Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg has heaped praise on McLaren's Carlos Sainz Jr., ranking the Spaniard ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for their overall performance this season.
With just one race left this season, Sainz finds himself just five points shy of a century in seventh place in the standings – the highest ranked non-Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari driver (Pierre Gasly sits sixth with the same number of points and drove for Red Bull in the opening 10 races).
Sainz took his maiden F1 podium at the weekend during a chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix after finishing third despite starting from 20th.
Rosberg ranked his top four, putting Hamilton just ahead of Verstappen, followed by the McLaren driver.
"Sainz is closing off an unbelievable season," said the German during a video debrief. "I’ve always said he’s in the top four best drivers this year together with Leclerc. So it’s Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen and Hamilton.
"At the moment I’d probably put Hamilton, Verstappen, maybe even on a par, especially after this race, actually no you’d put Hamilton slightly ahead. Then Sainz is now third just ahead of Leclerc.
"He’s done such an unbelievable season, so many points with that McLaren. It’s so great, Fantastic job.”
Rosberg also applauded Gasly who, after a tough season, also took his maiden podium finish: "Gasly, I think we’ll all agree, it’s been such an incredibly tough season for him. It’s horrible to be in the situation he’s been in to get kicked out of the team.
"But to see him coming back, getting this awesome result, his first podium in a Toro Rosso after such a fantastic race. Great job."
