Davide Valsecchi names which two Formula 1 drivers are consistently ‘underrated’ by the media

There are plenty of reasons why trying to accurately compare one Formula 1 driver against another isn’t easy.

For example, Oscar Piastri’s winning performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix was fantastic to watch, but trying to compare him to Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto when he can’t take his own car seriously makes things tricky.

While very few people are going to attempt to argue that Bortoleto is a faster driver than Piastri right now, figuring out the gap between their current ability levels is easier said than done.

However, the best way to assess a driver is typically by comparing them to their teammate, as at least they’re in the same car.

Davide Valsecchi was closely watching events in Bahrain and picked out two drivers whom he believes are criminally underrated.

Unsurprisingly, they’re now clear leaders within their teams, although they’re fighting very different battles in 2025.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height

George Russell and Pierre Gasly playing vital roles for Mercedes and Alpine in 2025

Mercedes driver George Russell has been on fire at the start of the 2025 F1 season.

Martin Brundle called Russell’s performance in Bahrain one of his finest displays, although he’s still waiting for his first win of the season.

After failing to score points in the first race weekends of the season, Alpine are finally off the mark thanks to Pierre Gasly.

His teammate Jack Doohan was also having a decent race until his tyre deficit to his rivals saw him fall out of the top 10.

However, Gasly nearly held Max Verstappen off to finish sixth before the Red Bull driver demoted him on the final lap.

READ MORE: Alpine driver Pierre Gasly’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Davide Valsecchi says George Russell and Pierre Gasly are ‘underrated’ by the media

Talking on the F1 Nation Podcast, Valsecchi was analysing the race in Bahrain and said: “One driver who is probably underrated in this field was for sure Russell last year.

“No one was appreciating him in England, as he was beside Lewis Hamilton, the legend, and was beating him.

“He was underrated from my point of view, most of it from the English media. That was my feeling.

“I know that when you have a legend, it’s not so easy to find appreciation that looks a bit more normal, but amazing driver and this year he’s showing it.

“[The] second one, probably is Gasly. Gasly was the teammate of Verstappen in the early stages of his career, and he missed that chance.

“But then he improved so much from that point. And remember how he ended up last year.

“Not one crash during the season, always in the points at the last few races. Come on, that is a masterclass.

“If anyone else was doing something like this, it was a legend. No one was speaking about him, only because he’s not in a top team.

“It was something huge. And Gasly, he banked a great result, and I’m very happy for him, he’s probably a top-five driver.”

George Russell fighting for his Mercedes future amid Max Verstappen talk

While Gasly’s position at Alpine is safe for now, with Doohan under much more pressure from Franco Colapinto, Russell is in a more precarious position.

Russell’s contract expires at the end of the season, and while Toto Wolff has been incredibly positive about his lead driver, the clock is ticking down on securing his future.

What’s complicating matters for Mercedes is the potential availability of Verstappen.

A move to Mercedes for Verstappen can’t be ruled out at this stage, which means Wolff would have to choose between letting Russell or rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli go.

Russell is the obvious option to keep if Mercedes want to deliver immediate success, although his previous issues with Verstappen may be a concern to the team.

However, if Wolff is looking towards the future, pairing Verstappen with Antonelli might be too difficult to resist.