Top Gear's 2019 Formula One half term report

What an F1 season it’s been so far. Bet you didn’t think we’d be saying that after four races in. In fact after the snooze-fest that was the French GP, many were writing Formula One off completely, not just the season itself.

However, though the French GP was dull, you mustn't forget that F1 always has a way of surprising us. And like many sports you have to stick with it; take the rough with the smooth. Indeed, is every football match amazing?

And, at least in regard to changing up the regulations, no matter how much you try, there's always going to be one team slightly ahead. Just look at the history: Williams, McLaren, Lotus, Ferrari and Tyrell have all dominated at some point. That’s what we love about F1 and its ability to change and develop. Teams will never give up - you only need to look at Williams. Even slow progress is still progress. Like life, Never. Give. Up.

Now the summer break is upon us, here's a teams and drivers' half term report...

Still with arguably the best car on the grid, but as the season develops it's clear the others are catching up quickly. They perhaps didn’t have the best car to start with, but their operational set up has been so impressive they’ve had the best start to any season so far. OK, Germany maybe wasn’t great, but we all have off days.

9/10

Every year he comes back and improves. He’s proving even more so why he has so many championships. At some point he will peak but for now, just enjoy watching arguably one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time. Don’t like that statement? He’s got the best car... but so did Schumacher. And so does Bottas.

9/10

Ah yes, Bottas. He’s come back stronger this year and has often impressed. He's often quick on Saturday, but still wants for race pace and craft. You have to feel for him, because he’s up against one of the fastest drivers on the grid; when Bottas steps up, Lewis just steps up that little bit further. He’s tougher but not tough enough - perhaps he needs to get into Hamilton's head and play some mind games, the way Rosberg did. Question marks remain over his seat for next year, and crashing out in Germany was a big error - it was within his grasp to close the gap to Lewis. If Hamilton wins before the season is out, don’t be surprised if Esteban Ocon gets a go.

7/10

What’s happened? After testing it was game on, and while Ferrari are genuinely quick, it hasn’t always materialised, at least not in this first half. They have the fastest engine apparently, and really should have won a race this year. Much to improve for the second half.

7/10

Disappointing start. We genuinely thought he'd be neck and neck with Hamilton at this point. He’s been unlucky (Canada) but also made too many mistakes, again. Has he peaked? Perhaps not. Maybe it's just that he needs a car suited for his style. He needs to lead from the front. Leclerc has given him a run for his money and I think it’s surprised him, yet it feels the momentum has turned the last few races.

6/10

Isn’t he impressive? He's got the style too, the git. There have been some seriously impressive races from a man so young. He’s also been so unlucky not to win - Bahrain was heart breaking. Yes, he’s made mistakes too, but you’d expect that at this stage. In some respects he's been more impressive than Vettel. He’s the future of F1 and Silverstone showed what we are in for. He’s faded a little in the last few races and needs to come back stronger after the break as Vettel is getting to grips with the car.

9/10

The only other team to have won this year - again, another statement that we probably wouldn't have written earlier. Red Bull have been impressive and developed, and took chances where they could. The Honda engine is almost up with the big boys (bet that feels good) and if they do overtake them we're in for a real cracker. Could they give Max a car to chase Hamilton by the end of the season? Hope so.

9/10

Not that long ago many were saying he was losing his head in the races. Fast forward a couple of years and he’s managed to learn from his mistakes and is now living up to the hype. His performances over the last few races have been championship-worthy; it's a real shame the car wasn’t there at the start. Amazing to think he’s only just got his first pole. Like Leclerc he’s the future and it’s look really rather awesome. Horner could be right - he may well be better than Hamilton...

9/10

Oh dear. He’s really been outperformed by Max this year and needs to step up his game. The speed is there - so they say - but so far it's difficult to see. He’s improved of late and perhaps needs more time. But F1 doesn’t wait. He needs to come back after the summer with a clear head and start matching Max, because if not, the bounce back kid Danny Kvyat is waiting...

3/10

Not where they expected to be and not where they should be. They’ve got the drivers and with all their resources should be further up the grid. Their performance this year is only proving Horner was right to part ways with their engine. But things can change quickly in F1 and as long as they play the long game they'll come good.

3/10

It hurts to see one of TG's favourite F1 drivers so often struggle throughout a race. As it must be for him. There’s been the odd impressive performance but it feels like he’s still getting to grips with the team and the car. But he’s smart, and playing the long game in the hope that Renault produces a championship winning car down the line. Must be tough to see Max win but like he’s said, that’s what they have always been doing. Wonder if he'd be better off in a Ferrari...

6/10

His performances against one of the fastest drivers in F1 have been impressive, yet we’ve always known he’s quick. There are question marks over his future as he’s out of contract soon, and his mistake in Germany while in a podium position slot won’t have helped. But Renault should keep him. Needs a decent second half if he wants to move on.

6/10

What a season so far. They feel like they are on the up, although we really shouldn’t be saying that for a team with such history. But none the less it’s good to see, and the vibe you get is everyone is very upbeat, especially after the last few years. Both drivers confirmed for next year. Can they improve and create a championship car with Renault? Red Bull couldn’t do it with Renault's hybrid engine, so how will McLaren? Must be tough to see Red Bull winning. Wonder if they let Honda go too soon...

