F1 Driver of the Year 2014: 1st
1st - Daniel RicciardoAverage poll score out of ten: 8.6Team: Infiniti Red Bull RacingCar: Red Bull Renault RB10Wins: 3Podiums: 8Poles: 0Fastest Laps: 1Best Finish 1stChampionship points: 238Championship position: 3rd out of 23
Expected to face a stern test of his abilities up against the four-time world champion, Daniel Ricciardo stepped up to Red Bull at the start of the season as an unproven talent and ended the year in the world class category.
Following a dismal pre-season, Ricciardo qualified a hugely unexpected second at his home race in Australia and proceeded to thrive under the pressure of expectation to finish second on the road, though he was later excluded for fuel flow issues. The team and car let him down in Malaysia - leaving Ricciardo scoreless after two races - but he soon hit back in spectacular fashion.
Having comfortably beaten Sebastian Vettel to finish fourth in Bahrain, Ricciardo repeated the trick in China as his qualifying performances caught the eye. The first podium followed in Spain and Ricciardo challenged Hamilton for second in Monaco but was left disappointed having not been able to fight for pole.
The disappointment was short-lived as Canada saw Ricciardo start sixth - his lowest grid slot of the year at the time - but deliver a ruthless drive to take his maiden victory as he carved through the chasing pack which was squabbling behind the ailing Nico Rosberg.
Better was to follow in Hungary, when Ricciardo passed Lewis Hamilton late in the race around the outside of Turn 3 and then Fernando Alonso a lap later as the Australian displayed exemplary race-craft. With the Mercedes' tripping over each other at Spa, Ricciardo eased to his most dominant win and ignited hopes of a title challenge.
While those hopes ultimately faded as the season drew to a close, Ricciardo still outshone Vettel in the majority of races and will have the full confidence and respect of Red Bull to lead the team in to 2015.
Daniel Ricciardo in the Crash.net F1 Driver of the YearTop 10 F1 Driver of the Year 2013: 10thTop 10 F1 Driver of the Year 2012: 16thTop 10 F1 Driver of the Year 2011: 19thTop 10 F1 Driver of the Year 2010: N/ATop 10 F1 Driver of the Year 2009: N/A
Do you agree with the poll results? Have your say in the comments section below...
About the vote:
Rather than repeat the Drivers' World Championship standings, the F1 Driver of the Year poll asks viewers to take into account factors such as machinery, performance relative to a team-mate, driving style, experience, injuries, progress and personality just as much as race results.
Over 100,000 votes were cast for the 2014 Crash.net F1 Driver of the Year poll, where viewers awarded each of this year's full-time participants.
