Crack out the champagne! It's the Top Gear F1 Awards 2015

Nico Rosberg won a third consecutive grand prix for the first time in his career in Abu Dhabi, comfortably beating world champion Lewis Hamilton to continue his newly discovered form.

The run counts for little, arriving off the back of Hamilton’s title win in Austin, although it will give the German renewed hope of challenging again next season.

Like many he will be looking ahead rather than behind at the season gone by, with the continuation of Mercedes dominance making for an underwhelming year in which entertainment has been hard to come by.

Bosses are aware that changes need to be made to make the sport more competitive, although as things stand only Ferrari are in a position to challenge the status quo as winter testing approaches.

Having said that there have been highlights along the way, and inevitable dramas which would look right at home in any classic year in the sport’s history.

So what better way to celebrate those moments than by rolling out our imaginary red carpet?

Welcome to the Top Gear F1 Awards 2015...

The prize that recognizes the most exciting and entertaining race of the year. The nominees are:

The British Grand Prix

Pulsating from the word ‘go’ as Williams drivers Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa jumped the Mercs at the start before maintaining their lead for the first stint. Rain in the latter part of the race shook up the running order as Lewis Hamilton fought his way back into the lead to claim his third Silverstone crown.

The Hungarian Grand Prix

An emotional race which – being the first event after the death of Ferrari prodigy Jules Bianchi – was aptly won by Sebastian Vettel. Mercedes endured a torrid time while Nico Hulkenberg’s spectacular crash towards the end forced the Safety Car to close up the grid for a grandstand finish.

The United States Grand Prix

A dazzling race which saw the world championship concluded in the aftermath of a hurricane. The adverse weather forced qualifying to take place hours before lights out on Sunday, with the wet conditions allowing Red Bull to compete for the lead until the track dried out at half distance. Things ended dramatically as an error from Nico Rosberg gifted the title to his teammate.

The race of the season in 2015: unmatched for drama and surprise results, as Red Bull got on the podium ahead of Max Verstappen and – somehow – Fernando Alonso’s McLaren. Epic.

On the other side of the coin, this is the award for the season’s most tedious, uneventful, sorry excuse of a race where the only highlight was the chequered flag that brought it all to an end. The nominees are:

The Spanish Grand Prix

The site where Rosberg collected his first win of the season, but by heck it was dull. With most of the action taking place in the pit lane, the teams tried to get the upper hand using strategy for fear of ruining their tyres. So we’re told anyway. We fell asleep.

The Canadian Grand Prix

Ironically played host to perhaps the greatest Formula One race ever when Jenson Button came back from stone dead last to win in 2011. This year Lewis Hamilton won at a canter in a grand prix dominated by the phrase ‘lift and coast’. Yawn.

The Brazilian Grand Prix

A total let-down having played host to countless exciting races in the past. Track temperatures meant degradation was a threat in Interlagos, forcing drivers to tip-toe around in order to avoid burning rubber, exacerbating the lack of wheel-to-wheel racing.

Almost offensively bad for its absence of drama and entertainment. TV producers instead focused on the team’s struggles to manage brake temperatures, and the audience did not react well. Which was hardly a surprise...

This award is given to the driver who performed the best overtaking manoeuvre of the season. The nominees are:

Max Verstappen on Pastor Maldonado, Monaco Grand Prix

In his first race at Monte Carlo, the young Dutchman displayed all the guts of a driver several years his senior with a range of inventive overtaking moves. The bravest was down the inside of Turn 1, where he squeezed out Pastor Maldonado with millimetre precision.

Max Verstappen on Felipe Nasr, Belgian Grand Prix

No one overtakes at Blanchimont. No one. Unless you’re a teenager with limited experience and no driving license. But that’s exactly what Verstappen did, stunning everyone by pulling alongside the Sauber through the famous high-speed corner before completing the move into the final chicane.

Max Verstappen on Sergio Perez, Brazilian Grand Prix

Another race, another worldie. Max achieved something no other driver managed this season by making a DRS overtake interesting, diving down the outside of the rival Force India under braking into the first corner. Somehow he held his nerve and inched ahead through the ‘Senna S’, with only the faintest of touches between the two cars.

Surprised? Not as surprised as we were when the 18-year-old (then a whole birthday younger) pulled out of the slipstream entering a 185mph corner. Staggeringly brave and wonderfully executed. And three cheers to Felipe Nasr for his fair and respectful racing.

