F1 Hub Season Review

So, everyone does a season review, but we thought we'd still make our own take and see what you think of our personal answers and see if you agree. Enjoy!

1. Race of the year
Nick: So many contenders, Malaysia, unexpectedly Valencia & Abu Dhabi, or the finale in Brazil. Definitely not the boring Vettel four wins a row. Brazil was a thrilling end to a dramatic season and perfectly not knowing the title winner till the last few laps. I'm looking forward to re-watching the craziness of Malaysia more though!
Andy: 

Early season races are often forgotten, but 2012 had seven different winners in seven races, including Malaysia which in the unique weather conditions and stand out drives from Perez and Alonso creating an early season buzz

2. Driver of the year
Nick: Hamilton has been great and without unreliability would have been in the title hunt, a highlight for me being a superb comeback win in Canada despite setbacks and a doubted strategy call, but Alonso has been superb from start to finish, and desperately unlucky to not claim the world title. He gets my vote.
Andy:



3. Disappointment of the year
Nick: I considered Mercedes’ flop in form but, whilst Brazil was a fantastic race in so many ways, the battle between Hulkenberg and Hamilton was ended too prematurely – I would have loved to have seen the great wheel to wheel action for longer. If they are both in top grid cars in the coming years, they will bring out the best in each other.
Andy:

Hulkenberg and Hamilton collide after an intense battle which was cut short due to Hulkenberg over-shooting his braking in the damp conditions 

4. Most improved team/driver of the year
Nick: Team – Lotus. They were unlucky to finish fourth not third but deserved to overhaul Mercedes in fifth by a margin. If Grosjean or his replacement doesn’t crash half the races, they can progress even further. Driver - A much closer call between Perez, Hulkenberg and Rosberg, but Massa improved dramatically towards the end of the season beating Alonso on pace often. I hope he can start with this pace next year.
Andy:


5. Quote of the year
Nick: Was tempted by ‘you know when you’ve been KK’ed’ – Martin Brundle when Kobayashi overtook Button in Barcelona unexpectedly as well as Perez’ criticism of Maldonado’s overtaking ‘skills’; but Raikkonen’s infamous telling off of his race engineer was worthy of a t-shirt.
Andy:


6. US grand prix verdict
Nick: The Circuit of Americas threw up a superb race, and it was great to be back in The States. The circuit is great to look at and for the drivers to race on. We had plenty of overtaking, and a massive battle for the lead lasting the entire grand prix. No boring Vettel into the distance here.
Andy:


7. Rivalry of the year
Nick: Grosjean & crash side-kicks vs the entire field?
Andy:


8. Overtake of the year
Nick: Vettel overtaking Vergne in Brazil allegedly illegally has clearly been a talking point, almost costing him the championship, but a superbly entertaining overtake came from Nico Hulkenberg in Korea through the technical twists and turns overtaking two cards impressively including Hamilton. Told you, these two bring out some great action! 
Andy:

Swooping Round The Outside Taking The Inside Line For The Next Twisty Section

9. What do you think of Lewis’s move to Mercedes
Nick: I personally was disappointed both as a fan of British drivers and teams, but generally because of the sporting relationship between the two. Nevertheless, it really will be interesting to see how he performs whatever Mercedes produces. A true test of character and driver skill.
Andy: 


10. What to look forward to next season 
Nick: Hamilton vs Rosberg, savouring the last year of V8 engines, and whether the excitement of 2012 can be lived up to, or will go back to the dull 2011 dominance?
Andy:



Thank you to those who have read our blogs and race reports so far, we hope you have found us unique and fresh. Our website is currently being developed by F1 Hub's Paul, who is doing a great job, we can't wait to go live!

We will still write some blogs before the new season when the site will go live, so keep checking back with us for stories and talking points.

Nick, Andy & Paul - F1 Hub