I am f2p and always ranking 3rd-5th.... there are only 4 p2w ranking higher than me, it all depends on team composition :p Power is also important, but I kinda manage to stay in my 5th spot while being lower in power rankings

I don't think that is the case. They have higher limit of chakra, so they can just keep it for a whole day without their bar overloading, but as far as I know, chakra recovery time is not affected by medals. I log in in the morning, after first 100 stamina recovery to use it up, and later, after school/work, to get all the events alongside 2nd 100 stamina done and used.

P2W have more stamina if they buy it, although not many really do that from what I see.