In honour the best contribution heard over the team throughout the course of the season. Your nominees are:

Kimi Raikkonen at the Spanish Grand Prix

During a practice session in the build-up to the race, the 2007 champion suddenly got very bored: “Do you really want to keep going? I’m doing laps and laps because this is... I get absolutely nothing out of this, we’re just wasting laps on the engine. I’ll do it if you want but...”

Fernando Alonso at the Canadian Grand Prix

McLaren race engineer Mark Temple told Alonso that he needed to save fuel to get to the end of the grand prix. The response was rather feisty: “I don’t want to. Already I have big problems now. Driving with this, looking like amateurs. So I race and then I concentrate on the fuel.”

Fernando Alonso at the Japanese Grand Prix

Another rant from the Spaniard, and at the worst possible time, too, as Japanese manufacturer Honda aimed for a positive result at its home race: “It feels like GP2! Embarrassing, very embarrassing. GP2 engine. GP2... Argh!”

The first public display of frustration from the two-time world champion, which set the tone for the rest of the season as rumours persisted over the future of both McLaren drivers. Fernando has denied rumours of a sabbatical in 2016, though few can see him staying if Honda don’t up their game. At least he’s won this award, though.

This award acknowledges the barrier or wall that did the best job of containing an accident in 2015. The nominees are:

Sainte Devote, Monaco

Max Verstappen’s run of fine overtakes came to an abrupt end as he clipped the back of Romain Grosjean’s Lotus, breaking his front suspension before clattering into the barrier at Sainte Devote. Luckily the wall held, and the rookie was able to climb out of the car unharmed.

Remus-Schlossgold, Austria

In one of the sport’s most bizarre accidents in recent times, Fernando Alonso found himself beached on top of Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari after the Finn lost traction on the exit of Turn 2 and wiped both cars off the track. The metal barrier took the full force of the collision as the pair screeched to a halt, shielding one lucky photographer in the process.

13-14, Russia

The biggest accident of the season as Carlos Sainz lost control of his Toro Rosso through Turn 13 in Sochi, eventually hitting the Tecpro barrier with a peak force of 46G. Oddly the wall came to a rest on top of the Spaniard’s car, although amazingly the young driver was in good enough health to race the next day.

Exactly how a modern barrier should work, absorbing the force, dissipating the energy and keeping the driver (and the marshals behind it) safe. It will be interesting to see what changes can be made to ensure that modern low-nosed cars don’t wedge themselves underneath at speed like Sainz did in Russia.

Kimi was desperate to collect a third podium of the year having been annihilated by his teammate all season, but the move was never really on. Bottas got revenge for the mistake in Mexico as well, escaping another clash which put Kimi out of the race as the Williams driver went on to claim third.

This award recognises the PR team that has had the toughest time ‘putting a positive spin on things’. The nominees are:

McLaren-Honda

Largely due to Ron Dennis, the Woking outfit have endured months of speculation about the future of their drivers as Honda struggle to develop their engine. First it looked like Jenson Button might retire – something Dennis admitted he should have addressed sooner – and now Fernando Alonso’s future is in doubt (despite him saying it isn’t).

Red Bull-Renault

Barely a week has gone by without the works team or the manufacturer firing verbal shots at the other. The world championship winning pair were on the verge of severing ties a year earlier than planned, although now it looks like the relationship will continue in some form after Red Bull failed to find another engine.

Pirelli

F1’s tyre manufacturers have an impossible job given that their job is to make rubber that doesn’t last very long on purpose, although their cause wasn’t helped by huge blowouts for Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg in Belgium. A fifth ‘Ultrasoft’ compound is on its way for next year, although behind the scenes many drivers would prefer to see Michelin return.

A truly spectacular fall from grace that must have given their PR officers no end of grief all year. The bitter row wasn’t befitting of a partnership that had previously won four consecutive world championships, and snide remarks from the likes of Christian Horner, Dietrich Mateschitz and Cyril Abiteboul were a constant distraction.

This award goes to the individual or group that has made a notable, but as yet unrecognised contribution to a race in the last 12 months. The nominees are:

Lotus’s Pit Crew

Specifically, the front jackman who was knocked clean off his feet as Romain Grosjean failed to stop his car during a pit-stop at the Spanish Grand Prix. The mechanic clung on for dear life before helping the team get the car out again, and Grosjean finished 8^th as the poor bloke nursed his bruises. Top effort.

