f1-elo
F1 Elo Rating
A simplistic driver strength calculation for every F1 driver (current and historical) using the chess Elo algorithm.
Overview
This project calculates Elo ratings for Formula 1 drivers by comparing their performance against their teammates in both qualifying and race sessions. Each driver receives three separate Elo scores:
- Qualifying Elo: Based on qualifying position comparisons with teammates
- Race Elo: Based on race finishing position comparisons with teammates
- Global Elo: Combined rating using 30% qualifying performance + 70% race performance
Project info & methodology
Detailed Season Reports
Race-by-race Elo changes and detailed analysis for each season:
| Decades | Season Reports | Official F1 Results |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 | F1.com 2020s |
| 2010s | 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010 | F1.com 2010s |
| 2000s | 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002 • 2001 • 2000 | F1.com 2000s |
| 1990s | 1999 • 1998 • 1997 • 1996 • 1995 • 1994 • 1993 • 1992 • 1991 • 1990 | F1.com 1990s |
| 1980s | 1989 • 1988 • 1987 • 1986 • 1985 • 1984 • 1983 • 1982 • 1981 • 1980 | F1.com 1980s |
| 1970s | 1979 • 1978 • 1977 • 1976 • 1975 • 1974 • 1973 • 1972 • 1971 • 1970 | F1.com 1970s |
| 1960s | 1969 • 1968 • 1967 • 1966 • 1965 • 1964 • 1963 • 1962 • 1961 • 1960 | F1.com 1960s |
| 1950s | 1959 • 1958 • 1957 • 1956 • 1955 • 1954 • 1953 • 1952 • 1951 • 1950 | F1.com 1950s |
Each season report contains the final ELO table plus detailed race-by-race analysis showing how each driver’s ELO changed after every qualifying session and race.
Current Elo Ratings (during the 2025 season)
Last updated: 2025-08-01
-
This table shows the current Elo ratings of drivers currently on the grid for the 2025 season. Some drivers may have peaked earlier in their careers, so this is not a comprehensive list of the best drivers of all time.
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For the all-time best drivers, see: Best Qualifying Elo • Best Race Elo • Best Global Elo
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The Global Elo combines qualifying (30%) and race (70%) Elo changes using a weighted calculation to provide a comprehensive driver rating.
| Rank | Driver | Constructor | Qualifying Elo | Race Elo | Global Elo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Max Verstappen |
Red Bull | 1963 ▲ +2 | 2045 ▲ +84 | 2021 ▲ +60 |
| 2 |  George Russell |
Mercedes | 1953 ▲ +103 | 1872 ▲ +22 | 1893 ▲ +43 |
| 3 |  Alexander Albon |
Williams | 1783 ▼ -11 | 1843 ▲ +49 | 1828 ▲ +34 |
| 4 |  Charles Leclerc |
Ferrari | 1738 ▲ +93 | 1773 ▲ +128 | 1762 ▲ +117 |
| 5 |  Fernando Alonso |
Aston Martin | 1767 ▼ -3 | 1711 ▼ -59 | 1727 ▼ -43 |
| 6 |  Pierre Gasly |
Alpine F1 Team | 1709 ▲ +84 | 1677 ▲ +52 | 1687 ▲ +62 |
| 7 | Lando Norris |
McLaren | 1703 ▼ -38 | 1620 ▼ -121 | 1645 ▼ -96 |
| 8 |  Oscar Piastri |
McLaren | 1675 ▲ +151 | 1597 ▲ +73 | 1621 ▲ +97 |
