[Keith Campbell]

Since we have a break from formula one I thought it would be fun (and kill some time) to make up a F1F DoTW championship table. The rules are simple; 25 points for a win, 18 for second, 15 for third – fourth or lower is about as much use as the prosecution in a German bribery trial. Double points will not be awarded at any round. So here’s how the championship is shaping up over the first 11 races.

In reverse order:

12: In the last of the points scoring positions is Romain Grosjean with a single third place finish to his name. His Lotus hasn’t given him much opportunity to shine this season, but he will be hoping for an improved performance in the second half of the season to work his way up the table.
11: Level with RoGro on 15 points is Jenson Button. He’s been his usual safe pair of hands this season, but he needs more than that to earn the voters’ approval and thus has just the single points score achieved at his home grand prix.
10: After a fairly impressive 11 races it is somewhat surprising to see Nico Hulkenberg sitting in only 10th position. Consistent race performances have not been translated into consistent DoTW podiums with only the one appearance in the season so far – a 2nd place back in Malaysia. Perhaps he should look at his team-mate’s approach to see what it takes to impress the F1F voters….not to mention the front running teams.
9: With a win in the first race it was a promising start to the young McLaren driver’s season, with more than a shade of Lewis Hamilton about it. But since then Kevin Magnussen has not improved his points tally. Perhaps a more competitive car in the second half of the season could see him return to his eye catching opening round performance.
8: The backmarker teams rarely have more than a passing mention in a Grand Prix weekend, but when the opportunity arose to claim the spotlight, Bianchi siezed it with style. A landslide win in Monaco with a year high vote of 60.2% opened his account and sees him lying in 8th place, above several big names who have the benefit of faster cars to help them showcase their talents.
7: Having lead the ‘real’ championship for all but two weeks this season, Nico Rosberg won’t be the least bit bothered that he is languishing down in 7th place on the F1F leaderboard. The consensus seems to be that he is doing enough, without doing anything spectacular. Given that he is working to a different scoring system, it is unlikely his approach will change in the latter half of the season so do not expect him to be a title contender for the DoTW title.
6: After a dream season in 2013, and lets face it, a dream four years, it all had to end sometime for reigning champion Sebastian Vettel. He’s had the Webber’s share of reliability issues, but so far has just one win in Spain, and a third place in Malaysia to show for his efforts this year. His 2014 trophy cabinet will be looking a tad bare for his liking, but he’ll be looking to turn that round over the final eight races on tracks he usually excels at.
5: In a championship where spectacular drives reward more than consistency, Sergio Perez is in his element, scoring DoTW podiums in Bahrain, Canada and Austria. He has yet to stand on the top step this season though, and will be looking to rectify that with his crowd pleasing brand of feisty driving when the championship resumes at Spa.
4: With two wins to his name, strangely it is points scoring consistency which is letting Alonso down this season with only three podiums claimed so far. It seems Alonso earns all the plaudits, but in a case of F1F echoing reality it looks like he is destined to miss out on another championship this year.
3) With three wins to his name, Valtteri Bottas would be leading the championship under Bernie’s medals system. But the DoTW championship is no place for such needless medalling, and with only one other points score to his name he has lacked the consistency required to take the lead in the championship. Still in contention but with work to do to close in on the current championship leader.
2) It has been a breakthrough year for the ever smiling Aussie, Daniel Ricciardo. With seven podium appearances from 11 races, he has caught the attention of the voters more often than not, and is deservedly sitting 2nd in the championship having exceeded all pre-season expectations. He is just one race win away from joining the championship leader at the top of the table.
1) Leading the championship in a table he no doubt wishes was real, is the ever combative, perpetually unfortunate, eternally divisive, Lewis Hamilton. Two wins – from a dominant weekend in Malaysia, and an epic duel with his team-mate in Bahrain, kick-started his campaign. But more significant for his championship lead has been his consistency, with five runner up places constituting the bulk of his points tally. If qualifying goes to plan in the second half of the season he may have less opportunity to show his wheel to wheel driving skills, but a tight battle with his team-mate should ensure the cameras stay focussed on the Mercedes duel for more fan pleasing track action. With a healthy 25 point lead, you’d have to be brave to bet against him going on to claim the title.

Driver of the Weekend Championship Table

1) HAM – 140
2) RIC – 115
3) BOT – 93
4) ALO – 68
5) PER – 48
6) VET – 40
7) ROS – 36
8) BIA – 25
9) MAG – 25
10) HUL – 18
11) BUT – 15
12) GRO – 15

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