Sebastian Vettel was voted the Driver of the Weekend by F1 Fanatic readers for the first time this year following the Italian Grand Prix.
The race saw his eighth victory of the season, won from pole position following a thrilling pass on Fernando Alonso.
Driver of the Italian Grand Prix Weekend poll – top three
1. Sebastian Vettel – 38.2%
2. Michael Schumacher – 29.6%
3. Jenson Button – 18.2%
Girts summed up why these drivers made the top three:
Schumacher again had a superb start, then drove a great race and was definitely the entertainer of the day.
Button proved once again that, in F1, calmness and maturity often count more than the raw speed. If he goes on driving like that, I wouldn’t bet against him winning the second title (not this year, of course).
But it’s Vettel who gets my vote. His pace was fantastic and he didn’t make any obvious mistakes.
His pass on Alonso was one of the most impressive overtaking manoeuvres that I have seen since the end of 1996 when I started watching F1. I guess Vettel has now silenced some of those critics who have previously pointed at his “inability to overtake”.
Girts
Vettel had never won the poll before this race. After the Italian Grand Prix, many readers were certain that his performance would finally earn him the top spot. They were right:
If Vettel doesn’t get this then I have no idea what he has to do?
Icthyes
If Vettel doesn’t win this one he’ll never win a driver of the weekend.
TommyB89
Sebastian Vettel
Vettel was once again untouchable in qualifying where he was faster than second Hamilton by nearly half a second.
His performance and overtaking manoeuvre on Alonso won over some of his doubters:
Has to be Vettel. I have to admit to not being 100% convinced he was the good but the last two races have confirmed his position as not just in the top three drivers but perhaps right at the top.
His pass on Alonso was special, very brave and vital at that stage of the race. Pretty much secured his second championship. Well done!
adamf184
I won’t deny that I have been sceptical of Vettel’s race craft and bravery, but that would have to be one of the overtakes of the year, only behind Webber’s pass on Alonso in Spa.
Alonso made it very clear that he wasn’t going to let Vettel through, and the only reason he didn’t push him any further onto the grass was the fact it would have almost definitely caused an accident. But it surprised me that Vettel, with two wheels on the grass at over 300kphh, didn’t even think about lifting, and then managed to out-brake Fernando into the chicane.
For me, his last two races have cemented him as the driver of the season, and a very worthy double world champion.
Damon Smedley
After Saturday, Vettel firmly established himself in the very top tier of drivers over a single lap in the sport’s history. He didn’t get a brilliant start – but that’s literally the one single thing he can be criticised for. His move on Alonso was sheer brilliance as well.
Special mentions for Alonso, Jaime Alguersuari and Button too. Alguersuari’s race was very impressive once again, but he should’ve been higher up on the grid after Saturday so he can’t really get my vote for ‘driver of the weekend’.
It’s all about Vettel. The kid’s making it look easy. Two world championships in no time at all. It’s frightening.
Magnificent Geoffrey
Michael Schumacher
Schumacher had a good start to the race and then fought a long and entertaining battle with Lewis Hamilton. He evoked controversy with his defending moves, but also gained many votes:
Schumacher’s drive was incredible. Yes, he was faster on the straights, but to keep Hamilton behind for so long was really impressive.
The old Schumacher (both good and bad) is back this year. I’ve never been a fan before, but all I can say is bring on 2012!
Lin1876
Jenson Button
Button overtook Hamilton and Schumacher with great moves in a single lap to catch Alonso and get third podium finish in a row.
I voted for Button. His overtakes are just perfectly smooth. Just like his driving. I really enjoy watching his moves as they are almost always very clean.
Toxic
[…] Voted Button on his spectacular move on Schumacher and then his equally impressive move on Alonso.
