Max Verstappen has been awarded a 9.6 in the F1 Power Rankings for his performance at the recent Brazilian Grand Prix. This score reflects his drive from 21st on the grid to a second-place finish at Interlagos. The Power Rankings panel often applies stricter judgment to Verstappen due to his established performance level.
The Red Bull driver’s result in Brazil marked his third podium from a back-of-grid start at the circuit in as many years. He previously won from 17th in 2024 and secured a third-place finish after starting from the pit lane in 2025.
During the São Paulo Grand Prix, Verstappen rapidly advanced through the field, reaching 12th position by the end of the opening lap. He reported a loss of downforce and suspected aerodynamic damage to his RB22 after the initial pit stops, which led to extreme high-speed oversteer.
Despite these car issues, Verstappen adapted his driving and continued to gain positions. His teammate, Isack Hadjar, who finished third in the race, allowed Verstappen through to pursue race leader Lando Norris.
The F1 Power Rankings are determined by a five-judge panel that assesses each driver’s performance out of ten after every Grand Prix. This evaluation excludes the influence of machinery. The individual scores are then averaged to produce a race score, which contributes to an overall seasonal leaderboard.
Verstappen’s 9.6 in Brazil has further narrowed the gap to Kimi Antonelli in the overall Power Rankings standings. Antonelli currently leads with an average score of 8.7, while Verstappen holds second place with an average of 8.4, a difference of 0.3 points.
Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, secured the 2026 F1 World Drivers’ Championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix on November 1, becoming the youngest champion in the sport’s history at 20 years and 68 days old. He clinched the title with four races remaining in the season.
Antonelli’s championship season included his maiden Grand Prix victory in China and a win at the Italian Grand Prix from the back of the grid. Mercedes also secured the 2026 Constructors’ Championship at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Verstappen began the 2026 season with an underperforming Red Bull RB22, which initially left him out of championship contention. However, the car’s performance has improved in recent races, allowing him to demonstrate consistent form.
In the last ten races, Verstappen has accumulated the most points among all drivers. He currently sits second in the Drivers’ Championship with 279 points, 119 points behind Antonelli.
George Russell, Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate, has experienced a challenging 2026 season despite winning the Australian and Austrian Grands Prix and achieving a Grand Slam in Azerbaijan. He is currently third in the Drivers’ Championship with 262 points.
Liam Lawson is positioned third in the overall F1 Power Rankings. The Racing Bulls driver finished seventh in the Brazilian Grand Prix after qualifying third. He is currently ninth in the Drivers’ Championship with 89 points after 20 rounds.
Was it really a São Paulo Grand Prix if Max Verstappen did not storm from the back of the field to the podium? After his brilliant comebacks in 2024 and 2025, he again made a charge by climbing from P21 to P5 during his first stint on intermediate tyres. The soft tyres suited him less well, but he overtook his teammate to climb to second place and simultaneously strengthen his grip on second place in the drivers’ standings.