| 9 | Lewis Hamilton |
Ferrari | 1657 ▼ -76 | 1594 ▼ -139 | 1616 ▼ -117 |
| 10 | Carlos Sainz |
Williams | 1667 ▲ +51 | 1543 ▼ -73 | 1582 ▼ -34 |
| 11 | Esteban Ocon |
Haas F1 Team | 1588 ▲ +36 | 1555 ▲ +3 | 1563 ▲ +11 |
| 12 |  Gabriel Bortoleto |
Sauber | 1599 ▲ +99 | 1527 ▲ +27 | 1550 ▲ +50 |
| 13 | Isack Hadjar |
RB F1 Team | 1570 ▲ +70 | 1536 ▲ +36 | 1545 ▲ +45 |
| 14 |  Yuki Tsunoda |
RB F1 Team | 1555 ▼ -79 | 1530 ▼ -104 | 1539 ▼ -95 |
| 15 | Oliver Bearman |
Haas F1 Team | 1521 ▼ -16 | 1528 ▼ -9 | 1526 ▼ -11 |
| 16 |  Nico Hülkenberg |
Sauber | 1475 ▼ -75 | 1513 ▼ -37 | 1500 ▼ -50 |
| 17 |  Lance Stroll |
Aston Martin | 1398 ▼ -49 | 1530 ▲ +83 | 1490 ▲ +43 |
| 18 |  Franco Colapinto |
Alpine F1 Team | 1427 ▼ -87 | 1502 ▼ -12 | 1480 ▼ -34 |
| 19 |  Andrea Kimi Antonelli |
Mercedes | 1501 ▲ +1 | 1438 ▼ -62 | 1457 ▼ -43 |
| 20 | Jack Doohan |
Alpine F1 Team | 1477 ↔ 0 | 1436 ▼ -41 | 1449 ▼ -28 |
| 21 |  Liam Lawson |
Red Bull | 1328 ▼ -93 | 1446 ▲ +25 | 1412 ▼ -9 |
Top 30 F1 Drivers of All Time - Race Performance
Based on peak Race Elo ratings (race finishing positions vs teammates) • See complete list here
Seasons represented: 1958 (F1.com) • 1965 (F1.com) • 1968 (F1.com) • 1976 (F1.com) • 1987 (F1.com) • 1990 (F1.com) • 1991 (F1.com) • 1992 (F1.com) • 1994 (F1.com) • 1997 (F1.com) • 1998 (F1.com) • 1999 (F1.com) • 2001 (F1.com) • 2005 (F1.com) • 2010 (F1.com) • 2013 (F1.com) • 2014 (F1.com) • 2015 (F1.com) • 2016 (F1.com) • 2022 (F1.com) • 2023 (F1.com) • 2024 (F1.com) • 2025 (F1.com)
Kimi Räikkönen
Ronnie Peterson
Thierry BoutsenTop 30 F1 Drivers of All Time - Qualifying Performance
Based on peak Qualifying Elo ratings (qualifying positions vs teammates) • See complete list here
Seasons represented: 1965 (F1.com) • 1967 (F1.com) • 1968 (F1.com) • 1970 (F1.com) • 1973 (F1.com) • 1974 (F1.com) • 1978 (F1.com) • 1982 (F1.com) • 1983 (F1.com) • 1985 (F1.com) • 1989 (F1.com) • 1990 (F1.com) • 1991 (F1.com) • 1993 (F1.com) • 1996 (F1.com) • 1998 (F1.com) • 2001 (F1.com) • 2005 (F1.com) • 2007 (F1.com) • 2008 (F1.com) • 2009 (F1.com) • 2011 (F1.com) • 2014 (F1.com) • 2021 (F1.com) • 2025 (F1.com)
Jochen Rindt
Dan GurneyTop 30 F1 Drivers of All Time - Global Performance
Based on peak Global Elo ratings (30% qualifying + 70% race performance vs teammates) • See complete list here
Seasons represented: 1958 (F1.com) • 1965 (F1.com) • 1968 (F1.com) • 1970 (F1.com) • 1972 (F1.com) • 1975 (F1.com) • 1984 (F1.com) • 1986 (F1.com) • 1987 (F1.com) • 1991 (F1.com) • 1992 (F1.com) • 1994 (F1.com) • 1996 (F1.com) • 1998 (F1.com) • 2000 (F1.com) • 2001 (F1.com) • 2002 (F1.com) • 2008 (F1.com) • 2010 (F1.com) • 2012 (F1.com) • 2013 (F1.com) • 2014 (F1.com) • 2016 (F1.com) • 2018 (F1.com) • 2025 (F1.com)
Based on peak Elo ratings achieved during their F1 careers. Last updated: 2025-08-01
Methodology
The Elo calculation follows the classic chess Elo formula, comparing each driver directly with their teammate(s) for each race weekend. Key rules:
