AUTOSPORT’S TOP 10 DRIVERS
1 One of the best performances in GP2/F2 history. Had more car issues than some of his main rivals, and had to deal with Norris leading the points for half a season because of it, but took it all in his stride. A cut above in his rookie year.
2 Pips Norris on the basis of higher average qualifying and feature race positions, as well as a phenomenal career turnaround. Tenth in 2017 in F2, he had to beg for his seat at the start of ’18. Now he’s in F1 with Toro Rosso.
3 On the face of it, a brilliant year during which Mclaren chose him for an F1 seat. F2 didn’t quite go to plan, with a lack of wins and poles, although he still displayed consistency and maturity above his experience level.
4 Sette Camara shone in 2018 and, without the number of issues that afflicted him, he probably would have been higher than sixth in the standings. Like Albon, another who produced an excellent turnaround from ’17.
5 A flat campaign from the Dutchman, who was supposed to be the next big thing at Mclaren, before he was usurped by Norris. Second half of the season showed signs of picking up, but it was a scrappy campaign lacking consistency.
6 Was well and truly beaten up by Prema team-mate Charles Leclerc in 2017, but with a new team Fuoco fell into a leadership role, nicely steering the team to two wins. He lost many chances at scoring big points too, when not his fault.
7 Fifth in the standings, but is penalised here for the fact that it was his fifth season in F2, and he did worse than the previous year. Still a strong run, but his only feature-race win came in Monaco, when the leaders took each other out.
8 Lacked the support of an equal at Campos until the final couple of rounds, by which time it was too late. Car struggled for pace, so he often dragged it around by the scruff of its neck. Took a fastest lap and five podiums, including a win.
9 Was super-impressive as he drove for arguably two of the worst teams in the 2018 season in Campos and MP. After routinely driving from back to front with MP, he fell out with its engineers, before elevating the second Campos car into the top 10.
10 By the far the greenest rookie with one season racing in Europe under his belt. Close to Markelov in qualifying, and produced a brilliant standout win at Monza as he improved massively in the second half of the season.