OK folks I know this will be a contentious thread and quite subjective but the best ones usually are.

Who is the driver of the year ?

My vote goes to Jenson. He was almost unbeatable in the first half of the season but faded badly towards the middle and end of season but he did enough to win his first WDC. My reasoning for giving it to Jenson is simple, the objective of every driver is to accrue more points than any other during the season and Jenson achieved this, so is a worthy champion and in my view driver of the year.

But it was a close call. Lewis did a remarkable job in the second half of the season, picking up more points than anyone else and proving to us all he has the ability to lead a team. Even though I am a keen supporter of Lewis I was really surprised how he finally came to terms with his disgraceful behaviour in Australia and Malaysia and his disappointment at not being able to defend his crown. I believe he finally came of age towards the end of the season and expect great things in the future.

The driver in my opinion who made the biggest impression on me this year was Kimi. I said it would be a contentious thread........ I have in the past been very critical of Kimi’s commitment and looking back still believe I was right, but after Massa’s dreadful accident Kimi led the Ferrari team from the front and had some awesome drives in a car that was not developed after mid season. We must remember that during this time Kimi was being dropped by his team and a lesser driver could easily have just given up. He seems to have rediscovered his mojo and if given a winning car next year he will surely be my favourite for the WDC.

As for the other contenders, Vettel made too many mistakes and is still to prove he can overtake. Webber had the best season of his career but only managed fourth in the championship but his wins were awesome drives, other than that he failed to really impress.

redfrog:

OK folks I know this will be a contentious thread and quite subjective but the best ones usually are.

Who is the driver of the year ?

My vote goes to Jenson. He was almost unbeatable in the first half of the season but faded badly towards the middle and end of season but he did enough to win his first WDC. My reasoning for giving it to Jenson is simple, the objective of every driver is to accrue more points than any other during the season and Jenson achieved this, so is a worthy champion and in my view driver of the year.

But it was a close call. Lewis did a remarkable job in the second half of the season, picking up more points than anyone else and proving to us all he has the ability to lead a team. Even though I am a keen supporter of Lewis I was really surprised how he finally came to terms with his disgraceful behaviour in Australia and Malaysia and his disappointment at not being able to defend his crown. I believe he finally came of age towards the end of the season and expect great things in the future.

The driver in my opinion who made the biggest impression on me this year was Kimi. I said it would be a contentious thread........ I have in the past been very critical of Kimi’s commitment and looking back still believe I was right, but after Massa’s dreadful accident Kimi led the Ferrari team from the front and had some awesome drives in a car that was not developed after mid season. We must remember that during this time Kimi was being dropped by his team and a lesser driver could easily have just given up. He seems to have rediscovered his mojo and if given a winning car next year he will surely be my favourite for the WDC.

As for the other contenders, Vettel made too many mistakes and is still to prove he can overtake. Webber had the best season of his career but only managed fourth in the championship but his wins were awesome drives, other than that he failed to really impress.

Wise words indeed.

I would only add that I would argue that Lewis was possibly the only driver who gave every race 100% even though the car wasn't working at it's best. I loveed his moves in China.

I also thank you for highlighting Kimi's performance because I also am not a fan but on reflection I think you make a good point. his performance at Belgium was superb as he kept clear focus and got the maximum from his car.

 

 

redfrog:

OK folks I know this will be a contentious thread and quite subjective but the best ones usually are.

Who is the driver of the year ?

My vote goes to Jenson. He was almost unbeatable in the first half of the season but faded badly towards the middle and end of season but he did enough to win his first WDC. My reasoning for giving it to Jenson is simple, the objective of every driver is to accrue more points than any other during the season and Jenson achieved this, so is a worthy champion and in my view driver of the year.

But it was a close call. Lewis did a remarkable job in the second half of the season, picking up more points than anyone else and proving to us all he has the ability to lead a team. Even though I am a keen supporter of Lewis I was really surprised how he finally came to terms with his disgraceful behaviour in Australia and Malaysia and his disappointment at not being able to defend his crown. I believe he finally came of age towards the end of the season and expect great things in the future.

The driver in my opinion who made the biggest impression on me this year was Kimi. I said it would be a contentious thread........ I have in the past been very critical of Kimi’s commitment and looking back still believe I was right, but after Massa’s dreadful accident Kimi led the Ferrari team from the front and had some awesome drives in a car that was not developed after mid season. We must remember that during this time Kimi was being dropped by his team and a lesser driver could easily have just given up. He seems to have rediscovered his mojo and if given a winning car next year he will surely be my favourite for the WDC.

As for the other contenders, Vettel made too many mistakes and is still to prove he can overtake. Webber had the best season of his career but only managed fourth in the championship but his wins were awesome drives, other than that he failed to really impress.

I've never been a Button fan, so I don't really care for him as a WDC, but he was in the right place at the right time and took full advantage of what was at his disposal and squeaked in this year. Good on him.

Lewis , ( compared to Heikki), did do a fantastic job once the car was under him. So full marks to lewis.

