While winning a race is a clear indicator of success, it’s not the only way to stand out in Formula 1. Introduced in 2016, the Formula 1 Driver of the Day award recognises the best performance in each Grand Prix.
This award is special because it’s voted for by fans, who can express their preference for the driver they appreciated the most. The award is announced shortly after the race ends.
Here’s how it works: fans can vote for their favourite driver on the official Formula 1 website or the F1 app. The driver with the most votes is named Driver of the Day. This award doesn’t have a direct impact on the championship standings, but it’s a way for Formula 1 fans to express their enthusiasm for the driver’s effort and performance, recognizing their skills, strategy, or recovery during the race.
For example, a driver who makes a great comeback from the back of the grid or executes brilliant overtakes might win the award. It’s a way for fans to acknowledge and celebrate great driving, regardless of the final race result.
Driver of the Day: Highlights From 2024
Lando Norris has been a fan favourite this season. His stellar performances include a strong second place in the Canadian Grand Prix and a nearly victorious race in Imola, where he narrowly missed beating Max Verstappen. His consistent excellence earned him multiple Driver of the Day titles, including in Miami where he won with a landslide vote of 41.1%.
Charles Leclerc made headlines with his home victory at the Monaco Grand Prix. Leading from start to finish, Leclerc finally achieved his dream win in Monte Carlo, which was a significant moment for both him and Ferrari. His performance earned him the Driver of the Day with 32.4% of the votes.
Carlos Sainz impressed fans at the Australian Grand Prix. After missing a race due to illness, Sainz came back, overtaking Verstappen early on and maintaining his lead to win. His great return earned him 38.4% of the fan votes for Driver of the Day.
All Winners of 2024
GRAND PRIX DU CANADA
- Driver of the Day: Lando Norris – 24.7%
- Other Contenders: Max Verstappen (11.8%), Lewis Hamilton (9.5%), George Russell (9%), Oscar Piastri (6.6%)
GRAND PRIX DE MONACO
- Driver of the Day: Charles Leclerc – 32.4%
- Other Contenders: Zhou Guanyu (12.4%), Oscar Piastri (7.9%), Carlos Sainz (6.4%), Lando Norris (4.7%)
GRAN PREMIO DEL MADE IN ITALY E DELL’EMILIA-ROMAGNA
- Driver of the Day: Lando Norris – 31.4%
- Other Contenders: Charles Leclerc (11.3%), Oscar Piastri (9%), Max Verstappen (8.6%), Yuki Tsunoda (6.5%)
MIAMI GRAND PRIX
- Driver of the Day: Lando Norris – 41.1%
- Other Contenders: Valtteri Bottas (14.6%), Oscar Piastri (8.5%), Lewis Hamilton (5.9%), Charles Leclerc (4.6%)
CHINESE GRAND PRIX
- Driver of the Day: Lando Norris – 26.4%
- Other Contenders: Lewis Hamilton (13.9%), Fernando Alonso (13.6%), Charles Leclerc (9%), Max Verstappen (6.3%)
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
- Driver of the Day: Charles Leclerc – 23.8%
- Other Contenders: Yuki Tsunoda (17.7%), Carlos Sainz (14.6%), Sergio Perez (8.3%), Lando Norris (8%)
AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
- Driver of the Day: Carlos Sainz – 38.4%
- Other Contenders: Lando Norris (11.6%), Oscar Piastri (10.2%), Charles Leclerc (8.7%), Max Verstappen (5.5%)
SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX
- Driver of the Day: Oliver Bearman – 48.3%
- Other Contenders: Lewis Hamilton (7.3%), Kevin Magnussen (6.7%), Sergio Perez (5.9%), Lando Norris (5.2%)
BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
- Driver of the Day: Carlos Sainz – 31.4%
- Other Contenders: Max Verstappen (13.3%), Sergio Perez (11.4%), Charles Leclerc (8%), Lando Norris (5.2%)