modtl
2011 Driver of the Weekend results so far
| First | Second | Third | |
| Australia | Sergio Perez (36.3%) | Vitaly Petrov (32.5%) | Sebastian Vettel (12.0%) |
| Malaysia | Nick Heidfeld (38.4%) | Sebastian Vettel (16.0%) | Jenson Button (12.1%) |
| China | Mark Webber (47.8%) | Lewis Hamilton (42.4%) | Felipe Massa (2.5%) |
| Turkey | Fernando Alonso (37.8%) | Kamui Kobayashi (25.8%) | Sebastian Vettel (22.1%) |
| Spain | Lewis Hamilton (39.6%) | Sebastian Vettel (23.9%) | Fernando Alonso (13.3%) |
| Monaco | Jenson Button (33.1%) | Fernando Alonso (18.8%) | Sebastian Vettel (17.0%) |
| Canada | Jenson Button (61.0%) | Michael Schumacher (27.8%) | Sebastian Vettel (2.2%) |
| Europe | Fernando Alonso (32.6%) | Sebastian Vettel (27.6%) | Jaime Alguersuari (25.7%) |
| Britain | Fernando Alonso (53.0%) | Lewis Hamilton (22.3%) | Mark Webber (8.0%) |
| Germany | Lewis Hamilton (76.6%) | Adrian Sutil (9.8%) | Fernando Alonso (5.6%) |
| Hungary | Jenson Button (50.7%) | Paul di Resta (14.4%) | Lewis Hamilton (11.8%) |
| Belgium | Michael Schumacher (45.1%) | Jenson Button (28.2%) | Sebastian Vettel (14.7%) |
| Italy | Sebastian Vettel (38.2%) | Michael Schumacher (29.6%) | Jenson Button (18.2%) |
The results mean that Vettel has won the poll for the very first time this season and for the first time since last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
Yet, he has appeared most frequently in the top three of the poll – this is the ninth time this year he is there.
Vettel, Schumacher and Button were chosen top three drivers for the second consecutive race. It is also the third time this season, they have appeared in the top three together – each time in a different order.
Button was in the top three for the third time in a row.
The voting is still open for your choice of Driver of the Weekend for the Singapore Grand Prix. Cast your vote and add a comment here:
2011 Italian Grand Prix
Image © Red Bull/Getty images
BasCB (@bascb)
29th September 2011, 15:47
Yes, I think the voting really got a fair result for great drives in Monza. Those 3 all stood out, with Vettel on top.
Joey-Poey (@joey-poey)
29th September 2011, 16:16
Looking back… Button has quite a few appearances in the DotW top three. 6 as of Monza and looking very likely for a 7th at Singapore. I get the feeling he’s been winning over more and more people (possibly former critics?) this year.
apeman (@apeman)
30th September 2011, 9:08
It may be that he’s proven that he indeed does have the ‘raw speed’ and doesn’t just depend on being smooth. He’s been setting some impressive times this season.
91jb12 (@91jb12)
29th September 2011, 16:21
About time he won driver of the weekend.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
30th September 2011, 7:39
Too true.
AA
29th September 2011, 16:27
Meh. He’s still only ever won from the front row. Everyone’s going on about his move on Alonso – great move though it was, it was also totally unneccesary, he’d have looked a fool if he had stuffed it, and it was only a matter of time before he was past anyway. At least this shows his weakness; he’s worried about not being percieved a racer. I’m sure his competitors have taken note.
MGriffin90 (@mgriffin90)
29th September 2011, 16:32
He won the 2010 Malaysian GP from third, so you’re wrong.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
29th September 2011, 16:35
No, he passed a car to win a race and you’re desperately trying to put the most negative spin on it you can.
AA
29th September 2011, 16:50
Wow, it’s got pretty clicky and negative here since I last visited. It was better when you did it part time.
@MGriffin90 I stand corrected.
aka_robyn (@)
29th September 2011, 16:58
Hmm, interesting interpretation of who’s being “negative” in this post about Vettel being named Driver of the Weekend.
TommyB (@tommyb89)
30th September 2011, 23:07
But he didn’t so why mention it?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
29th September 2011, 17:01
The only negative comment on this thread so far is the one from you.
RumFRESH (@rumfresh)
29th September 2011, 22:23
Have some respect buddy
Fixy (@)
30th September 2011, 17:18
So in your opinion you can insult and belittle someone in a positive place? Are we negative because we proved your comment was wrong and completely biased? I don’t think so.
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
29th September 2011, 17:13
You do realise he drove a Toro Rosso in 2007 and 2008, right? His more impressive drives there, were 4th from 17th at Shanghai in ’07 and 5th from 17th at Monaco in ’08. He must have actually done some racing to get to there.
Then you have to look at 2010. Silverstone. He went from 24th and almost lapped all the way up to 7th.
2011: Winning at Spain after overtaking 2 cars in 3 corners, and Rosberg shortly after. He actually had to RACE to win. Same again at Italy.
Joey-Poey (@joey-poey)
29th September 2011, 17:55
Everyone looks pretty silly when they botch a pass. That’s kind of a given. I’m not a Vettel fan and even I acknowledge it as a great move. Italy was the first time I voted him as DotW and I think you’re really clutching at straws to find reasons not to.
Hotbottoms (@hotbottoms)
29th September 2011, 18:13
Vettel’s been outside front row only once this season, so it’s not like he’s had many chances to win from any other place than front row.
As Massa would say, good job critizing Vettel at the same for not being able to get past cars in front of him and for overtaking Alonso
lewymp4 (@lewymp4)
29th September 2011, 18:51
Sort of agree, but that still was a gutsy move!
big alex
29th September 2011, 17:23
Unstoppable.
