F1’s 2017 ‘alternative awards’

At this time of year Formula 1 is eager to reveal the best of the best for each classic category from best overtake to best radio, but with a tilted look back on the 2017 season Crash has come up with some of its own ‘alternative awards’...

Best facial hair of the year – Chase Carey

The moustached F1 supremo has caught the eye on Liberty Media’s arrival as the sport’s new owners in 2017 largely thanks to his excellently-sculpted facial hair. Carey beats off close contenders Dr Dieter Zetsche, head of Mercedes, for his impressive snowy dustpan brush moustache and Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo’s multiple offerings and stylings during the season.

Best handbags moment – Kevin Magnussen versus Nico Hulkenberg

With F1 ready to celebrate the start of the summer break a somewhat unexpected but grab-the-popcorn moment came in the FIA TV pen after the Hungarian Grand Prix between Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg. The German driver approached his Haas rival mid-interview to sarcastically congratulate him on his driving – the pair clashed during the race – which sparked an instant “suck my balls” retort from the Danish driver. The pair continued to stare each other down to see who’d blink first before regaining composure having realised the whole of the TV media was watching with bated breath. Our call is it was a score draw and a rematch should be scheduled for 2018.

Rant of the year – Fernando Alonso against everything

Whether he was taking aim at his unreliable McLaren-Honda, his fellow F1 drivers (more times than not Jolyon Palmer was the primary target) or just looking to enjoy himself struggling at the back of the pack due to engine penalties, some of Fernando Alonso’s radio rants have been ones to remember.

The Broken Mirror award – Daniil Kvyat

An award previously held by Esteban Gutierrez for his domination of 11^th place in 2016, Daniil Kvyat became the definition of when it rains it pours. 2017 was meant to be seen as a reprieve and the chance of a comeback at Toro Rosso after his Red Bull demotion midway through last season. In truth, it turned out to be the beginning of the end as his form continued to plummet, which was emphasised by his team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr’s triumphs in the sister car, but to be dropped not once but twice during the season must mean the Russian has walked under too many ladders over the past two years.

Best comedy routine – Vettel, Hamilton and Ricciardo in the pre-Abu Dhabi GP press conference

This awards was never going to miss out Daniel Ricciardo somewhere in the line-up but the chilled end-of-term feeling to the last pre-race FIA press conference also starred main title fighters Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. It had been hoped the F1 world title scrap would continue to a frantic finale but with the Mercedes driver wrapping it all up in Mexico there was little to play for in Abu Dhabi. A chance to reflect on the season and what was to come in the future. Ricciardo was quick to quip he’s eager to add to the trio’s collective eight world titles, while Vettel backed himself into a corner by laying claim to all the other suggested awards but forgetting the Fair Play honour with his Baku misdemeanour.

Surprise of the year – Lance Stroll’s podium in Baku

The vast media attention on F1 rookie Lance Stroll turned into immense pressure when the Canadian teenager failed to finish his opening three races but a strong show of mettle demonstrated he deserved to be in F1 as 2016 European Formula 3 champion. In the most frantic race of the season, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Stroll was one of few drivers to keep a cool head, and most importantly a damage-free car, to find himself skating up to second place in the closing laps. Had it not been for a charging Valtteri Bottas who nailed his final lap, Stroll was destined for a shock second but third place still makes the Williams driver the youngest-ever rostrum finisher in F1 history.

Best Tweet of the year – Jos Verstappen

Hell hath no fury like a father scorned when Jos Verstappen saw his son Max demoted from the podium at the United States Grand Prix for his last-lap pass on Kimi Raikkonen. In a barrage of quick-fire tweets, Jos tempered himself with “Shame on you FIA” before tweeting a picture insinuating the FIA stood for Ferrari International Assistance.

Shame on you FIA

— Jos Verstappen (@MaVic009) October 22, 2017

An honourable mention goes to Ferrari’s take on the start of the Singapore Grand Prix claiming “VER took #Kimi7 out and then he went to #Seb5” which became an intriguing description of events particularly when the Italian squad failed to front up to the media after the race. Ferrari’s press team explained the tweet was not sent by them but by someone inside the Ferrari garage. The mystery tweeter remains formally unidentified.