Driver(s) of the Day - 2019 Australian Grand Prix

[UnlikeUday]

For me,

Bottas, Verstappen & Stroll

Special mention to Kubica (for a great comeback race)

[j man]

Have to give it to Bottas, a supreme performance today.

I think George Russell deserves a mention after lapping his team mate.

[Bacus]

I mean I'm a Hamilton fan, but who in the world voted him? 😄

[Lt. Drebin]

Voted Bottas, Stroll, Kvyat.

Honorable mention to Hulkenberg and Magnussen.

[Tassadar]

First star Bottas, second star Stroll, third star Norris (even though he had a bit of a tough race, still great debut!).

Honourable mention to Honda!

[sandman1347]

For me,

Bottas, Verstappen & Stroll

Special mention to Kubica (for a great comeback race)

Yeah with honorable mention to Russel.

[F1nut]

Bottas, no contest......., only thing hotter than him today was Carlos's McLaren.

[TheGiantHogweed]

Bottas and Stroll for sure. Still thinking about weather to go for Kvyat or Verstappen.


I somehow think I should be seeing more comments about how disappointing Hamilton was. Think about how much Bottas got criticised for races like Brazil last year when he was 22 seconds behind Hamilton. If this wasn't such a bad track for overtaking and Bottas hadn't hit that train of back markers, he likely would have built his 25 second lead to just under 30. When it is the other way round, Bottas gets criticized. Either Bottas was absolutely outstanding this race or Hamilton just was really struggling. Or it could be both. I know Hamilton was let down a bit by the strategy, but all the race, he didn't look quick on his tyres for some reason. That strategy won't have lost him that much time. Bottas just dominated, which I will admit, he's never done before.

Something about Bottas has changed. His determination for the fastest lap was unusual. The team wasn't desperate for it, but he was. I thought it was a bit risky and it could go wrong, but he took the risk and he got it. With his confidence boosted and speed looking great both in qualifying and the race, i actually expect him to be significantly closer to Hamilton this season.

[cmax]

I mean I'm a Hamilton fan, but who in the world voted him? 😄

Maybe he voted for himself

[Herb]

I mean I'm a Hamilton fan, but who in the world voted him? 😄

Maybe he voted for himself

Me...

But I can justify it.

For some reason I thought it was ordered by the finish order and clicked on the wrong one!

Oops

[BMWSauber84]

I somehow think I should be seeing more comments about how disappointing Hamilton was. Think about how much Bottas got criticised for races like Brazil last year when he was 22 seconds behind Hamilton. If this wasn't such a bad track for overtaking and Bottas hadn't hit that train of back markers, he likely would have built his 25 second lead to just under 30. When it is the other way round, Bottas gets criticized. Either Bottas was absolutely outstanding this race or Hamilton just was really struggling. Or it could be both. I know Hamilton was let down a bit by the strategy, but all the race, he didn't look quick on his tyres for some reason. That strategy won't have lost him that much time. Bottas just dominated, which I will admit, he's never done before.

Something about Bottas has changed. His determination for the fastest lap was unusual. The team wasn't desperate for it, but he was. I thought it was a bit risky and it could go wrong, but he took the risk and he got it. With his confidence boosted and speed looking great both in qualifying and the race, i actually expect him to be significantly closer to Hamilton this season.

I think because of the rarity of this, people are assuming something was wrong with Hamilton or his car. Merc say they've found floor damage.

This assumption is harsh on Bottas as we'll never know how much that issue affected Hamilton, and now it will be used to take away a bit from the Bottas performance.

But If he stays as focussed and confident as he currently is and keeps beating Hamilton then nobody will be writing off this display.

[j man]

Bottas and Stroll for sure. Still thinking about weather to go for Kvyat or Verstappen.


I somehow think I should be seeing more comments about how disappointing Hamilton was. Think about how much Bottas got criticised for races like Brazil last year when he was 22 seconds behind Hamilton. If this wasn't such a bad track for overtaking and Bottas hadn't hit that train of back markers, he likely would have built his 25 second lead to just under 30. When it is the other way round, Bottas gets criticized. Either Bottas was absolutely outstanding this race or Hamilton just was really struggling. Or it could be both. I know Hamilton was let down a bit by the strategy, but all the race, he didn't look quick on his tyres for some reason. That strategy won't have lost him that much time. Bottas just dominated, which I will admit, he's never done before.

