Driver(s) of the year
Discussion
Hate to say it but Fingers has been head and shoulders above the rest. Post race analysis of the Abu Dhabi GP has shown he is a mixture of Prost & Senna:
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2013/11/analysis-how...
http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/22058/9009723/wh...
Regardless of the controversy the highlight was seeing him go wheel to wheel with Webber and beating him in Malaysia. I take my hat off to him as I have been critical of him being a racer.
Bottas and Bianchi deserve the same praise as Hulk, et al.
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2013/11/analysis-how...
http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/22058/9009723/wh...
Regardless of the controversy the highlight was seeing him go wheel to wheel with Webber and beating him in Malaysia. I take my hat off to him as I have been critical of him being a racer.
Bottas and Bianchi deserve the same praise as Hulk, et al.
Technically Vettel.
However for me it's Grosjean.
It was a tall task for him to even come back from the battering he was getting from his peers last season. He had become the model of a self-fulfilling prophecy, whatever anxiety or hesitation he had about causing another accident manifested in exactly that.
It would've been an achievement for him to simply bring that under control, and yet he's flourished as is now as strong a competitor in my eyes as the likes of Hamilton or Alonso.
However for me it's Grosjean.
It was a tall task for him to even come back from the battering he was getting from his peers last season. He had become the model of a self-fulfilling prophecy, whatever anxiety or hesitation he had about causing another accident manifested in exactly that.
It would've been an achievement for him to simply bring that under control, and yet he's flourished as is now as strong a competitor in my eyes as the likes of Hamilton or Alonso.
Vettel - 8/10 He hasn't really been challenged.
Webber 7/10 regardless of the team's favoritism, Mark's starts have let him down.
Alonso 9/10 he seems to have gone off the boil in the last few races
Massa 8/10 really picked up his game in the second half of the year.
Raikkonen 9/10 the team developed the car towards Romain and that hurt Kimi.in the second half. he was pretty much flawless in the first half.
Grosjean 9.5/10 after a steady start Romain has shown himself to be a top driver. best improvement of the year.
Hamilton 7/10 a cracked chassis masked his performance in Asia. too emotionally fragile still.
Rosberg 8/10 taken the fight to Lewis and has proven himself to be worthy of his seat.
Button 7/10 made the beat of a bad car, but has gone off the boil in recent races.
Perez 6/10 hasn't shown any of the promise that we glimpsed in the Sauber. disappointment of the year.
Hulkenberg 10/10 driver of the year. Consistently dragging the car to places it shouldn't be. i can't remember him having an off race.
Guttierez 7/10 not as bad as I was expecting.
Sutil 5/10 mediocre
Di Resta 6/10 not living up to his own expectations
Maldonado 6/10 talent hidden by a poor car, but still a prick.
Bottas 8.5/10 best improvement after Grosjean. one to watch in the future.
ricciardo 7/10 what happened to him after he signed the rb contract?
generic Vergne 6/10 what happened to the mega-talent shown in the lower formulae?
Pic 8/10 best "scorer" of the slower teams
van der garde 6/10 mediocre
Bianchi 9/10 give the boy a top drive and he would deliver.
Chilton 3/10 Norbert Fontana reborn.
Webber 7/10 regardless of the team's favoritism, Mark's starts have let him down.
Alonso 9/10 he seems to have gone off the boil in the last few races
Massa 8/10 really picked up his game in the second half of the year.
Raikkonen 9/10 the team developed the car towards Romain and that hurt Kimi.in the second half. he was pretty much flawless in the first half.
Grosjean 9.5/10 after a steady start Romain has shown himself to be a top driver. best improvement of the year.
Hamilton 7/10 a cracked chassis masked his performance in Asia. too emotionally fragile still.
Rosberg 8/10 taken the fight to Lewis and has proven himself to be worthy of his seat.
Button 7/10 made the beat of a bad car, but has gone off the boil in recent races.
Perez 6/10 hasn't shown any of the promise that we glimpsed in the Sauber. disappointment of the year.
Hulkenberg 10/10 driver of the year. Consistently dragging the car to places it shouldn't be. i can't remember him having an off race.
Guttierez 7/10 not as bad as I was expecting.
Sutil 5/10 mediocre
Di Resta 6/10 not living up to his own expectations
Maldonado 6/10 talent hidden by a poor car, but still a prick.
Bottas 8.5/10 best improvement after Grosjean. one to watch in the future.
ricciardo 7/10 what happened to him after he signed the rb contract?
generic Vergne 6/10 what happened to the mega-talent shown in the lower formulae?
