F1 Chinese GP Driver Ratings: Lewis Hamilton rules at Shanghai, Ferrari play catch-up to Mercedes

#9 McLaren: Carlos Sainz Jr. - 14th

F1 Grand Prix of China - Qualifying

On a lighter note, it could be said that there doesn't seem a great chance of Carlos Sainz Jr. accepting Daniil Kvyat's friend request at any point in time in the future.

For a driver who was so determined to do well, especially after performing rather ordinarily in the qualifying, wherein Carlos Sainz Jr. managed no more than 14th, it didn't help the Spaniard's race one bit to have been clipped by Toro Rosso's Kvyat on the opening lap.

The McLaren and Toro Rosso drivers were battling through the exit of Turn 6 when the Russian driver managed to do nothing better than make contact with the MCL-34. From that point forward, there was hardly any chance for the Spanish driver to make up for what largely became a compromised race, sadly through no fault of his own.

Driver Rating: 4/10

Lando Norris - DNF

F1 Grand Prix of China - Final Practice

One of the most talented young drivers around, someone who had consistently beaten Kimi Raikkonen in the previous GPs qualifying run at Bahrain, Lando Norris too, endured a forgettable Chinese Grand Prix on this occasion.

Admittedly shocked and saddened, according to leading motorsport journalists, Norris - who started 15th on the grid - could do no better than managing a lowly P18, all thanks to the opening lap fiasco resulting from his miscalculated move.

Driver Rating: 3/10