Formula One 2017: how are the 10 F1 teams shaping up at the halfway point?

Sebastian Vettel has exceeded expectations in his Ferrari to lead the F1 drivers’ championship by 20 points heading into the British Grand Prix. Photograph: Srdjan Suki/EPA

1) Mercedes, 287pts

Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas

Struggled with balance, set up and putting the tyres into their temperature operating window early in the season after the FIA insisted their suspension system had to be changed but are now fully up to speed. Still quickest in qualifying and boast two drivers both scoring strongly. Remain the team to beat – but only just.

2) Ferrari, 254pts

Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen

On a par if not quicker than Mercedes in race pace, the Scuderia have a car that has proved easy to set up, well-balanced – especially through the corners – and have backed it with aggressive and largely successful strategy calls. Raikkonen has not scored well but Vettel is making the most of finally having a competitive ride.

3) Red Bull, 152 pts

Daniel Ricciardo drinking out of his boot has become part of F1 folklore and he and his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen, left, have enjoyed some notable results. Photograph: Diego Azubel/EPA

Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen

Opened the season off the pace due to a discrepancy between data from the wind tunnel and performance on the track but now have it licked. The car is improving but remains behind the two leaders. They are confident of stepping up as the season progresses and, though the championship is beyond them, race wins are on the cards.

4) Force India, 89pts

Sergio Pérez, Esteban Ocon

Finished fourth last season and are punching well above their weight again this year. Two fiercely competitive drivers have been scoring points hand over fist and managing them on track is proving to be a tricky task. The best of the midfield bunch, they are not challenging the big three but are the team the others must catch.

5) Williams, 40pts

Felipe Massa, Lance Stroll

Started the season with a car that was better than they expected but are still adjusting to losing Bottas to Mercedes. Stroll has taken time to adapt in his rookie season and is finding his feet, so points have been scarce. Will develop strongly as Paddy Lowe makes his presence felt and could yet catch Force India.

6) Toro Rosso, 33pts

Daniil Kvyat, Carlos Sainz Jr

Had what looked like a decent package at the start of the season but have failed to exploit it fully. Too many DNFs have cost the team but Carlos Sainz Jr has once again proved worthy of more in F1, qualifying well and having been daring and skilful while racing.

7) Haas, 29pts

Romain Grosjean, Kevin Magnussen

Still only the team’s second year in F1 and so taking 29 points to date can be deemed a success. Now the American team need to find consistency and reliability. The car is temperamental and tricky to balance and set up but Grosjean has done well when he finds the sweet spot.

8) Renault, 18pts

Nico Hülkenberg, Jolyon Palmer

Still a development year as the manufacturer returns to F1 with a car it has designed. The power unit also needs work and Palmer’s place is under threat – he is yet to score a point and has been out‑raced by his team-mate Hülkenberg. Have the resources to develop well but there is still a long way for them to go.

Jolyon Palmer finds time to smile in practice at Silverstone but the Renault driver is still waiting for his first F1 point. Photograph: Hone/LAT/Rex/Shutterstock

9) Sauber, 5pts

Marcus Ericsson, Pascal Wehrein

Running a year-old Ferrari engine meant this season would always be a struggle but they have been riven by internal politics that ended in the team principal, Monisha Kaltenborn, leaving and her replacement this week by the former Renault chief Frédéric Vasseur. Expected to be at the back of the field and should be overtaken by McLaren.

10) McLaren, 2pts

Fernando Alonso, Stoffel Vandoorne

A once mighty team rendered powerless by the woeful performance and reliability of their Honda engine. A divorce looks inevitable. Still clinging on to their greatest asset – the double world champion Alonso – who has proved the chassis is strong but the Spaniard will likely walk if he can find another drive for next season.

Drivers’ Standings

1 S Vettel Ferrari 171

2 L Hamilton Mercedes 151

3 V Bottas Mercedes 136

4 D Ricciardo Red Bull 107

5 K Raikkonen Ferrari 83

6 S Pérez Force India 50

7 M Verstappen Red Bull 45

8 E Ocon Force India 39

9 C Sainz Jr Toro Rosso 29

10 F Massa Williams 22

11 L Stroll Williams 18

12 N Hülkenberg Renault 18

13 R Grosjean Haas 18

14 K Magnussen Haas 11

15 P Wehrlein Sauber 5

16 D Kvyat Toro Rosso 4

17 F Alonso McLaren 2

Level drivers separated by best results. Palmer, Ericsson, Vandoorne, J Button (McLaren, 1 race) and A Giovinazzi (Sauber, 2 races) yet to score