Sebastian Vettel 2019 F1 driver ratings: Every grand prix reviewed

Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel 2019 F1 driver ratings: Every grand prix reviewed

How Seb fared in our ratings.

Matthew Scott

Friday 20 December 2019 14:00

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Sebastian Vettel 2019 ratings Part 3

Singapore GP (Qual: 3rd – Race:1st) 7/10

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It wasn’t a particularly interesting race for Vettel – he started in third, ended the first lap in third, and looked to be to finish in third too. Unfortunately for fans, the brilliance of turning third into first wasn’t done on track – it was done on the pit wall. Ultimately though, this sets up the remainder of the season far better. Bad blood between the two Ferrari drivers, Vettel potentially back in a good frame of mind following his first win in over a year, and a third of the season yet to go – the fallout from Singapore is only just beginning.

Russian GP (Qual: 3rd – Race: DNF) 9/10

Well look who we have here. Just one week on from his somewhat surprising win, the Vettel of old is back and fighting for his place in Ferrari. In a move reminiscent of the infamous Multi 21 incident Vettel flew past his team mate and argued against letting him back. Reliability stopped the race between Vettel and Leclerc from developing, but he was practically flawless before he broke down.

Japanese GP (Qual: 1st - Race: 2nd) 8/10

A case of what might have been. Vettel was supreme in qualifying to secure his fifth pole around Suzuka and end Leclerc's run, but then mucked it up at the start, jumping the lights – though not enough to trigger a penalty – and then bogging down when he did finally launch. It allowed Bottas through and he proved impossible to catch, although Vettel did well to hold off Hamilton's charge on fresh tyres at the end of the race.

Mexican GP (Qual: 2nd - Race: 2nd) 7/10

Vettel's experience came to the fore when he talked Ferrari out of pitting him at the same time as Hamilton, likely knowing that he would end up on a two-stop which would have probably dropped him down to fifth or sixth. It was disappointing, however, that Vettel could to make significant inroads into Hamilton's lead late in the race.

United States GP (Qual: 2nd - Race: DNF) 5/10

Vettel's race was short, but not at all sweet as he dropped to seventh in a wretched start and then suffered a very sudden rear suspension failure after running over the kerbs at Turn 9 on just the eighth lap.

Brazilian GP (Qual: 2nd - Race: DNF) 4/10

Vettel had nudged ahead of Leclerc, before leaning across and pushing his team-mate towards the grass, prompting a slight touch which had huge consequences. A post-race stewards' investigation exonerated both drivers, perhaps fortunately for Vettel, who would have moved back to the brink of a race ban if punished, as many thought he might have been.

Abu Dhabi GP (Qual: 4th - Race: 5th) 7/10

Vettel said the qualifying shenanigans that left Leclerc unable to set a second time in Q3 were not his fault, but then immediately locking up at Turn 1 certainly suggested a lack of focus. Having had his efforts hampered by a sluggish pit-stop as he pitted immediately after Leclerc, Vettel got the better of Albon late in the race but will have plenty to ponder in the off-season, having finished behind a team-mate across an F1 season for just the second time.