Have Your Say: Who is Your F1 Driver of the Year?

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.jpg
The 2021 Formula 1 season was a drama and action packed season; we want to hear who your Driver of the Year is.

We're just one week removed from the conclusion of the 2021 Formula 1 season. This was a season filled with moments of awe and controversy, and not one F1 fans are soon to forget. The amazing efforts of all of the drivers kept this season compelling, but certain drivers stood out as exceptional this year, and we want to hear from you who had the best season overall. Here are some ideas:

Max Verstappen / Lewis Hamilton - The obvious choices for Driver of the Year would be Verstappen and Hamilton, who battled week after week, each taking turns leading the drivers' points championship. Verstappen was the more consistent of the two and claimed his first championship, but the late season response of Hamilton was also impressive, so there's a strong case for either being Driver of the Year.

Lando Norris - Red Bull and Mercedes were close in points for most of the season. And while this rivalry was heating up, Lando Norris was quietly running in 3rd place in the drivers' standings, ahead of the highly favoured Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. The season didn't finish that way, but Norris' first half of the season was well above expectations, and some poorly timed rain was all that stood between Norris and a deserved win in Russia.

Carlos Sainz - Most of us knew that the Ferrari team of Sainz and Charles Leclerc would have a strong showing in 2021 if given a good car, but there was a sense that Leclerc could steal headlines and establish himself as the top driver between the two. Carlos Sainz impressed everyone this year, collecting four podium finishes and finishing outside of the points only twice.

So let us know in the comments below who you think was Driver of the Year in F1. And remember to keep your comments respectful; we hope to end our Formula 1 coverage for the year on a positive note.

Photo credits: Red Bull Content Pool
About author
Mike Smith
I have been obsessed with sim racing and racing games since the 1980's. My first taste of live auto racing was in 1988, and I couldn't get enough ever since. Lead writer for RaceDepartment, and owner of SimRacing604 and its YouTube channel. Favourite sims include Assetto Corsa Competizione, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2, DiRT Rally 2 - On Twitter as @simracing604

Comments

For me, the obvious choice is Hamilton. He closed a 32 point gap during the second half of the season and remained calm despite the massive pressure. At the final Grand Prix, he did everything right: Kept his focus during qualifying and got the best grid position he could manage without overdoing it, then produced a great start and controlled the race perfectly.
Without Masi's decision towards the end, which clearly contradicts the written rules, Abu Dhabi was Hamilton's race and title win. The last time a title was so blatantly given to the undeserving contender was 1994. Verstappen still lacks too many crucial skills like oversight and race craft, he remains stuck in his "always push, never yield, no matter what" perspective.
Norris and Sainz showed their great potential, less sure about Gasly who did not perform well on a sufficiently consistent level. Tsunoda looked promising at the beginning but proved less so as the season progressed. Leclerc had his highlights but also seemed unable to maintain top performance through-out the season.
 
Last edited:
My vote would be for Verstappen, I understand that is an obvious choice and I am a redbull fan but considering other than retirements and the hungary accident through no fault of his own his worst running finish was second I believe. I find that feat quite incredible in itself. I would also like to submit an honorable mention for Lando Norris as well, he really maximized their package and often outperformed it. Hopefully Mclaren can come out of the gates quick with new regs and give him a front running car as I am confident he would make the most of it.
 
Mazespin. Someone that bad getting an F1 seat is a feat in itself. That, and being awesomely much slower than your teammate.
Sadly since daddy chem bucks is a billionaire and Haas is struggling for money this is nothing new to F1.
 
Carlos Sainz - never envisaged a scenario where he'd move to Ferrari and match Leclerc on all round performance.

Of the 'big two' have to give it to Lewis seeing as delivered on the day under extreme pressure, knowing he had to finish and fighting two very aggressive Red Bull drivers. Max also very good but ultimately made more mistakes as the Championship got to the crunch.
 

Latest News

Article information

Author
Mike Smith
Article read time
2 min read
Views
10,148
Comments
113
Last update

Online or Offline racing?

  • 100% online racing

    Votes: 74 7.3%
  • 75% online 25% offline

    Votes: 105 10.3%
  • 50% online 50% offline

    Votes: 146 14.4%
  • 25% online 75% offline

    Votes: 279 27.5%
  • 100% offline racing

    Votes: 407 40.1%
  • Something else, explain in comment

    Votes: 4 0.4%
Back
Top