2026 Australian GP: Driver performance rating

Drivers and teams earn points based on their finishing positions in each race, which ultimately determines their championship standings. However, these points do not always reflect their true performance.

At Racemind, we evaluate each race weekend by analyzing drivers’ performances from multiple perspectives. While there is some subjectivity in the points we assign, we aim to reach an objective assessment by considering various factors.

We also consider a driver’s performance in qualifying (and in sprint-format weekends, the sprint qualifying and sprint race) when assigning points. Each main session is graded separately on a 10-point scale. The final score is calculated as follows:

• Standard weekends: Qualifying points × 0.4 + Race points × 0.6
• Sprint weekends: Sprint qualifying × 0.1 + Sprint race × 0.2 + Qualifying × 0.3 + Race × 0.4

Driver performance highlights from the Melbourne weekend:

George Russell – 8: The Briton started the season strongly with Mercedes, easily taking pole. Even when he fell back at the start, returning to the lead was not difficult. He made excellent use of the car’s capabilities.

Gabriel Bortoleto – 8: The Audi rookie outperformed his teammate in qualifying to reach the final session. He finished one position higher in the race, earning Audi its first F1 points and making history.

Arvid Lindblad, Oliver Berman – 7.6: Lindblad, a Racing Bulls rookie, advanced to the final session, finishing one position behind his teammate in qualifying but outperforming him in the race, ending 8th and earning his first F1 points. Berman qualified 12th but gained five positions during the race.

You can find the full table of all drivers’ performance points for the Melbourne weekend below.