Something about Bottas has changed. His determination for the fastest lap was unusual. The team wasn't desperate for it, but he was. I thought it was a bit risky and it could go wrong, but he took the risk and he got it. With his confidence boosted and speed looking great both in qualifying and the race, i actually expect him to be significantly closer to Hamilton this season.

This is one disappointing race for Hamilton, and we know he has them from time to time. Bottas last year had a string of disappointing races and in that circumstance he is more likely to attract stronger criticism.

[j man]

I'm surprised at all the praise for Stroll. Was he even that fast today? From what I could tell he benefited from Giovinazzi holding up several of his rivals, including Perez, allowing him to jump them all in the pitstops. His impressive-looking finish was more a result of circumstance than anything he did particularly well.

[mikeyg123]

I don't really get the votes for Stroll? He, Kvyat and Gasly made up about 4 places due to everyone who pitted early getting held up behind Giovinazzi. I'd vote for Kvyat before Stroll. He put in pretty much the exact same race but managed to keep a much faster car behind him for 58 laps.

[Lt. Drebin]

Bottas and Stroll for sure. Still thinking about weather to go for Kvyat or Verstappen.


I somehow think I should be seeing more comments about how disappointing Hamilton was. Think about how much Bottas got criticised for races like Brazil last year when he was 22 seconds behind Hamilton. If this wasn't such a bad track for overtaking and Bottas hadn't hit that train of back markers, he likely would have built his 25 second lead to just under 30. When it is the other way round, Bottas gets criticized. Either Bottas was absolutely outstanding this race or Hamilton just was really struggling. Or it could be both. I know Hamilton was let down a bit by the strategy, but all the race, he didn't look quick on his tyres for some reason. That strategy won't have lost him that much time. Bottas just dominated, which I will admit, he's never done before.

Something about Bottas has changed. His determination for the fastest lap was unusual. The team wasn't desperate for it, but he was. I thought it was a bit risky and it could go wrong, but he took the risk and he got it. With his confidence boosted and speed looking great both in qualifying and the race, i actually expect him to be significantly closer to Hamilton this season.

Bad start and floor damage is a valid excuse, I suppose. It really might be taking performance from him. However, where did he got it, and when?
But I was not impressed with: "My tyres won't last". And at the close of the race: "Let's try fastest lap."

[UnlikeUday]

I'm surprised at all the praise for Stroll. Was he even that fast today? From what I could tell he benefited from Giovinazzi holding up several of his rivals, including Perez, allowing him to jump them all in the pitstops. His impressive-looking finish was more a result of circumstance than anything he did particularly well.

Is that Stroll's problem if Giovinazzi held others? For close to half the race he was under pressure from Kvyat. From 16th, he finished 9th when all he got was criticism. He drove a mature drive, didn't put a foot wrong & managed to get the Racing Point car in the points even though he had faster cars behind him.

[Lt. Drebin]

I'm surprised at all the praise for Stroll. Was he even that fast today? From what I could tell he benefited from Giovinazzi holding up several of his rivals, including Perez, allowing him to jump them all in the pitstops. His impressive-looking finish was more a result of circumstance than anything he did particularly well.

Is that Stroll's problem if Giovinazzi held others? For close to half the race he was under pressure from Kvyat. From 16th, he finished 9th when all he got was criticism. He drove a mature drive, didn't put a foot wrong & managed to get the Racing Point car in the points even though he had faster cars behind him.

1. He held up faster cars with no error on his part (unlike Giovinazzi and Kvyat)
2. No one expected him to do that
3. And most importantly, he has beaten experienced and well established teammate Perez.

[j man]

I'm surprised at all the praise for Stroll. Was he even that fast today? From what I could tell he benefited from Giovinazzi holding up several of his rivals, including Perez, allowing him to jump them all in the pitstops. His impressive-looking finish was more a result of circumstance than anything he did particularly well.

Is that Stroll's problem if Giovinazzi held others? For close to half the race he was under pressure from Kvyat. From 16th, he finished 9th when all he got was criticism. He drove a mature drive, didn't put a foot wrong & managed to get the Racing Point car in the points even though he had faster cars behind him.

It's not his problem, but it hardly constitutes a "driver of the day" performance if he makes up positions through others' misfortune rather than his own merits.

[j man]

I'm surprised at all the praise for Stroll. Was he even that fast today? From what I could tell he benefited from Giovinazzi holding up several of his rivals, including Perez, allowing him to jump them all in the pitstops. His impressive-looking finish was more a result of circumstance than anything he did particularly well.

