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Formula 1's top three drivers of the season so far

Sean Parker chooses his three best drivers of the Formula 1 season so far.

Five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton leads the Formula 1 drivers' championship and Mercedes lead the constructors' championship at the mid-way point in the season.

Hamilton has won six of the opening eight races and Mercedes hold a 150 point lead over closest rivals Ferrari. The Briton has dominated proceedings with team mate Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull's Max Verstappen sharing two victories a piece.

Ferrari's impressive pre-season testing form in Bahrain has failed to materialise into a win for Scuderia Ferrari. The Maranello-based team have collected three pole positions (Bahrain, Canada and Austria) but not been able to translate them into wins.

Lewis Hamilton - The reigning champion has been untouchable bar one or two races. The Briton's become adept at forcing his rivals into making errors and capitalising on them with superior race or taking care of his tyres, depending on what's required. 

His level of excellence is unmatched and you can believe that he'll continue on the next few years to claim eight world titles and eclipse Michael Schumcher's record. 

Max Verstappen - The Dutchman has been brilliant, winning two of the last four races before the summer break. The Red Bull driver has performed in different conditions, and has made very few errors. 

His victory at Hockenheim was utter class as his rivals slid off the wet track while Verstappen kept it together and bagged his seventh-career win. He's able to extract so much power out of the car and seems to have lost his temper, proving to be more mature in decisions both on and off the track. 

Surely a world title isn't too far away? 

Charles Leclerc - The young Monagasque driver was unlucky not to land his first victory in only his second season in Formula 1, and second race for Ferrari. He claimed pole position and fastest lap, but was bogged down by mechanical problems. 

Put that aside for a moment and the 21-year-old has been regularly quicker than team mate and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel. Impressive. 

Special mentions:

Carlos Sainz - The Spaniard and team mate Lando Norris have racked up 82 points in 12 races as McLaren occupy fourth spot in the constructors' standings. It's the team's best points tally since 2014 and it's no surprise the duo have been retained for next season. 

But its Sainz's performances that have shone, and the 24-year-old has found his feet in the Renault-powered car after seasons at Toro Rosso and Renault. His consistent good performances this season have garnered 58 points and sees him in seventh position. Keep an eye on the Spaniard, there could be more to come from the son of the rally legend. 

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