End of Season Awards F1 2021
Rewarding the good and the bad of Formula One in 2021.
The year is almost over and tis the season for reflection. The 2021 Formula One season will be remembered as one of the greatest of the modern era, and indisputably the best of the hybrid era so far.
With 2022 bringing sweeping regulation changes, this was an almighty high note to send off this generation of cars.
Max Verstappen took his first ever World Drivers Championship — potentially the first of many. Mercedes won their eighth World Constructors Championship, but waved goodbye to Valtteri Bottas.
The incumbent replacement, George Russell earned his first points in three seasons with Williams, including an unusual podium in Belgium. Nicholas Latifi joined him in the points, as the team finished in their highest position since 2017.
Ferrari bounced back from a miserable 2020, as they fought McLaren over third. However, it was McLaren who took the race victory — and the only one-two finish of the season — in their rivals’ home turf.
Renault became Alpine and welcomed Fernando Alonso back to the sport and the team.
The Spaniard returned to the podium for the first time since 2014 in Qatar, but it was teammate Esteban Ocon who earned his first F1 race win in Hungary, and the first for Alpine.
Sebastian Vettel moved from Ferrari to the re-branded Aston Martin team, where he won the most overtakes award. However, it was off-track that he had the biggest impact, as he continued to keep pushing towards a more economically and diverse F1.
Pierre Gasly shone for Alpha Tauri. There would be no dramatic race victory this time, but he competed consistently well all season long and scored an unlikely podium in Azerbaijan.
Yuki Tsunoda was one of three rookie drivers to enter the sport. Haas claimed the other two, as the Schumacher name returned via Mick, the son of Michael.
But, finally, the sport said goodbye to Kimi Raikkonen. The reigning Ferrari champion still to this day. After nearly 350 Grand Prix starts, the Finn called it quits on a long and lustrous career in F1.
That was our lot in 2021. So, to close out the show once and for all, I have chosen seven awards categories for the season, with one winner and two runners-up each. Plus, as a bonus, one totally unfounded but completely accurate wild prediction for the 2022 standings.
Italics indicates winner
Best Driver
Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton
Lando Norris
Verstappen is more than a worthy winner. The championship battle was close, but Verstappen’s overall consistency throughout the season was so flawless and impressive that he was the obvious pick for best driver.
Shoutout to Norris, who proved a lot of people wrong by outclassing the experienced Daniel Ricciardo for the majority of the campaign.
Best Drive
Lewis Hamilton @ Brazil
Sebastian Vettel @ Azerbaijan
Charles Leclerc @ Silverstone
Hamilton’s comeback drive in Brazil was the Briton at his best. His quali lap was immense, and the way he picked himself through the field following his back of the grid start was electrifying.
Vettel’s podium in Azerbaijan showed us that the four time champion still has a lot left in the tank, and Leclerc came so close to victory in Silverstone. Beating a Mercedes on-merit that day was the sign of an incredible drive from the young Ferrari starlet.
Best Race
France GP
Bahrain GP
Russia GP
This was a difficult one to choose, but the 2v2 nature of the Red Bull/Mercedes battle, which kept me on the edge of my seat all race, was too good not to reward.
Russia was a great mix of alternating strategy, comeback drives and unlikely weather chaos in the final few laps, and Bahrain was an excellent curtain raiser. Two very respectable runners-up.
Most Impressive (Team or Driver)
Carlos Sainz
Red Bull
Lando Norris
Of the drivers who swapped teams going into 2021, Sainz was easily the most impressive.
While he was somewhat fortunate to claim fifth in the Drivers Standings, he always put himself in the right place to make his luck when it was needed.
The Spaniard's consistency was freakish. Finishing every race of the season was also quite an achievement.
That Red Bull caught up to Mercedes in pace was also very impressive, Mercedes were so dominant in 2020 that no one could’ve predicted a championship fight 12 months ago.
Most Disappointing (Team or Driver)
Aston Martin
Daniel Ricciardo
Antonio Giovinazzi
Racing Point were in the fight for third in 2020, only missing out because of a points penalty they received from the FIA. The 2020 season also saw multiple podiums, a pole position and a race win.
That was a lot to live up to for Aston Martin’s new branding, but they completely failed to deliver. Dropping to sixth was very disappointing.
Ricciardo and Giovinazzi’s performances were also quite underwhelming. Ricciardo’s win in Monza probably the only thing saving him from “winning” this category.
Best On-Track Battle
Sergio Perez vs. Lewis Hamilton @ Abu Dhabi
Sergio Perez vs. Lewis Hamilton @ Turkey
Fernando Alonso vs. Lewis Hamilton @ Hungary
This generation of cars have made on-track battles extremely difficult, and there weren’t too many to choose from.
However, Checo’s battle with Hamilton in Abu Dhabi easily takes the cake. It was an excellent form of defence, and that it massively helped his teammate win the championship is the decisive factor in him winning this award.
His battle with Hamilton in Turkey was also very entertaining. Alonso’s stout defence against Hamilton in Hungary was also fantastic, a reminder of how great Alonso’s wheel-to-wheel combat is.
Best Qualifying Performance
Max Verstappen @ Abu Dhabi
George Russell @ Spa
Charles Leclerc @ Azerbaijan
This award should be for Verstappen’s pole lap in Saudi Arabia, the most gripping of the season, but for that pesky final corner that ruined everything. However, Verstappen put it all behind him one week later with a stunning lap in Abu Dhabi.
Given the pressure of the moment, and what transpired the week prior, this really was a spectacular lap from the Dutchman and definitely the best of the season.
Russell’s second place in Belgium was a crazy moment no one could’ve predicted. The team did well to manage the weather and Russell made the absolute most of it, extremely impressive.
Leclerc, too, deserves a shoutout for his couple pole positions from early in the season.
Wild, Chaotic & Unfounded 2022 Constructors Prediction
Ferrari
Alpine
Red Bull
Mercedes
Aston Martin
McLaren
Alpha Tauri
Haas
Williams
Alfa Romeo
Author’s Note:
This will be the final instalment of my F1 coverage for 2021 and my final piece of writing for the year, as well. Thanks to everyone who enjoyed my analysis and writing.
I’m extremely excited for 2022, and I look forward to doing more of the same once the build up to pre-season testing begins over the next few weeks!
But, until then, have a pleasant last week of 2021 and happy holidays for everyone who is celebrating. Have a healthy and happy New Year!