Pic 8/10 best "scorer" of the slower teams
van der garde 6/10 mediocre
Bianchi 9/10 give the boy a top drive and he would deliver.
Chilton 3/10 Norbert Fontana reborn.
Vettel 9/10 - Yes he had the best car but he also used it nigh-on flawlessly.
Webber 6/10 - He's not had it easy in Team Vettel but in the latter races he just hasn't looked like he had any fight left. And Good God but he really can't seem to get the car off the line!
Alonso 8/10 - Started his normal impeccable self but seems to have faded of late. Losing heart maybe?
Massa 8/10 - Managed to remind everyone of why he is an F1 driver.
Raikkonen 9/10 - He's done a fantastic job in difficult circumstances IMO
Grosjean 9/10 - Really shut his critics up with some fast, mature performances. Massive turn around from last year
Hamilton 7/10 - Ignoring the races where he had the cracked chassis he has been solid, needs to get his head around how to drive the Merc on the brakes and then he'll be back to his best.
Rosberg 7/10 - He's gone up a bit in my estimation this year but I still maintain that his racecraft doesn't match up to the promise of his raw pace.
Button 8/10 - The car sucked, the car really sucked but JB has kept plugging away.
Perez 6/10 - I like Perez and as I said re: Button the car has been terrible but I didn't think he was the right man for the job when they hired him and I think it's the tough but right choice to let him go.
Hulkenberg 9/10 - He's settled any doubts I had as to whether he is the real deal. I'm now eager to see him in a front-running car.
Guttierez 7/10 - Seemed to struggle under the spotlight of all the hype but once that eased he's quietly improved.
Sutil 6/10 - It all started so well, slipped into obscurity a bit as the season progressed
Di Resta 4/10 - Average at best in the car and frankly a liability out of it. His over-inflated sense of worth and continual whining grates on me something awful.
Maldonado 4/10 - He's got some speed but he's such an incredible douchebag and dangerous with it. I for one hope his money dries up and that he goes away real soon.
Bottas 7/10 - See Guttierez really, would like to see how he can grow in the future.
Ricciardo 7/10 - Early season made him a no-brainer to replace Webber, since then? I bet they wish they had signed Hulkenberg!
Vergne 5/10 - Flashes of talent but needs to get some consistency.
Pic 8/10 - Solid, but a bit too anonymous to really get the bigger teams to sit up and take notice
Van der Garde 6/10 - unspectacular but not terrible either
Bianchi 8/10 - Really showing promise, and a surprising level of maturity and humility given the hype around him. PDR and PM should be taking notes.
Chilton 4/10 - Took a merciless kicking in the court of fan opinion before the season even started but I actually think he's shown some steady improvement. He's never going to set the world alight but I think he might just have earned another year.
Webber 6/10 - He's not had it easy in Team Vettel but in the latter races he just hasn't looked like he had any fight left. And Good God but he really can't seem to get the car off the line!
Alonso 8/10 - Started his normal impeccable self but seems to have faded of late. Losing heart maybe?
Massa 8/10 - Managed to remind everyone of why he is an F1 driver.
Raikkonen 9/10 - He's done a fantastic job in difficult circumstances IMO
Grosjean 9/10 - Really shut his critics up with some fast, mature performances. Massive turn around from last year
Hamilton 7/10 - Ignoring the races where he had the cracked chassis he has been solid, needs to get his head around how to drive the Merc on the brakes and then he'll be back to his best.
Rosberg 7/10 - He's gone up a bit in my estimation this year but I still maintain that his racecraft doesn't match up to the promise of his raw pace.
Button 8/10 - The car sucked, the car really sucked but JB has kept plugging away.
Perez 6/10 - I like Perez and as I said re: Button the car has been terrible but I didn't think he was the right man for the job when they hired him and I think it's the tough but right choice to let him go.
Hulkenberg 9/10 - He's settled any doubts I had as to whether he is the real deal. I'm now eager to see him in a front-running car.
Guttierez 7/10 - Seemed to struggle under the spotlight of all the hype but once that eased he's quietly improved.
Sutil 6/10 - It all started so well, slipped into obscurity a bit as the season progressed
Di Resta 4/10 - Average at best in the car and frankly a liability out of it. His over-inflated sense of worth and continual whining grates on me something awful.
Maldonado 4/10 - He's got some speed but he's such an incredible douchebag and dangerous with it. I for one hope his money dries up and that he goes away real soon.
Bottas 7/10 - See Guttierez really, would like to see how he can grow in the future.
Ricciardo 7/10 - Early season made him a no-brainer to replace Webber, since then? I bet they wish they had signed Hulkenberg!