Now, I am a fan of Kimi for various reasons, and I can be objective as a fan as well but I completely agree with what you've said and for the same reasons you've given.

All around, a well thought out post.

Yep can’t argue with that. It has to be Jenson with SV a close second.

Seb made more errors, particularly in Melbourne and Monaco. Had he scored then obviously the championship would have been an altogether different story.

A great year for British Motorsport in 2009, well done Jense and Brawn

Yeah Jenson drove inch perfect without making mistakes at the start of the season I also thought Lewis shown his usual determination when he overtook Kimi about three times in that very wet race only to keep going off the track and Kimi re-overtaking him but he was still trying his best in an under performing car, Vettel is a confident young guy but it was so topsy turvy and one car could be at the front one race then at the back the next race it was very hard to judge anybody.

Rookie of the year no doubt there: Kobyashi.

Facts are Jenson won, so he has to be the best driver, not just because he had the double diffuser. When he had his advantage, he didnt put it to waste, I am sure even a driver like Lewis would have have flaffed up in those 6 races somewhere along the line, also he scored points in nearly every race and that was why he won in the end.

Still, Lewis Hmilton proved to me this season that pound for pound he is the TRUE best all round driver on the grid. He drove the worst car at the start of the season with all his heart, and he got back to Woking, pushed for upgrades and worked as a unit with all of the team. Lewis also out qualified a car that lacked a lot of pace, however, 7 tenths faster than anyone else in Adu Dhabi qualifying that is what you would call a true RACING PREDATOR!

SB was also good this season, and to think he had to cope with engine issues which were out of his hands and still pushed for the title, was great too, still a little suspect on his capablities of hardcore overtake moves, and it wasnt until Brazil he did any real overtaking...but on the whole he is up there.

Well I'm surprised there's not been an influx of negative anti posts! I agree with you, I think overall he's done a sound job and is fully deserving of the title. May I wave a red rag in the face of one or two and suggest Kimi has also done a pretty good job too under the circumstances.

andy karter:

Well I'm surprised there's not been an influx of negative anti posts! I agree with you, I think overall he's done a sound job and is fully deserving of the title. May I wave a red rag in the face of one or two and suggest Kimi has also done a pretty good job too under the circumstances.

 

 

NO NO NO and I would also like to add, don't push it! Most of the time this season, he reminded me of the tortoise and the hare, him being the tortoise.

anametoremember:

andy karter:

Well I'm surprised there's not been an influx of negative anti posts! I agree with you, I think overall he's done a sound job and is fully deserving of the title. May I wave a red rag in the face of one or two and suggest Kimi has also done a pretty good job too under the circumstances.

 

 

NO NO NO and I would also like to add, don't push it! Most of the time this season, he reminded me of the tortoise and the hare, him being the tortoise.

Funny, I was thinking of you when I posted it. You highlighted the wrong bit; should have been the line before!

Looks like you haven't been at all contentious so far, redfrog, everyone's agreed with you.  I'll join in and agree too. 

Funny, I was reading your post and thinking, yes, I agree, definitely Jenson is the top, and Lewis did very well too, but what about Kimi? and then I read on a bit and found you'd put Kimi in there as well.  I think the performances of Badoer and Fisichella show how bad the car was and how good Kimi was to get anything out of it - Luca admitted at the end that it was a dog of a car.  So well done Kimi, and Massa too, he was going really well before the accident.  Not sure about Vettel, not sure about his overtaking, will see how he goes next year.

And as someone else has said, Kobayashi for rookie of the year!

andy karter:

anametoremember:

andy karter:

Well I'm surprised there's not been an influx of negative anti posts! I agree with you, I think overall he's done a sound job and is fully deserving of the title. May I wave a red rag in the face of one or two and suggest Kimi has also done a pretty good job too under the circumstances.

 

 

NO NO NO and I would also like to add, don't push it! Most of the time this season, he reminded me of the tortoise and the hare, him being the tortoise.

Funny, I was thinking of you when I posted it. You highlighted the wrong bit; should have been the line before!

Alright, you have waved the red flag already, me being a typical Bull went for it, now quit before I sharpen my horns, I just want to chill out here LOL

pedekay:

Looks like you haven't been at all contentious so far, redfrog, everyone's agreed with you.  I'll join in and agree too. 

Funny, I was reading your post and thinking, yes, I agree, definitely Jenson is the top, and Lewis did very well too, but what about Kimi? and then I read on a bit and found you'd put Kimi in there as well.  I think the performances of Badoer and Fisichella show how bad the car was and how good Kimi was to get anything out of it - Luca admitted at the end that it was a dog of a car.  So well done Kimi, and Massa too, he was going really well before the accident.  Not sure about Vettel, not sure about his overtaking, will see how he goes next year.

And as someone else has said, Kobayashi for rookie of the year!

 

Considering his pay packet and the way massa was doing way better than him before his injury, BIG DEAL! Still his drive in Monaco was sterling, both from Massa and Kimi, the way they threw that KERS car around that track was indeed mind blowing. PART from that, big deal!