F1 Best average positions gained — 2026

Average positions gained per race, from grid slot to finish.

Updated after the Belgian Grand Prix

  1. 1. Sergio Pérez (Cadillac F1 Team) — +3.67
  2. 2. Liam Lawson (RB F1 Team) — +3.40
  3. 3. Esteban Ocon (Haas F1 Team) — +3.25
  4. 4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) — +2.86
  5. 5. Carlos Sainz (Williams) — +2.67
  6. 6. Alexander Albon (Williams) — +2.67
  7. 7. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) — +2.50
  8. 8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine F1 Team) — +2.20
  9. 9. Franco Colapinto (Alpine F1 Team) — +2.20
  10. 10. Oliver Bearman (Haas F1 Team) — +2.00
  11. 11. Lando Norris (McLaren) — +1.57
  12. 12. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) — +1.43
  13. 13. Arvid Lindblad (RB F1 Team) — +1.00
  14. 14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) — +1.00
  15. 15. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) — +0.70
  16. 16. Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) — +0.33
  17. 17. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) — −0.25
  18. 18. George Russell (Mercedes) — −0.75
  19. 19. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) — −1.33

Through 10 rounds of 2026, Sergio Pérez (Cadillac F1 Team) leads this table at +3.67, built from 3 counted races.

Behind him, Liam Lawson holds second on +3.40, while Esteban Ocon rounds out the top three at +3.25.

As with every Measure ranking, the numbers are computed directly from official race data and refreshed after each round. The big mover this round is Isack Hadjar, up 5 places to P7. Arvid Lindblad heads the other way, down 6 places to P13.

After the Belgian Grand Prix (round 10 of 2026), Sergio Pérez of Cadillac F1 Team leads Measure’s Best average positions gained ranking on +3.67 (from 3 races counted), ahead of Liam Lawson on +3.40 and Esteban Ocon on +3.25. Isack Hadjar is one of the biggest movers, climbing 5 places to P7 with +2.50, while Pérez himself also rises 2 spots into the lead at P1. The sharpest drops come from Arvid Lindblad (down 6 to P13 on +1.00), Gabriel Bortoleto (down 5 to P14 on +1.00), and Oscar Piastri (down 4 to P12 on +1.43).

Methodology

The same per-race gain used in "Most positions gained" (grid position minus final classification, classified races with a proper grid slot only), averaged over the races counted. Unlike "Biggest improvement vs qualifying", this uses the official starting grid, so grid penalties affect it. A minimum of 3 counted races is required; drivers below the threshold are excluded, never estimated. Ties are broken by total season points, then alphabetically.