Vergne 5/10 - Flashes of talent but needs to get some consistency.
Pic 8/10 - Solid, but a bit too anonymous to really get the bigger teams to sit up and take notice
Van der Garde 6/10 - unspectacular but not terrible either
Bianchi 8/10 - Really showing promise, and a surprising level of maturity and humility given the hype around him. PDR and PM should be taking notes.
Chilton 4/10 - Took a merciless kicking in the court of fan opinion before the season even started but I actually think he's shown some steady improvement. He's never going to set the world alight but I think he might just have earned another year.
Vettel - for taking himself to a whole new level this year. He's been in a class of 1 in the second half of the season.
Grosjean - for sheer improvement he deserves a mention this year. His pace has been there all along but with a bit of experience behind him now he's becoming a complete driver
Hulkenberg - someone give this man a top car an let us see what he can really do given the chance. Possibly the unluckiest man in F1 at the moment for that reason alone.
Grosjean - for sheer improvement he deserves a mention this year. His pace has been there all along but with a bit of experience behind him now he's becoming a complete driver
Hulkenberg - someone give this man a top car an let us see what he can really do given the chance. Possibly the unluckiest man in F1 at the moment for that reason alone.
Four championships in six seasons at the age of 26, yeh can only be one guy. He is now also 4th in the all time winners list too. I was one of a few who thought that Grosjean was given a rough ride last year, he always had pace, now he has the composure to use it. Like most of the comments, Hulkenburg has clearly out performed his machinary. Alonso too is always class, just wish he wasn`t such a sour looser. Question is how are the talented performers going to beat the fat wallets to the vacant seats for 2014.
simonpeter said:
Four championships in six seasons at the age of 26, yeh can only be one guy. He is now also 4th in the all time winners list too. I was one of a few who thought that Grosjean was given a rough ride last year, he always had pace, now he has the composure to use it. Like most of the comments, Hulkenburg has clearly out performed his machinary. Alonso too is always class, just wish he wasn`t such a sour looser. Question is how are the talented performers going to beat the fat wallets to the vacant seats for 2014.
Sadly, I think the answer to your question is that they aren't. Justaredbadge said:
Vettel - 8/10 He hasn't really been challenged.
Have we forgotten the first ten races of the season? 
He was regularly challenged by Mercedes, Ferrari, and Lotus.The last eight races have been good for him, but he was the most consistent driver when his car wasn't the best. Much like Alonso in 2012.
Vettel 9/10 - Virtually faultless but how would he cope with a genuinely competitive team mate (Horner won't let that happen, so maybe we'll never know)?
Webber 5/10 - Best car on the grid and he's fifth in the WDC, says it all I'm afraid.
Alonso 7/10 - By his (very high) standards not a great year, needs a competitive car for the whole season, not half of it, seemed demoralised in the second half of the season (with some justification).
Massa 5/10 - Perhaps someone should tell him the season starts in March.
Raikkonen 7/10 - Talented but I doubt his genuine commitment.
Grosjean 8/10 - Gets better by the race, showing real talent.
Hamilton 6/10 - Not sure Lewis would have won this year even in the best car(which he didn't have by a long way), always seems to be "something wrong", the most naturally talented driver out there in my book.
Rosberg 6/10 - Kept Lewis more than honest, on the verge of being considered with the Vet/Raik/Ham/Alonso top group
Button 4/10 - Can he lead a team, shown sod all evidence of it this year, crap car mind.
Perez 4/10 - Button was there for the taking, he didn't take it, could have made his reputation this year by blowing away a World Champion.
Hulkenberg 9/10 - Great season, if Horner was Ron Dennis he'd be in a Red Bull next year.
Guttierez 4/10 - Showing promise but still not really done enough, difficult against Hulkenberg though.
Sutil 3/10 - Done nothing as usual, the car's better than what he does with it
Di Resta 4.5/10 - Whinge, whinge, whinge but outperformed his team mate, shouldn't be the first one being shown the door.
Maldonado 1/10 - should be told to shove his money up his arse, incidentally Pastor, last week you were saying you'd scored 100% of your team's points, you've now scored 20% of them so STFU.
Bottas 6/10 - Fantastic weekend in America, quali and race, hope Frank gives him a car he can show his talent in next year
Ricciardo 4/10 - Sadly has got the drive Hulkenberg should have, mainly on his non existent threat to Vettel.
Vergne 5/10 - Better than his team mate IMO, faded after Ricciardo got the RB drive.
Pic 4/10 - Seems solid but difficult to judge in that car.
