(Motorsport-Total.com) – It’s one thing who won the Monaco Grand Prix. But it’s another matter which drivers delivered the best performance in Monte Carlo. Because in Formula 1, it’s not just the driver’s performance that counts. But crucially, also that of the car at his disposal, and of course, that of the team.
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To consider the driver’s performance in isolation from other factors is extremely difficult. Nevertheless, we dare to try. Our grading system consists of three pillars. Firstly: the fans. Our users now have the opportunity to rate the performances of all 22 drivers. Analogous to the school grading system from 1 (very good) to 6 (insufficient).
Secondly: the expert. Marc Surer, as in previous years, grades the performances of Max Verstappen & Co. And thirdly: the editorial team. We conduct our own small voting within our core Formula 1 team.
The three pillars then each contribute one-third to the overall grade for the weekend. The result is the ultimate ranking – which can be wonderfully discussed!
Our format is inspired by the grades given by football magazines after each match, for example. However, grading only as an editorial team was too subjective for us. To arrive at the most balanced judgment possible, we therefore ask for the help of our expert and our users.
Guide: How should you assign your grades?
For orientation: For Grade 1, a driver should have achieved something very special. For example, in relation to his teammate. Grade 2 is a very, very good performance by a world-class driver, lacking only one special element. Grade 3 and Grade 4 are good and bad average respectively – so actually still quite good!
Grade 5 is given for rather poorer performances, for example, if a driver is clearly dominated by his teammate all weekend or delivers an average performance and then causes an avoidable accident. Grade 6 should only be given in the “Brainfade” category – i.e., if a driver has done something particularly stupid.
Try to evaluate objectively! Of course, this is not always easy. But whether you are a fan of Max Verstappen or Fernando Alonso should not play a role in assigning the grade. No one will ever be able to completely detach themselves from personal preferences and prejudices. But at least trying contributes to a fairer grading system.
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Don’t be blinded by external influences! The grade should only reflect what the driver himself had control over. An example: Are degrading tires a driver factor or an external factor? If the tires degrade because the driver braked too late shortly before, this should negatively affect the grade. If the tires degrade due to a material defect, there should be no deductions.
Weight the race most heavily! Only there are points awarded. Performance on race day should account for about 70 percent of the grade. Qualifying 25. And the three free practice sessions a maximum of five. A run-off in free practice where a front wing flies off might cost a few minutes of practice time. One on race day might cost the victory.
What about a Sprint weekend? Then the weighting shifts a little. In the Sprint, the winner receives eight points. In the main race, 25. So one could say: Sprint qualifying and Sprint race should account for one-third of the grade, qualifying and Grand Prix the other two-thirds. And the only free practice session is only included in the evaluation if something extraordinary happened there. For example, a crash that jeopardized participation in subsequent sessions.
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Remember who is in which car! It’s easier to drive flawlessly with a Mercedes than with a Cadillac. This partly relativizes it when George Russell takes pole with an overwhelming lead and Sergio Perez spins. That might not have happened to him in a Mercedes. But…
… always ask yourselves: If two drivers were in the same car, who would perform better? Thus, one of the less talented drivers might only get a maximum of 3 or 4 even with a strong performance for him. Because in the same car, even on a good weekend, he would still perform worse than a Max Verstappen on a bad one.
Don’t take it too seriously! Of course, our grading system is an attempt to objectively classify driver performances. Ultimately, this is never 100 percent possible. Everyone evaluates things a little differently for themselves, and that’s okay. That’s why there are three pillars as a mutual corrective. Criticizing others for their opinion is fine. But it should always be done with the necessary respect! For example, in discussions within our community on social media.
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And now: Have fun grading! Click here for the voting!