Is that Stroll's problem if Giovinazzi held others? For close to half the race he was under pressure from Kvyat. From 16th, he finished 9th when all he got was criticism. He drove a mature drive, didn't put a foot wrong & managed to get the Racing Point car in the points even though he had faster cars behind him.

1. He held up faster cars with no error on his part (unlike Giovinazzi and Kvyat)
2. No one expected him to do that
3. And most importantly, he has beaten experienced and well established teammate Perez.

He finished ahead of Perez. I wouldn't say he beat him.

And Giovinazzi didn't really make any errors, he just ran out of tyre life after the team left him out for far too long, presumably to help protect Raikkonen.

[UnlikeUday]

I'm surprised at all the praise for Stroll. Was he even that fast today? From what I could tell he benefited from Giovinazzi holding up several of his rivals, including Perez, allowing him to jump them all in the pitstops. His impressive-looking finish was more a result of circumstance than anything he did particularly well.

Is that Stroll's problem if Giovinazzi held others? For close to half the race he was under pressure from Kvyat. From 16th, he finished 9th when all he got was criticism. He drove a mature drive, didn't put a foot wrong & managed to get the Racing Point car in the points even though he had faster cars behind him.

It's not his problem, but it hardly constitutes a "driver of the day" performance if he makes up positions through others' misfortune rather than his own merits.

So if misfortunes can't be accredited to the finishing position, how would You rate Hamilton's win in Germany last year? There can be misfortunes or wrong strategy calls but at the end of the day, You've to finish as high as possible. It's even much more prominent in a very tight midfield battle.

[mikeyg123]

I'm surprised at all the praise for Stroll. Was he even that fast today? From what I could tell he benefited from Giovinazzi holding up several of his rivals, including Perez, allowing him to jump them all in the pitstops. His impressive-looking finish was more a result of circumstance than anything he did particularly well.

Is that Stroll's problem if Giovinazzi held others? For close to half the race he was under pressure from Kvyat. From 16th, he finished 9th when all he got was criticism. He drove a mature drive, didn't put a foot wrong & managed to get the Racing Point car in the points even though he had faster cars behind him.

1. He held up faster cars with no error on his part (unlike Giovinazzi and Kvyat)
2. No one expected him to do that
3. And most importantly, he has beaten experienced and well established teammate Perez.

He beat Perez because he had what turned out to be the better strategy.

[j man]

I'm surprised at all the praise for Stroll. Was he even that fast today? From what I could tell he benefited from Giovinazzi holding up several of his rivals, including Perez, allowing him to jump them all in the pitstops. His impressive-looking finish was more a result of circumstance than anything he did particularly well.

Is that Stroll's problem if Giovinazzi held others? For close to half the race he was under pressure from Kvyat. From 16th, he finished 9th when all he got was criticism. He drove a mature drive, didn't put a foot wrong & managed to get the Racing Point car in the points even though he had faster cars behind him.

It's not his problem, but it hardly constitutes a "driver of the day" performance if he makes up positions through others' misfortune rather than his own merits.

So if misfortunes can't be accredited to the finishing position, how would You rate Hamilton's win in Germany last year? There can be misfortunes or wrong strategy calls but at the end of the day, You've to finish as high as possible. It's even much more prominent in a very tight midfield battle.

Hamilton's win in Germany last year was highly impressive, but mainly because he started 14th and made his way up to 2nd on merit. There was some good fortune in getting from 2nd to first but one could make the case that Vettel's mistake was at least partly result of Hamilton applying pressure because he was catching rapidly in the wet conditions. A better example would be his win in Baku last year which he didn't deserve and thus didn't really get any plaudits for. Or even his win in Brazil, which was inherited after Verstappen's mistake. Neither were driver of the day performances, and I've not looked back and checked but I'm fairly sure that was recognised in this forum at the time.

You have to look at more than the result, the manner of how it was achieved is more important. If Kubica had finished 8th because there were only 8 finishers I wouldn't regard that as worthy of any particular recognition.

[Paolo_Lasardi]

Bottas and Magnussen

[mcdo]

Bottas all the way

Honourable mentions to Stroll and Magnussen

[tootsie323]

Stroll deserves credit for his race. Yes, circumstance put him into the points but he kept it there.
However, my vote goes to Bottas. Nailed the start, didn't put a foot wrong throughout the race, wanted the fastest lap and achieved it. Hopefully, none of the misfortune he suffered early last season - which effectively out him out of the WDC running - will revisit him this time.

