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There are two kinds of F1 stories out there right now. The first are awe-struck appreciations of the genius of Adrian Newey, which conclude there will be no beating the Bulls over the next three races. The second are slightly hollow-sounding reports of rallying calls at Ferrari who now have it all to do if they are to win their first title since the Schumacher era. There are, in other words, only two drivers that matter; Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso.
And that must be quite disheartening for the other 20, whether they are the (still mathematically possible would-be-champ) Kimi Raikkonen, the (mathematically, but only mathematically possible) Lewis Hamilton or the never-ever-even-remotely-possible champ Natain Karthikeyan. Which is why the Sunday Afternoon Club is launching its Sunday Driver Ratings this weekend. Less for the drivers, who to be perfectly honest, won’t give a damn, but more for us. Just to keep us interested in Abu Dhabi, Austin and São Paulo.
There’s no system, just marks for effort and/or for entertaining us. A fastest lap for instance doesn’t necessarily score a high grade, but crashing in to the pit wall (it happens, eh Mr Coulthard) similarly doesn’t necessarily merit a low score. We are looking to you, ‘the other 20’, to entertain us.
So as well as are usual reports from Friday practice, Saturday qualifying and the main event on Sunday, we’ll be floating some ideas as to who has caught our imagination. And we ask you to do the same and draw our attention to that in the comments. We’ll take them all on board when the Sunday Driver Ratings Committee meets over a bacon sandwich on Monday morning. Okay? We’re thinking grades as you seemed to like that last time when we filled out our half term reports earlier in the year, but let us know if you’d prefer marks out of ten.
The BBC and Sky are there so no excuses for not joining in. The BBC even have the free practice sessions on the Red Button. Practice is today at 9am and again at 1pm. Qualifying and the race are both on at 1pm over the weekend. See you then…
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
twnturbo commented on this article
Friday November 2, 2012 at 11:54 am
I think for me Bruno Senna is driver of the year, he did a tremendous job this year with the Williams getting very close to podium finishes, so he for me is the driver of the year
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MercedesSLS_AMG commented on this article
Friday November 2, 2012 at 11:58 am
Sebastian Vettel will win the title. First half of the year I think he wanted to relax a bit after two championships in a row. But I think his car must be too quick, and can’t help but beat everyone on the grid. Amazing drives by SebVet.
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120Y commented on this article
Friday November 2, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Entertaining? Grosjean! Maldonado!
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FuzzFowler commented on this article
Friday November 2, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Kimi Räikkönen is easily my favourite this year. He’s been brutally consistent with that rather sluggish Lotus. With working DRS he’d, without a doubt, be on the top this season.
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ICE MAN commented on this article
Friday November 2, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Best driver of the year – that could be only one – Kimi Raikkonen. Amazing driving all season long, despite speed deficiency. Given a faster car, he’d be on top.
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oliroolz commented on this article
Friday November 2, 2012 at 3:17 pm
definately not vettel! had not quite the best car in the first half of the year, and guess what? did not do well at all really….best driver has to be Alonso for me, he has been consistant and has done things that really should not be possible in that dog of a ferrari! hed be still leading if he hadnt been taken out of two races!! (both by lotus) and i think they owe him a world championship really! Also, perez has been very interesting to watch and quite entertaining!
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Dimagio commented on this article
Friday November 2, 2012 at 3:44 pm
I think the first title for Ferrari after the Schumacher era is the title won by Kimi in 2007 (constructor’s and driver’s championship)
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120Y commented on this article
Friday November 2, 2012 at 3:54 pm
@Dimagio
nice catch!
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Dimagio commented on this article
Friday November 2, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Thank you, i am a Kimi fan
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porterMD commented on this article
Friday November 2, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Ferrari last won a title in 2007… with Kimi… after dear MICHAEL retired the first time…
Kimi is easily the best driver. Second tier car this season and still third in the points.
If Renault, erm Lotus, can get its act together, or if Kimi goes back to Macca or Maranello, we will see more titles from the Iceman.
Btw, a BBC TopGear article with no mention of Ham? I am in disbelief.
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CymroStig commented on this article
Friday November 2, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Kimi has been my favourite driver over the whole year but the single best drive would be Romain for his drive after the ban, going into a race knowing that your number one goal is to survive intact rather than win is tough for any sportsman let alone a professional. he did well.
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chicane commented on this article
Saturday November 3, 2012 at 9:57 am
If Ferrari wouldn’t be able to pull it off this race, it’s a definite Driver’s title win for Sebastian Vettel again.. but it must also be said it’s about roughly 60% to Adrian Newey technical superiority and the remaining 40% to Vettel’s talent.
Rating for the best true talent as an F1 pilot, my vote goes to Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen.
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migueld911 commented on this article
Saturday November 3, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Fernando Alonso, obvious
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tomtom commented on this article
Saturday November 3, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Fernando Alonso, did great with mediocre car
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ADRJAG commented on this article
Saturday November 3, 2012 at 3:31 pm
I think Fernando y Kimi
Kimi after 3 years in rally and he fight for the championship
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Ilovehamilton commented on this article
Sunday November 4, 2012 at 6:14 am
IT IS OBVIOUSLY ALONSO HELOOOOOO DO YOUR REMEMBER VALENCIA,MONZA, GERMANY
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qwertyuiopasdfghjkl commented on this article
Sunday November 4, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Lewis, so fast and consistent but always let down by the team. Could have the championship wrapped up by now without Macca’s stupid mistakes
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Tim commented on this article
Tuesday November 6, 2012 at 1:52 am
Sorry, Alonso is by far and away the best driver this season. To be 10 points off the title lead with 2 races to go is an amazing effort considering the car hasn’t been optimal all year. Hats off to him even if he gets pipped to the title by Vettel. Alonso deserves it more than anyone else. But deserving it, doesn’t win it for you.
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Tim commented on this article
Tuesday November 6, 2012 at 1:54 am
Also to whoever wrote this blog. Ferrari won a title with Raikkonen in 2007.
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