UKfanatic (@)
29th September 2011, 23:32
He may not win all F1fanatics polls but without any doubts he is the driver of the season personally i dont vote Vettel because he doenst surprise me.
TED BELL
30th September 2011, 0:51
I have witnessed thrity five years of Grand Prix drivers and I now believe that Vettle has become one of the greatest drivers I have ever seen.
History shows us that better drivers become the best drivers when the entire package comes together. So can it be said that REDBULL as a team is the reason for his success or is it Vettle who by his own nature is taking the REDBULL chassis into a zone where no one can touch him? Or is it the Newey who has designed a car that is at another level above the competition thus making Vettle seem better than the rest?
When you win the World Championship it is because of having a complete package where all the parts to the puzzle have been solved. Good drivers become better drivers and the truly great drivers evolve into a level where their performance continues from race to race.
This what we are seeing from Vettle. He continues to rise above everybody and so far has really taken advantage of what the REDBULL can offer. Even his own team mate , although good, simply can’t get the job done even in almost the same equipment.
So we are witnessing a special moment in Formula One. A moment that appears with no end in sight and should go on for another 25 races or more. That kind of dominace is what makes Vettle a great driver, dare I say the greatest of this generation and he is still a young man.
He is by far the absolute best driver bar none. Not since Schumacher or possibly Alonso have we seen anything like this.
World Drivers Champion 2010, 2011 and 2012. His dominance should continue next year and for that reason I predict another title for Vettle and REDBULL.
Is there any reason to think something will change this??
Squib
30th September 2011, 5:52
Brilliant comment Ted
raymondu999 (@raymondu999)
30th September 2011, 11:47
Comment of the day. If only you didn’t misspell “Vettel…” :P
TED BELL
30th September 2011, 16:32
How embarassing….sorry Seb.
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
2nd October 2011, 6:05
Logic says no. Hopeless optimism says yes, McLaren and Ferrari will be better next year! :P
NJB
2nd October 2011, 13:34
Sorry but in spite of all the tributes to Vettel I still think he is massively overrated and flattered by being the de fact no1 driver in a team which has a dominant car.
At least when Schumacher was dominating you knew that he was by and large the best driver in the field so in spite of his car advantage you could come to terms with the result.
The travesty of Vettel’s domination is that truly great drivers like Alonso and Hamilton won’t win as many WDCs as they deserve thanks to the RB6, 7 (and no doubt RB8 and RB9..)
Seeing Vettel cruise away to victory every week leaves me cold and frankly devalues F1.
David-A (@david-a)
2nd October 2011, 16:13
If Red Bull hire an immensely talented driver, and build the best car, it’s up to the other teams and drivers to up their game. There’s no travesty here.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
30th September 2011, 7:38
Vettel’s appearance on this seasons Rate the Race polls proves exactly what his season is about; consistency.
Casanova (@casanova)
30th September 2011, 11:20
Vettel, Button, Schumacher – top three drivers at Montreal, Spa and Monza, possibly my top three circuits. Goes to show that those three circuits really sort the great drivers from the merely good.
Robbie (@robbie)
30th September 2011, 16:59
Still can’t reply directly to other posters and don’t know why, but anyway…TED BELL…to answer your question, imho, no there is no reason to think at this point that something will change the SV/Red Bull WDC fight in 2012…other than of course the chance that Mac, Ferrari, or Merc comes out with a leap in performance with their 2012 effort that brings the fight to SV for every race starting from race one such that SV is put under much more pressure. Perhaps it will take another ‘double diffuser-like’ homerun or some other extreme thing that some teams think is illegal only for it to be given the ok by the FIA after which other teams have to play catchup.
The rules are staying fairly stable from what I gather, so at least the Red Bulls should not be as dominant one would think, but then again with Newey I wouldn’t bet against them at this point.
TED BELL
30th September 2011, 17:20
All teams hope that their next generation car will bring some kind of refreshing performance. Didn’t we hear the same thing at the start of this season??
For a sport that is so secretive, especially in the off season I find it interesting how similar each car is at the start of the season.
REDBULL certainly won’t sit back and should raise the bar again. This seems to be their nature. I would love to see Mac, Ferrari and Merc become even more competitive.
Again somebody has to roll the dice on something different and innovative. The next logical time period where this kind of change will come when the cars go to the new turbo era. By then more rgulations should come into play and I think that generation of car will become interesting.
Alfie not logged in
1st October 2011, 3:51
Australia must be the only time a driver who was disqualified got DotW (unless you were doing these at 2008 Belgium..?)