[Fiki]

I voted Kvyat and the two half-Belgians; Verstappen and Stroll. I have to watch the race again to make sure these impressed me most (Kimi and Robert also did, so honourable mentions to them), but I kept nodding off watching it from my warm bed rather than getting up early.

The Ferrari decision left me a bit disappointed, but overall rather happy with all the drivers.

[j man]

I voted Kvyat and the two half-Belgians; Verstappen and Stroll. I have to watch the race again to make sure these impressed me most (Kimi and Robert also did, so honourable mentions to them), but I kept nodding off watching it from my warm bed rather than getting up early.

The Ferrari decision left me a bit disappointed, but overall rather happy with all the drivers.

Which Robert is this? I mean it can't have been Kubica, who hit Gasly at the start and was lapped by his team mate...

[JN23]

I'm surprised at all the praise for Stroll. Was he even that fast today? From what I could tell he benefited from Giovinazzi holding up several of his rivals, including Perez, allowing him to jump them all in the pitstops. His impressive-looking finish was more a result of circumstance than anything he did particularly well.

Is that Stroll's problem if Giovinazzi held others? For close to half the race he was under pressure from Kvyat. From 16th, he finished 9th when all he got was criticism. He drove a mature drive, didn't put a foot wrong & managed to get the Racing Point car in the points even though he had faster cars behind him.

1. He held up faster cars with no error on his part (unlike Giovinazzi and Kvyat)
2. No one expected him to do that
3. And most importantly, he has beaten experienced and well established teammate Perez.

He finished ahead of Perez. I wouldn't say he beat him.

And Giovinazzi didn't really make any errors, he just ran out of tyre life after the team left him out for far too long, presumably to help protect Raikkonen.

Giovanazzi drove most of the race with damage apparently

https://twitter.com/wbuxtonofficial/sta ... 93984?s=19

[pokerman]

Bottas, the other top drivers were either too slow or made a big error in the race.

[pokerman]

Bottas and Stroll for sure. Still thinking about weather to go for Kvyat or Verstappen.


I somehow think I should be seeing more comments about how disappointing Hamilton was. Think about how much Bottas got criticised for races like Brazil last year when he was 22 seconds behind Hamilton. If this wasn't such a bad track for overtaking and Bottas hadn't hit that train of back markers, he likely would have built his 25 second lead to just under 30. When it is the other way round, Bottas gets criticized. Either Bottas was absolutely outstanding this race or Hamilton just was really struggling. Or it could be both. I know Hamilton was let down a bit by the strategy, but all the race, he didn't look quick on his tyres for some reason. That strategy won't have lost him that much time. Bottas just dominated, which I will admit, he's never done before.

Something about Bottas has changed. His determination for the fastest lap was unusual. The team wasn't desperate for it, but he was. I thought it was a bit risky and it could go wrong, but he took the risk and he got it. With his confidence boosted and speed looking great both in qualifying and the race, i actually expect him to be significantly closer to Hamilton this season.

Bad start and floor damage is a valid excuse, I suppose. It really might be taking performance from him. However, where did he got it, and when?
But I was not impressed with: "My tyres won't last". And at the close of the race: "Let's try fastest lap."

Yeah Hamilton never seems to trust the tyres early in the season until he gets an handle on them.

[JN23]

Bottas was excellent.

I'd also give shouts to Magnussen and Verstappen

[TheBlackFlag]

I mean I'm a Hamilton fan, but who in the world voted him? 😄

My thoughts as well...

[whitewolfarctic]

Went with Bottas, Kvyat and Verstappen.

[kleefton]

Bottas, Stroll and Verstappen for me.

Bottas was faultless, had tremendous pace and really won this race the way Vettel used to win races at Redbull, continuing to open the gap with no mercy. i just feel that Lewis won't like that at all and will be looking to pay him back lol

Stroll again, makes up positions while nobody notices and finishes the races, keeping faster cars behind. I think we are about to learn more about that guy. His qualifying pace is nothing to write home about, but maybe we have another Jenson Button in the making?

Max was max, overtaking a car he really should have struggled to overtake, and kept Lewis on his toes and puts himself on the podium. He did go off once in his pursuit of Lewis, but I don't think it mattered. From what I saw Lewis even in the damaged car had enough pace to keep him behind.

[Mort Canard]

1. Valtteri Bottas for the win.
2. Max Verstappen for beating both Ferraris. Even without his off when chasing Lewis I don't think he could have passed Hamilton.
3. Kevin Magnussen for coming home "best of the rest".

[Exediron]

Bottas, Stroll & Kvyat.