Unleashing the Best Performers in F1 – The Driver of the Day Award

In Formula One, the league often celebrates the best performers on the track with the Driver of the Day Award. This accolade, introduced in 2016, is a fan-driven recognition given to the most outstanding driver of a Grand Prix.

By acknowledging the efforts of the best performers on the track, this award motivates drivers to push themselves to the limit, providing an added layer of excitement to the sport. 

For race enthusiasts, this award is important as it allows them to have a say in acknowledging the exceptional performances of drivers.

It highlights the efforts of those who may have missed the podium and encourages fans to get more involved in the F1 experience.

How the Driver of the Day is Chosen

The Driver of the Day Award selection process is a fascinating aspect that adds to the thrill of the race for the fans. Notably, the fans play a vital role in this process, making it unique and engaging.

They can vote for their favorite driver via the official F1 website during the Grand Prix. It creates a sense of involvement and excitement, as fans can follow their chosen driver’s progress and track their votes in real time.

This process allows fans to have a voice in the selection of the Driver of the Day, giving them a sense of ownership and connection to the sport.

The real-time voting system makes the selection process even more thrilling as fans can witness their votes count towards the final outcome.

It creates a sense of competition amongst fans, which may support different drivers and rally others to vote for their choice.

As a result, the selection process becomes a community-driven activity that brings fans together, enhancing their experience of the race.

Charles Leclerc is a driver who races in F1 for Scuderia Ferrari and has won the Driver of the Day award multiple times.

Sebastian Vettel is another consistent recipient. He is the current winner of the award, which he picked up in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of the 2022 season.

Impact of the Driver of the Day Award

One of the key benefits of winning the F1 Driver of the Day Award is the potential to transform a driver’s career.

This prestigious recognition can significantly boost a driver’s profile and popularity among fans, both of which can have a tangible impact on their career prospects.

His social media following grew when Leclerc won the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix award. This newfound attention helped to raise his profile within the sport and garnered him a new group of supporters worldwide.

But it’s not just about the external recognition of winning the Driver of the Day Award. The psychological impact can be just as significant.

Knowing that fans have recognized their exceptional performance and experts can give a driver a huge confidence boost, translating into better results on the track.

It was certainly the case for Sergio Perez, who drove for Red Bull at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix. After earning the title Driver of the Day, the Mexican driver secured his first-ever win in Formula One at the following race in Sakhir.

Max Verstappen started picking up Driver of the Day awards back in 2016. He is notably the most recent World Champion, breaking records for the most race wins and most points in the 2022 season.

Controversies Surrounding the Driver of the Day Award

While the Driver of the Day Award has become a popular and highly-regarded recognition in Formula One, it’s not without controversies.

One of the biggest criticisms of the award is that it may only sometimes reflect the true best driver in a race.

Fans vote on the award during the race, meaning popularity and fanbase can significantly determine the winner.

While the criteria for selecting the winner includes factors such as sportsmanship, it’s still a subjective decision that a driver’s popularity with fans can influence.

This has led to some controversial wins of the award in the past. For example, Lewis Hamilton won the 2020 British Grand Prix award despite receiving a five-second penalty for colliding with another driver.

One can argue that Hamilton’s popularity with fans played a role in his win rather than his performance on the track.

Conclusion

The Driver of the Day Award has emerged as a coveted driver recognition. However, it is not without controversy, as some have questioned its bias towards more popular drivers.

Regardless of the criticism, the award continues to be a thrilling aspect of the sport, allowing fans to have their voices heard and giving lesser-known drivers a chance to shine on a global stage.