8/10

We've always been big fans of Carlos - his performances against Max were on par, and he deserved a seat next to him at Red Bull. So far this half he’s been OK, but Norris has been better, even if Carlos has more points. That said Germany (that race was a pivotal point for the drivers for so many reasons) was impressive. Should be destroying his younger, far less experienced team mate in the second half.

6/10

Is this Britain’s next world champion? Judging by his performances this year he’s been so impressive for someone so inexperienced. He's been with the team before Sainz arrived, which helps, along with the fact he's a proper racing nut - indeed, he races online with Max on his days off. Over a weekend he seems to get faster and faster, and when it comes to qualifying, boom. Either that or he’s sandbagging in practice to fool his teammate. Needs to keep it up for the second half but having next season confirmed must help. Like Max and Charles, he’s the future.

8/10

After last year’s ownership nightmare it’s good to see them still here. But they haven’t been as impressive as last year... all that change and upheaval can’t have helped. The second half will be interesting to see if they cut their losses and concentrate on next year. Unlucky to not get a podium in Germany as their strategy was superb. Ocon might have dodged a bullet.

5/10

Bit of a quiet first half and not much to talk about. Mistakes in Germany didn’t help and it just feels like he’s not been the driver we know he is. Much to improve in the second half.

4/10

Quick, but not super quick. Was impressive to hold off Bottas in Germany, but without his team's strategy his first half wouldn’t have been as good. Interesting to see how the second half develops.

5/10

As ever this team always impresses. Every year they produce a solid car on smaller resources than the big teams. And they got a podium, the only other team outside the top three to have done so. If their drivers improve further for the second half it will be interesting to see if they can keep their 5th place in the constructors at the end. Canny move to get the Honda engine in early.

8/10

The comeback kid. Impressive first half especially with his podium, and it's great to see him doing so well, especially after his Red Bull experience. Perhaps he wasn’t ready? And is Gasly slipping into the same mistakes? Might yet be a few seat swaps before the year is out...

7/10

Like Norris and Russell this rookie has impressed too. Arguably he’s had better consistent results than his team mate and was unlucky with the strategy in Germany to not be the one on the podium. Hopefully he doesn’t get rushed into another seat, though other teams will be interested in him.

7/10

Best looking car on the grid by far. And in the hands of Kimi it’s been solid, if not mind blowing. Really expected them to be better. Second half has to deliver.

7/10

At his age most drivers are either retiring or losing their edge... neither seem to be the case with Kimi, and this year he's impressed even more with his ability. A consistent performer - one who arguably should still be in a top team. Ask yourself, would he be driving that Red Bull better than Gasly? Right now, probably yes. Would be great to see him get a podium in the second half on top of his eight points finishes this first half.

7/10

Tough to have Kimi as your first team mate, but also a good bench mark. Needs to up his game in the second half as he’s only been in the points once so far, compared to Kimi’s eight.

5/10

It says something when the most that Haas has been talked about in the first half has been to do with their sponsor Rich Energy. Still, going to make for some great viewing from team boss Guenther Steiner when the second season of Netflix's F1 show comes out. The car is mid-field at best, and it feels as though Haas aren't as strong as last year. Currently in 9th, where last year they finished 5th. So either they’ve stayed static and the others have improved, or they just can’t seem to get on top of why sometimes it’s fast and sometimes not. Grosjean even resorted back to the set up he raced in Australia to get some answers. Much to improve in the second half.

3/10

Not been his best start and after being consistent at the end of last year he appears to have lost it again. Crashing in the pit lane at Silverstone wasn’t his smoothest move. Needs the second half to be very strong if he’s to retain a place in the team for next year. Or has Guenther run out of patience already?

3/10

He’s a fighter, is Kev. Last year he proved his worth by outshining Romain. Not as strong this year, but we admire his elbows-out kind of racing. Deserves to be in a top team.

5/10

Oh dear. The car is - currently - quite terrible and consistently at the bottom of grid, but Williams are fighters, and they will come back. The team's got heart, and we want them to succeed. There have been recent signs of progress, but they have the hardest job of all to out develop twice as fast as the rest. Patrick Head has been brought back to help after Paddy Lowe left. They need a new, young fresh designer for the car (maybe they’ve got it), someone like the next Adrian Newey. Fingers crossed for a solid second half, and wonderful they have a point already.

3/10

Heart-breaking isn’t it? Seeing a fairytale comeback, only for him to be in the worst car on the grid. Yet he’s a fighter and never gives up. Sadly he’s been outperformed by his younger rookie team mate and needs to close the gap to him. Hopefully his second half is better, to build on his solitary point thus far.

6/10

A part of the Mercedes stable and driver that is spoken very highly of, his performances in the Williams has probably been the most impressive of the rookies. Sadly it’s not in the limelight. Gutting for him, but at least there's no pressure. Just needs to carry on doing the same for the second half, and perhaps sneak in a points finish.

9/10

Roll on the second half. If it’s as exciting as the last four races we are on for a cracking season, perhaps even one of the best. Can Bottas or Max catch Lewis? Here’s hoping.