We’ve had the official awards, dished out the main trophies, and had our own proper reflections on an enthralling 2018 Formula 1 campaign. But let’s take a slightly alternative look back on the campaign, tongue firmly ensconced within cheek, so to speak…
Unexpected saga of the Year
That surrounded McLaren, then Racing Director Eric Boullier, and the report in the Daily Mail that staff had been rewarded with Freddo chocolate bars for hard work. That prompted separate discussion threads as British journalists lamented the price of Freddos, and non-British journalists tried to understand why such a topic was debated with such intensity. It also resulted in one of the most toxic press conferences of the year as Boullier defended himself and McLaren, and swatted aside suggestions that he should resign. Two weeks later he resigned.
Worst Haircut of the Year
Dodgy haircuts have become the preserve of world leaders of late but Sebastian Vettel joined the group with his bizarre trim that first appeared in Australia, and showed up at other events. He then raised the bar – nudge nudge, wink wink – with the facial fuzz that appeared at the FIA Gala.
We Told You So of the Year
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Everyone knew traffic would be a nightmare at Paul Ricard. Everyone raised an eyebrow when event organisers asserted they had plans in place. That turned out well.
Surprise weather of the Year (Pt I)
Winter testing is called thus, and the forecast had been grim, and yet it was still a shock to open the curtains on day three of testing to see Catalonia covered in snow – and not merely a dusting. Running was delayed for three hours, Mercedes made a celebrity out of a snowman, and everyone went home early.
Crash of the Year
Some strong contenders in this category. Valtteri Bottas got the ball rolling early in Australia, Vettel’s Germany exit was massive in the title battle, while Nico Hulkenberg’s sucker-punch in Belgium spectacularly propelled Fernando Alonso into and over Charles Leclerc. Brendon Hartley also had a handful of entries too. But they get edged by Marcus Ericsson’s aerial acrobatics during practice at Monza. And that he could walk away with his main thought being ‘how did that happen’ and not ‘oh this part of my body really should not be at that angle’ is a testament to the modern safety standards and relentless work undertaken by the FIA, its safety department, and its affiliates.
‘Thing you never thought you’d say’ of the Year
“Don’t last year’s cars, without the halo, now look a bit weird?”
Music of the Year (Pt I)
January: “F1 doesn’t need a theme song. What a silly idea. Who on earth is going to listen to that? This is just another example of focusing on the wrong things.” March: “Well, it’s okay. Kind of catchy. It’s tolerable, at least”. May: “BAAA BAAA BA-BA-BA BA BAA BAA BAAAAAA.”
Banter of the Year
Pierre Gasly had already built a reputation as a bit of a joker but to have the presence of mind to quip “now we can fight” after finishing fourth in Bahrain, a race after Alonso had used the exact same quote (in a less-than-subtle Honda dig) as he crossed the line in Australia, was nothing short of majestic. Bravo.
Misplaced Optimism of the Year
Claire Williams, who nobly and optimistically told ESPN that “we can’t finish lower than P5 this year.” Well…
Trophy of the Year
France’s gorillas. Nope. No clue. But it’s better than a plate.
Thing of the Year
Jet pack man! He noisily appeared on Thursday at Paul Ricard and attracted the attention of pretty much everyone. After all, here was a man with a jet pack hovering 20-30ft in the air. And due to French regulations he actually had to take off and land from the nearby airstrip and travel to the track each time… he then re-appeared as part of the pre-race presentation in Austria.
Story of the Year
As journalists any story that comes as a genuine shock is always welcomed, as most manoeuvres and decisions are pre-signalled or widely known. Daniel Ricciardo’s switch to Renault was a proper bombshell. Yes, he had been in talks with Renault, and had proposed a change of environment, but when the paddock left the Budapest test it was a case of when a new Red Bull deal would be announced, not if. Less than three days later he had been announced by Renault. It was a proper earthquake that shook up the driver market and meant the summer break barely existed.
Surprise Weather of the Year (Pt II)
It seemed a running joke that wet weather was prominent on Fridays, Saturdays or about 10 minutes after the chequered flag. Few would have expected that the race to feature the second-most amount of wet stuff (after Germany’s race-defining shower) was… Abu Dhabi.
Overtake You’ve Forgotten of the Year
Sebastian Vettel on Lewis Hamilton in Austria, via the grass. For a driver sometimes maligned for questionable racecraft it was superb.
Moment of the Year
It wasn’t even from any of the 21 Grands Prix. It was Kimi Raikkonen receiving his third-place trophy at the FIA Gala after an evening of, shall we say, substantial beverage consumption. Sebastian Vettel’s reaction, as the sober chap tending to his worse-for-wear friend, was the icing on the cake. It was the kind of behaviour that only Raikkonen could get away with.
Music of the Year (Pt II)
Not strictly music – but definitely sounds. Of course, it would be remiss to have a quirky award without mentioning the chap dubbed ‘Neown Man’, for his additional sound effects during the United States Grand Prix. Neown.
Outfit of the Year
Those glorious Red Bull overalls in Austin. Howdy cowboys.
Quote of the Year
“I’m trippin’ major nutsack.” No prizes for who delivered that gem.
Celebration of the Year
Formula 1 has lagged behind other motorsport divisions in this regard but Ricciardo – who else – wins this one for his majestic swan dive into Red Bull’s swimming pool in the wake of his Monaco success.
