Who do you think is the worst driver of the first half of the Formula 1 season?
Evgeniy Kustov August 13, 2024, 16:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Red Bull’s number two or the Chinese and Americans are saying goodbye to F1?
The summer break in Formula 1 is an ideal time for all kinds of intermediate results, including, of course, driver ratings. The editors have already calculated the average scores of all drivers and identified the worst drivers of the first half of the season. But how much do you agree with our results, because how many people, so many opinions? Well, you have the opportunity to make a ranking of the worst drivers yourself, “sinking” the drivers who do not deserve it and elevating them above those with whom we were too harsh.
Use the ▼▲ arrows to select and write in the comments why you made this particular decision.
Important: The “Ranking” feature is available only in the regular version of the “Championship”. If you accessed this material through the search page, you will see a generated list without voting buttons.
Who is the worst driver of the first half of the Formula 1 season?
Photo: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images
Sergio Perez
The 2024 season is the worst for Perez in Formula 1. Sergio had problems before, but Checo mostly coped with the role of number two. Now everything is going badly for the Mexican: Red Bull does not even hide the fact that they were counting on more. Perez began to make frequent mistakes in qualifying, in Monaco he caused a three-car crash and looks weak on long stretches. And now even in Milton Keynes they are not sure that Sergio will keep his place for the 2026 season, even with a signed contract.
Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Logan Sergeant
Sargent received his contract for this year well in advance: his debut season was so bad that Logan, frankly, did not deserve an extension. The American, let’s be fair, has managed to make progress: there have been noticeably fewer mistakes and major accidents, but overall this still does not justify the progress. He still loses too much to Albon and cannot drive consistently: the good (sometimes) pace is overshadowed by one or another small mistake again and again.
Photo: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images
Daniel Ricciardo
Closer to the summer break, Ricciardo began to perform better: the Australian scored four points in Canada, performed well in Austria and got (after Russell’s disqualification) into the top 10 in Belgium. But at the start of the season, Daniel looked lackluster, was noticeably inferior to Yuki Tsunoda and lost to his teammate seven times in the first eight qualifiers. The good news is that the chance to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull has not yet been lost, but for this to happen, the second half of the season will have to be performed at an exceptionally high level.
Photo: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images
Guanyu Zhou
The Chinese driver is in his third season in Formula 1 this year, but he is still unable to keep up with Valtteri Bottas: In 13 qualifying sessions this season, Guanyu has beaten the Finn just once. On long stretches, Zhou’s pace also leaves much to be desired and he is therefore often in a DRS locomotive, from which it is impossible to get out. Kick-Sauber (read: Audi) has not yet decided on Hulkenberg’s partner, but Zhou needs to do something incredible to extend his contract.
Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Spear ride
Stroll is able to keep up with Alonso and even get ahead of the title-winning Spaniard from time to time, but the Canadian lacks stability. Strong weekends alternate with inexplicable failures, such as the crash with Ricciardo, which Lance accidentally caused in Shanghai. Stroll also had accidents at the Saudi Arabian and Belgian Grands Prix, without which the Canadian would have moved up several places in this ranking.
Photo: Peter Fox/Getty Images
Kevin Magnussen
Kevin Magnussen is also not doing well in the current season. The Dane is very unlucky in qualifying: he regularly has problems with traffic or pit stop timing. Kevin remains confident on long stages, but due to his low starting position, the driver does not have the opportunity to prove himself. Ultimately, his most memorable performances were as number two in Jeddah and Miami, where Magnussen received a total of six penalties.
Photo: Formula 1 via Getty Images
Stephen Ocon
Ocon has proven more than once that he is fast and has shown more than once that he is ready to fight to the end even with his own teammate, and this ultimately led to a clash with Gasly in Monaco and his subsequent dismissal from Alpine. At the same time, Esteban confidently surpasses his teammate in the standings (9-4) and, in addition, had a brilliant race in Canada, where he moved from 18th to 10th place. Unfortunately, the French driver has not had any other performances of this level this year.
Rating, according to the editors:
The 10 worst drivers of the first half of the F1 season, including Verstappen’s terrible teammate
