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#3 Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz parted ways with McLaren to partner Charles Leclerc at Ferrari for the 2021 F1 season. Most expected the Spaniard to play more of a supporting role in the team, given that Leclerc is visibly poised to become Ferrari's next world champion.
However, Sainz has delivered the best season of his career so far with four podiums and a sensational streak of 14 consecutive points finishes. Despite some disappointments, such as in Monaco, the 27-year-old finished the season in fifth place.
He finished behind two Mercedes and Red Bull drivers but ahead of his team-mate and both McLarens. Sainz took the year to prove the potential he has and is expected to come back even stronger in a more competitive Ferrari in the upcoming season.
#4 George Russell
Despite racing with one of the least competitive cars on the grid, George Russell had a solid final year with Williams. He has moved to Mercedes for the 2022 season.
He is labeled "Mr Saturday" for his exceptional qualifying performances. Russell took his Williams to the podium after delivering one of the strongest laps on Saturday in the Belgian Grand Prix.
The Briton outqualified team-mate Nicolas Latifi in 20 out of 22 weekends and helped his team finish in eighth, their best finish since 2017. With arguably the strongest car on the grid now, Russell is expected not just to fight for wins but even be a real contender for the championship title in the years to come.
#5 Pierre Gasly
Pierre Gasly led his team in 2021 with a glorious podium very early on in the season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and nine top-6 finishes. The Frenchman's consistency played a major role in Alpha Tauri's fight against Alpine for fifth in the constructors' standings.
He outqualified rookie team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in every race of the season except the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He finished the season a mere five points behind Daniel Ricciardo in the drivers' standings despite having an unquestionably slower car than McLaren. Gasly's ultimate goal will be to win with a competitive car and take back his seat at Red Bull once again.
