Figures teams GP Italy | Red Bull best again, kudos to Ferrari

Red Bull Racing - 9

During qualifying, Red Bull fell just short of taking pole, and the point for the fastest lap also went by the team of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Yet there is by no means any reason to complain: Verstappen won his tenth Grand Prix in a row and on top of that, a nice one-two could be celebrated. Once again, Red Bull provided proof that there are no tricky circuits for the RB19. Where does this all end? Chapeau!

Ferrari - 8.5

In a season with more lows than highs, the Grand Prix on home soil brought smiles back to the faces of the Tifosi and the team. Carlos Sainz in particular could not have delivered a better performance, his third place was more than deserved. That Ferrari nevertheless gets 'only' an 8.5 is because the difference with Red Bull is still too great. As soon as Verstappen got into free air, the Italian squad could not keep up. Still, the progression made was visible. Although this season has also already shown that it could just be muddling along again next race. Oh yes, compliments to the team management for allowing Sainz and Charles Leclerc to really fight with each other. Lovely!

Mercedes - 7.5

It has been said many times this season: Mercedes knows how to maximise every Grand Prix. Sometimes the best possible result is position two (e.g. in Spain), other times it is spot five (as in Italy). Actually, last weekend Mercedes had no real competitor. Red Bull Racing and Ferrari could not keep up, the other teams could not make things difficult for Mercedes for a moment. So then places five and six are the maximum, exactly as George Russell and Lewis Hamilton did. Should they do better? Sure. But if Mercedes continues on this path, the reward will eventually follow; namely spot two in the constructors' championship. The maximum achievable, yes.

Aston Martin - 6

Fine at Zandvoort, once again poor at Monza. A sufficient one, because Fernando Alonso managed to pick up some points. Nevertheless, Aston Martin had to stand idly by as Ferrari too has now passed the team in the constructors' standings. After all, Aston Martin is a one-driver team. Lance Stroll - partly through no fault of his own, admittedly - once again failed in an old-fashioned way. Without a decent second driver, Aston Martin will never achieve its lofty ambitions.

McLaren - 6

It's something with McLaren. Zandvoort was already not top, Monza hardly any better. Sure, Lando Norris ended up eighth. But surely this is the same team that was in absolute top form before the summer break, even the main 'challenger' to Red Bull? Oscar Piastri was obviously unlucky though, having been pushed off the track by Lewis Hamilton. Nevertheless, let's be honest: the podium was never real for the McLarens at Monza. No doubt that is a difficult conclusion to come to for the Woking-based team.

Williams - 7

Is it the car or the driver? In the case of Williams and Alexander Albon, it probably concerns a good mix. Led by team boss James Vowles, Williams has been working steadily - with limited resources - to improve the car, which for years was known as a weak brother on the grid. The current Williams certainly isn't that anymore, although due credit can also be given to Albon. On almost worn-out tyres, he managed to hold his own against the pressing competitors, driving himself handsomely to place seven. Williams is starting to become a stable middle-dweller and for the nostalgia fans, that is nice to see.

Alfa Romeo - 6.5

Finally Alfa Romeo managed to pick up a point again, although it took blood, sweat and tears. Those who remember all the problems in the first free practice could never have imagined that Monza became the place where the Swiss managed to halt their period of drought. A clever turnaround, then, from Friday to Saturday, resulting in that oh-so-important one point.

Haas - 3

Nico Hulkenberg in place 17 and Kevin Magnussen in place 18, the last finished drivers of the day. The only ones a lap behind winner Max Verstappen. With these facts, no further explanation is necessary.

Alpine - 4

Pierre Gasly 's third place at Zandvoort could have been the turning point. It didn't. Indeed, Alpine was dramatic in Italy. In case anyone is in doubt: Alpine's powerplant is really the weakest on the F1 grid. During qualifying, both Gasly and Esteban Ocon failed to make it through Q1, and in the race they could not make it either. Ocon even had to retire early on with a defect. So quickly forget this performance.

AlphaTauri - 5

If an F1 team fails to drive the car to the grid at all, you can never get a passing grade in our rankings. That a five still rolled out is entirely thanks to Liam Lawson. In his second Grand Prix, the New Zealander once again managed to show he had potential. Bummer for him that his performance narrowly missed out on a point - he finished 11th. He would have liked it.