This may be a suprise, considering he rewrote the record books this season, and generally dominated, but i'm not picking Sebastian Vettel as driver of the season. For me, that accolade goes to Heikki Kovalainen. He made Q2 3 times, in a car that had no business being there, and hung on to the lower midfield in a terrible car. Vettel was expected to perform, Kovalainen wasn't. Which driver/drivers has/have stood out for you this season?
Vettel. When he has the dominant car, he wins. When he doesn't have the dominant car, he wins and still dominates. His intelligence, speed, consistency and ability to pull a fast lap out of the bag in qualifying makes him the best driver this year. Alonso is a close second as he's been relentless all year and Button is a bit further back in third.
Has to be Vettel. Best car yes, but he made the most of it and dominated in a way that hasn't been seen for many years. Some very good drives further down the field, but hard to say anyone else really stood out on a regular basis.
Vettel couldn't really do anything else to better his season, No one could have done better than Vettel in the Red Bull this season in all likelihood. Alonso has also been fast and consistent this season, but not enough to even get close to toppling Vettel. No one has really got close to Vettel this season, there's been the odd brilliance but nothing in comparison to the whole season. Kovalainen has done a sterling job this year and rightly deserves a mention, but to me, my choice is: VETTEL
BLS, coudl you put a poll up for this one? Say Vettel Button Alonso Heikki Have their been any others really?
Has to be Chandhok for me... Just kidding... Vettel. I'd offer an explanation, but what would be the point?
It has to be Vettel, yes I know he had the best car etc., but someone who was that dominant has to win this. It will be very hard for anyone to push him off his perch next season, expect another Schumi-style era of dominance. And he's only 12.
Jenson Button. The first driver in F1 to beat Lewis Hamilton over a season, in the same car. Beating a determined Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber in a dominant Red Bull to take second in the championship. That absolutely spellbinding drive in Canada!
Heikki (Despite me being biased) has had a phenomenal season in that Lotus, and I look forward to seeing how he gets on next season. The fact he has made 30 places up on the first lap of races this year, in vastly inferior machinery, speaks for itself. Otherwise, beyond Vettel, I think Alonso and Button have driven the best seasons of their careers, Sutil has done well, but nobody else really stands out. Given the performance 'hole' that the Mercedes are in, I don't think either of them can be given driver of the season, as they've only been competing with each other all season, and neither hugely dominated. Both Sauber drivers have had their moments, Alguersari has come good as the season has worn on, but nobody else really stands out.
Driver of the season? - There is not a shadow of doubt in my mind, as to who this award should go to; although there is a very clear 'next best driver of the season'. Sebastian Vettel. Who's the other guy? Once again, not a shadow of doubt: Jenson Button.
Ha! Perhaps we should have an 'order of merit? For me, a top three decision is a 'no brainer': Vettel Button Alonso
