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

#3 Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel - 3rd

F1 Grand Prix of China

Not always does one hear polarising reactions concerning a multiple world-champion, right? Even as Sebastian Vettel bagged the only podium for Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc finishing outside the top three, perhaps thanks to a strategic mismatch, what didn't help the German driver was that he just couldn't get his act together to battle either of the Mercedes cars out there on this occasion.

Still though, P3 is a lot better than not being on the podium at all. Isn't that right, Seb? It's his first podium of the 2019 campaign, so it can only improve from here...

Driver Rating: 6.5/10

Charles Leclerc - 5th

F1 Grand Prix of China

You could be anyone today, but you just don't want to be in the shoes of the young 21-year-old Monegasque driver, Charles Leclerc. The young Ferrari recruit was, for the better part of the Chinese Grand Prix, embroiled in a cat-and-mouse chase with his senior teammate, who, it is fair to say, he just couldn't understand in Shanghai's contest.

Moreover, who likes team-orders anyway, right Charles? But with all due respect, a P5 for Leclerc shouldn't be read as a disaster even although it could've been so much better. Who knows, perhaps a podium place? Yet one must credit the young Ferrari driver for delivering a brave show in his battle with Bottas towards the closing stages of the contest.

Driver Rating: 7/10