who has raced this season a rating out of 10 which will be based on their performances relative to the cars they’re driving:

1st Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 9/10

With eight wins and an 80-point lead in the championship, this is Verstappen’s title to lose and while he has certainly benefitted from Ferrari’s multiple implosions, the Dutchman has barely put a foot wrong all season and that’s what has allowed him to build the advantage he has.

Only three times this season has he failed to finish on the podium (all of them as a result of mechanical issues) and the reigning champion has thankfully added a new level of maturity to his driving (bar the occasional team radio outburst).

2nd Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 8/10

On pace alone, Leclerc is the quickest driver on the grid, as evidenced by his seven pole positions, and in truth he should be the one leading this championship.

Sadly, a combination of Ferrari’s strategy blunders, the poor reliability of his F1-75, and two costly crashes in Imola and France, has robbed him of numerous wins and podiums, but you can hardly blame the Monegasque for his team’s mistakes.

3rd Sergio Perez (Red Bull) – 8/10

Perez is doing exactly what Red Bull have asked of him: challenge at the top… just don’t beat