The Phillies: F1 Results

Below are the results of the first annual 'Phillies' for Formula One. These results are of my own opinion. Hopefully in coming years, there will be online voting for it. The Nascar results will be posted next weekend.

For details on each of the awards, see the Award Categories.

Driver of the Year:
Winner: Fernando Alonso
When you look at the drivers occupying the top seats in Formula One, none of them can lay claim to a perfect season. All of them had up's and down's, with some pretty ordinary performances on the way.

The same can't really be said for Fernando Alonso, who throughout the year proved why he is a two-time world champion. He consistently drew the most out of an inferior car and when the opportunity presented itself, took advantage of a situation to score two unlikely victories.

Most Improved Driver of the Year:
Winner: Felipe Massa
Many felt, including myself, that 2007 would be the best chance for Massa to win the title. He was settled in Ferrari and it offered him the best chance to get the jump on Raikkonen. He didn't and the rest his history. Two races into the season and many questioned how long Massa had left in his Ferrari career.

After Bahrain, Massa went from potential career also-ran to championship contender. Gone away was the ability to preform on certain tracks or to win from pole position. Even his wet weather driving improved. He still has a way to go, as the likes of Silverstone showed, but Massa is now a genuine title contender.

Rookie of the Year:
Winner: Timo Glock
An award that could have easily gone to Vettel, except the German ran a large portion of 2007, hence cancelling him out.

It took the GP2 champion a while to get going, especially compared to veteran team-mate Trulli. But, as one result built to another, Glock easily found himself a constant contender for the points. The highlight of the year for the young German was his podium at Hungary. Unfortunately, his name is more associated with wild conspiracy theories about slowing down on the final lap of Brazil to hand the title to Hamilton.

Flop of the Year:
Winner: Kimi Raikkonen
World Champion? At times you would be hard to believe. The Finn spent the majority of races anonymous, barring a few speedy laps. The contract extension announced at Belgium was a complete shock, given the lack of motivation from him. His reputation battered, there is no excuse for a lack of motivation for next year.

Underrated Driver of the Year:
Winner: Sebastien Bourdais
The four-time Champ Car champion endured a difficult season, like many drivers who cross the Atlantic divide. However, by seasons end, Bourdais consistently joined Vettel in the third around of qualifying. The Frenchman endured some rough luck despite the better form. The loss of a podium at Belgium, starter issues in Italy and a unfair penalty at Japan are just a few examples of where the Frenchman's luck abandoned him.

Whether he gets a chance to redeem himself is still up in the air as he vies for a seat at Toro Rosso. Bourdais recently admitted that finances as much as talent could determine if he gets the seat.

Team of the Year:
Winner: McLaren
It could have been so easy for McLaren to blame the Spygate fallout on their ordinary performances at the start of the year. Heck, ITV used it around the Spanish grand prix. The team kept their heads down and plugged away, closing the gap on Ferrari.

Most Improved Team of the Year:
Winner: Toro Rosso
It is hard to believe that this team used to be tail-enders under the Minardi name. The late arrival of the 2008 was the potent weapon that starlet Vettel required to show his raw talent. The team went from straight to straight, qualifying both cars within the top-ten on a number of occasions.

Victory at Monza for Vettel was the first for the Red Bull organisation. The icing on the cake came at the end of the season, with the team beating the sister squad in the constructors standings.

Race of the Year:
Winner: Interlargos, Brazil
Everything we wanted in a season finale and then some. I remember more bad races than good this season, but the final race of the season easily ranks in my top-five of all time. The seven point lead Hamilton enjoyed could easily have made the race a foregone conclusion. While the expected result occurred, we were left on the edge of our seats till the final lap for a Hollywood style finish.

Surprise of the Year:
Winner: Vettel's victory at Monza
With weather afflicted races, we have often seen results that are against the norm. But that doesn't take away from the raw talent on display at the Italian race. At times, he was in a class of his own, bringing back memories of what made Schumacher a wet racing maestro. I look forward to see what the young German can do in the coming years.

Overtaking Move of the Year:
Winner: Massa versus the McLarens at Hungary

As I said above, this was a season that we saw a more well rounded racing craft by the Brazilian. The start of a race is vital at Hungary, as like Monaco, overtaking chances are at a premium. It was a 'balls to the walls' move that unfortunately, didn't count for points at the end of the day due to engine problems.

Controversy of the Year:
Winner: Inconsistent Penalties
Whether you agree or disagree with the calls made, they were a major talking point. Myself, I agree with a number of them. But the main stickler I had was races decided after the chequered flag. Sending people home, not knowing if the guy they saw on the podium is a winner is not how the sport should handle itself. Once every now and then, that is fine and dandy. But the amount of times it occurred this year is unacceptable.

The ‘James Allen’ Award:
Winner: Lewis Hamilton at Montreal
The moment where the most basic of road rules went out the window and allowed BMW and Kubica to pick up their first victory. I still shake my head at the whole thing when I think about it. I still think the whole thing came down to a 'red mist' situation, given that Hamilton lost time with a vastly superior car on the day.

I will definitely miss the Canadian Grand Prix. The North American race often provided us with classic races year after year.