Van der Garde 5/10 - got a feeling he has got the talent in the right team
Bianchi 4/10 - Needs a "proper" drive to show what he's got, hope he get's it
Chilton 2/10 - Impeccable no claims bonus, not much else to say.
Webber 5/10 - Best car on the grid and he's fifth in the WDC, says it all I'm afraid.
Alonso 7/10 - By his (very high) standards not a great year, needs a competitive car for the whole season, not half of it, seemed demoralised in the second half of the season (with some justification).
Massa 5/10 - Perhaps someone should tell him the season starts in March.
Raikkonen 7/10 - Talented but I doubt his genuine commitment.
Grosjean 8/10 - Gets better by the race, showing real talent.
Hamilton 6/10 - Not sure Lewis would have won this year even in the best car(which he didn't have by a long way), always seems to be "something wrong", the most naturally talented driver out there in my book.
Rosberg 6/10 - Kept Lewis more than honest, on the verge of being considered with the Vet/Raik/Ham/Alonso top group
Button 4/10 - Can he lead a team, shown sod all evidence of it this year, crap car mind.
Perez 4/10 - Button was there for the taking, he didn't take it, could have made his reputation this year by blowing away a World Champion.
Hulkenberg 9/10 - Great season, if Horner was Ron Dennis he'd be in a Red Bull next year.
Guttierez 4/10 - Showing promise but still not really done enough, difficult against Hulkenberg though.
Sutil 3/10 - Done nothing as usual, the car's better than what he does with it
Di Resta 4.5/10 - Whinge, whinge, whinge but outperformed his team mate, shouldn't be the first one being shown the door.
Maldonado 1/10 - should be told to shove his money up his arse, incidentally Pastor, last week you were saying you'd scored 100% of your team's points, you've now scored 20% of them so STFU.
Bottas 6/10 - Fantastic weekend in America, quali and race, hope Frank gives him a car he can show his talent in next year
Ricciardo 4/10 - Sadly has got the drive Hulkenberg should have, mainly on his non existent threat to Vettel.
Vergne 5/10 - Better than his team mate IMO, faded after Ricciardo got the RB drive.
Pic 4/10 - Seems solid but difficult to judge in that car.
Van der Garde 5/10 - got a feeling he has got the talent in the right team
Bianchi 4/10 - Needs a "proper" drive to show what he's got, hope he get's it
Chilton 2/10 - Impeccable no claims bonus, not much else to say.
Edited by Norfolkit on Thursday 21st November 00:00
Vettel. 10. I'm struggling to think of any error or flaw this year
Webber. 6. The gap is such that there's nowhere to hide
Alonso. 9. He's always there.
Massa. 8. He's genuinely outpaced Alonso several times
Button. 6. Some classy races,but shouldve clearly buried Perez.
Perez. 6. Feisty.Great Monaco drive.Inconsistent.
Kimi. 7. Grosjean has had the edge too often
Grosjean. 9. The consistent Vettel challenger in second half
Rosberg. 8.5 Two great wins.raised bar very Hamilton
Hamilton. 8.5 The biggest talent, Imo, but is his head in right place?
Outside of the top ten, Ricciardo has impressed in qualifying, both Force India drivers are journeymen, Gutierrez has taken a structured approach to year one and deserves another chance, Vergne is under my radar, Bottas has great potential,Maldonado is a thug,Bianchi a future star,Pic a disappointment, Garde has improved after a very poor start and Chilton....well,he's beaten Bianchi a couple of times so I see something there.
That leaves Hulkenberg. 9 out of 10 and one of my top three
Webber. 6. The gap is such that there's nowhere to hide
Alonso. 9. He's always there.
Massa. 8. He's genuinely outpaced Alonso several times
Button. 6. Some classy races,but shouldve clearly buried Perez.
Perez. 6. Feisty.Great Monaco drive.Inconsistent.
Kimi. 7. Grosjean has had the edge too often
Grosjean. 9. The consistent Vettel challenger in second half
Rosberg. 8.5 Two great wins.raised bar very Hamilton
Hamilton. 8.5 The biggest talent, Imo, but is his head in right place?
Outside of the top ten, Ricciardo has impressed in qualifying, both Force India drivers are journeymen, Gutierrez has taken a structured approach to year one and deserves another chance, Vergne is under my radar, Bottas has great potential,Maldonado is a thug,Bianchi a future star,Pic a disappointment, Garde has improved after a very poor start and Chilton....well,he's beaten Bianchi a couple of times so I see something there.
That leaves Hulkenberg. 9 out of 10 and one of my top three
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