JONATHAN McEVOY’S
HIGHS AND LOWS OF F1 SEASON
DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Lewis Hamilton in the form of his life. Lightning quick over one lap — Singapore being the highlight, a mature judge of when to attack and when to exercise caution — Monza the zenith. He has not made a notable error. Aged 33, he stands higher in the estimation of his peers than at any time, as is evident in press conference exchanges. He also holds a rare distinction among modern greats of never having fought dirty on track and that makes him a champion in excelsis.
RACE OF THE YEAR
The US Grand Prix, the nervejangler where Hamilton came so close to winning the title. The Brit lit up the timing screens, but Mercedes’ error in bringing him in early for new tyres proved decisive. Near the end you could have thrown a blanket over the leading three cars. Five million British television viewers, more than watched
X Factor on the other side, were gripped. Verstappen was on a run of mishaps at the first six races, hitting all the big guns, including his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo. What was up? He was less than impressed by this line of interrogation, saying: ‘I think if I get a few more questions (about crashing) I’ll headbutt someone.’ But he has finished the season dazzlingly. Max v Lewis next season? The dream scenario.
SNACK OF THE YEAR
Sportsmail’s revelation that McLaren’s disgruntled staff were being handed 25p Freddo chocolate bars as bonuses highlighted a malaise within the underperforming team. Eric Boullier paid with his job as racing director. Nothing has improved their results since, but McLaren insist they have laid the groundwork for an upturn by shuffling staff in, out and around. Upon that hope hangs the future of chief executive Zak Brown. Good luck with that.
MOAN OF THE YEAR
Monaco glistens, but this year’s race was boring even by the somnolent standards of the old principality. There is a plan to reclaim land from the sea and it is my suggestion that they look to redraw part of the track to include an overtaking opportunity or two. Radical, I know.
GAMBLE OF THE YEAR
It was a shock when
Sportsmail revealed that Daniel Ricciardo was leaving Red Bull for Renault. His boss Christian Horner thought the Aussie was winding him up when he told him. But how does Ricciardo feel now? Nervous, one expects. His Renault engine inside the Red Bull has conked out on him at nearly every turn since.
SMASH OF THE YEAR
Cigar-smoking neurologist Prof Sid Watkins, the pioneer of so many safety improvements, has gone, but the FIA’s quest to save drivers from the most spectacular of crashes continues to amaze. Charles Leclerc’s head was protected from a potentially fatal impact with Fernando Alonso’s flying McLaren by the new halo device in Spa. Five days later at Monza, there were scuff marks on Marcus Ericsson’s halo, after his Sauber bounced off the ground. But, hey, no bones broken. We move on.
QUOTE OF THE YEAR