- Data Source: Historical race results from
data/YYYY-race-results.jsonfiles (fetched from Ergast API) - Teammate Comparison: Only head-to-head comparisons between teammates are considered
- Exclusions: Races where no teammate participated or either driver had a DNF are excluded from calculations. The DNFs are defined by races where one of the drivers cannot finish the race for mechanical reasons. The valid status are the following:
- Finished
- +1 Lap
- +2 Laps
- +3 Laps
- +4 Laps
- +5 Laps
- +6 Laps
- Lapped
- Accident
- Collision
- Spun off
- Not classified
- Chronological Processing: Race history is processed in chronological order to maintain accurate ELO progression
Elo Formula
The standard chess Elo rating system is used with the following parameters:
- Starting Elo:
1500points (or carried over from previous season) - K-factor:
64(determines rating change magnitude) - Expected Score:
E=1/ (1+10^((opponent_elo-player_elo) /400)) - New Rating:
new_elo=old_elo+K× (actual_score-expected_score)
How It Works
Each race weekend, teammates are compared head-to-head in three categories:
1. Qualifying Elo
Compares grid positions between teammates.
Example: Charles Leclerc (1600 Elo) vs Lewis Hamilton (1500 Elo) - Ferrari teammates
- Leclerc qualifies
P3, Hamilton qualifiesP5 - Expected score for Leclerc:
1/(1+10^((1500-1600)/400))=0.64 - Leclerc wins (better grid position): Actual score =
1 - Leclerc’s new Elo:
1600 + 64 × (1 - 0.64)=1623 - Hamilton’s new Elo:
1500 + 64 × (0 - 0.36)=1477
2. Race Elo
Compares finishing positions between teammates.
Example: George Russell (1550 Elo) vs Andrea Kimi Antonelli (1450 Elo) - Mercedes teammates
- Russell finishes
P2, Antonelli finishesP4 - Expected score for Russell:
1/(1+10^((1450-1550)/400))= 0.64 - Russell wins (better finish): Actual score =
1 - Russell’s new Elo:
1550 + 64 × (1 - 0.64)= 1573 - Antonelli’s new Elo:
1450 + 64 × (0 - 0.36)= 1427
3. Global Elo
Combines 30% of qualifying and 70% of race Elo changes with weighted calculation.
Example: Max Verstappen (1700 Elo) vs Yuki Tsunoda (1600 Elo) - Red Bull teammates
- Qualifying: Verstappen
P1, TsunodaP3(Verstappen wins)- Expected score for Verstappen:
1/(1+10^((1600-1700)/400))= 0.64 - Qualifying Elo change for Verstappen:
64 × (1 - 0.64)= +23 - Qualifying Elo change for Tsunoda:
64 × (0 - 0.36)= -23
- Expected score for Verstappen:
- Race: Verstappen
P2, TsunodaP1(Tsunoda wins)- Expected score for Verstappen:
1/(1+10^((1600-1700)/400))= 0.64 - Race Elo change for Verstappen:
64 × (0 - 0.64)= -41 - Race Elo change for Tsunoda:
64 × (1 - 0.36)= +41
- Expected score for Verstappen:
- Global Elo Change (
30%qualifying +70%race):- Verstappen:
(23 × 0.3) + (-41 × 0.7) = 6.9 - 28.7= -22 - Tsunoda:
(-23 × 0.3) + (41 × 0.7) = -6.9 + 28.7= +22
- Verstappen:
- Final Global Elo:
- Verstappen:
1700 + (-22)=1678 - Tsunoda:
1600 + 22=1622
- Verstappen:
About This Project
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