Verstappen takes hit in latest F1 22 driver ratings

EA SPORTS has again updated its driver rankings in F1 22 and both Lewis Hamilton and 2022 champion Max Verstappen’s stats have taken a hit.

Based on their performances in the Singapore and Japanese Grand Prix, the fierce rivals took a hit to their Racecraft stat, with Hamilton losing two points and Verstappen one to take their overall Rating numbers down to 93 and 95 respectively.

F1 22’s driver ratings are determined in part by F1 commentators David Croft and Alex Jacques, plus Mercedes AMG Petronas simulator driver and Sky Sports analyst Anthony Davidson. Drivers’ most recent performances are heavily weighted towards deciding the overall figures.

Verstappen and Hamilton’s ratings dive should come as no surprise given the scrappy nature of their performances at the Singapore Grand Prix, where both drivers made significant mistakes on their way to seventh and ninth-place finishes.

Verstappen bounced back to win in a rain-shortened Japanese Grand Prix from Suzuka where Hamilton could only place fifth, accounting for his two-point Racecraft penalty.

The most significant stat buff in F1 22 sees Williams driver Nicolas Latifi add two points to his overall Rating after scoring his first points of the season at the Japanese Grand Prix. The outgoing Canadian jumps up to 69 overall but is still eight points off his nearest rival Yuki Tsunoda.

Interestingly, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc received a five-point penalty to his Awareness stat but his overall Rating of 92 remains unchanged.

With one more round of driver rating adjustments to come, we can confidently predict that Sebastian Vettel will receive a higher rating. The retiring German has enjoyed eighth, sixth and seventh-place finishes in his last three Grand Prix in a decidedly average Aston Martin, impressing with his doggedly consistent displays.

Who do you think deserves a stats adjustment in F1 22? Let us know in the comments below.