Red Bull’s Mechanics

Both at the main team and sister outfit Toro Rosso. The Red Bull crew were given the mammoth task of rebuilding Daniil Kvyat’s car after he’d rolled it during qualifying in Japan, somehow getting it ready in time for the race the next day. The Toro Rosso mechanics also worked wonders by repairing Carlos Sainz’s car after the Spaniard’s accident in Russia.

Charlie Whiting

An odd choice you might think, but Charlie Whiting deserves some praise for his efforts this year. In a season dominated by penalties and grid demotions, he and the stewards have had the unenvious task of investigating every drive through, gearbox change and racing incident in a season where unreliability has plagued both mechanical parts and certain drivers. A thankless task.

Personnel in the pit lane are always at risk, with flying tyres, flames and cooked brakes the result of countless injuries over the years. Anyone brave (or mad) enough to do that and be responsible for standing in front of the cars as they come in deserves universal recognition. Unfortunately we can’t give them that, so this will have to do.

This consolation prize goes to the driver whose season failed to live up to expectations. The nominees are:

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull-Renault

The Aussie creamed his four-time world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel after making the step up from Toro Rosso, and must have thought he was in with a shout of the title himself once Red Bull caught up with Mercedes. Except they didn’t. They got worse, and Ricciardo was eventually beaten by Daniil Kvyat in the standings this year. Strewth.

Fernando Alonso, McLaren-Honda

Left Ferrari having given up hope of them ever building him a world championship car, only for them to immediately show signs of doing just that as Sebastian Vettel arrived to replace him. To make matters worse, he joined McLaren-Honda at a time when the engine partner were nowhere near ready to compete at the front, finishing in the points just twice all season.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus-Mercedes

Lotus have been hindered by financial problems all year, meaning the car has suffered from a lack of development. While they have toiled, Force India have thrived and claimed fifth in the constructors’ championship thanks to the heroics of Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg. Grosjean is off to Haas next year in the hope of attracting Ferrari’s attention, although he leaves behind the chance to drive with Renault power again. It’s a big risk.

Who else could it be? For all of his talents, the Spaniard’s timing throughout his career has consistently left him with tools that don’t match his skill as a driver. He is nine points short of being a five-time world champion following various near misses in recent years, and may have to wait a while longer before challenging again. Watching Seb win in 2016 would be crushing.

F1 enjoys brilliant support all over the globe, although the racing doesn’t always deliver: this award recognizes the most dedicated supporters on the calendar. Our top three are:

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico

After a 23-year absence, the Mexican Grand Prix returned to the calendar, and my word, the fans were brilliant. Aided by a superb circuit design which incorporated an old baseball stadium around the final corners, the atmosphere rivalled those of the classics in Europe. The race itself wasn’t up to much, but that didn’t prevent the locals cheering for Force India’s Sergio Perez. Others tracks should take note.

Suzuka, Japan

Japan’s love of motorsport is well founded, and the support at Suzuka was as strong as ever, as thousands turned up to watch Lewis Hamilton take the chequered flag ahead of teammate Nico Rosberg. Prominent this year was the headwear among the fans this year, with countless hats constructed out of front wings, spoilers and scale model F1 cars. Extravagant stuff. We like it.

Circuit of the Americas, The United States

The US Grand Prix is suffering from severe attendance problems, to the extent that the race’s future on the calendar is in doubt. This year’s event took a hammering financially as persistent rain limited action on the track to just one day, but those who did arrive to watch remained staggeringly upbeat given the circumstances. The die-hard spectators were rewarded with one of the best races of the season.

Yes the attendance is suffering, but the fans that did come along were prepared to sit through the rear-end of a hurricane to get a glimpse of F1’s finest. At a time when viewers are being turned off by the direction the sport as taken, F1 can’t afford to shed dedicated followers like these.

This award acknowledges the person or group most maligned by F1’s 85-year-old chief exec. The nominees are:

Nico Rosberg

The German did a joint interview with Bernie before the Monaco Grand Prix, and was forced to sit and listen as he explained that it was better for his business if teammate Lewis Hamilton won the world championship instead. Ecclestone later said midfield battles were getting more TV coverage because Nico wasn’t challenging at the front. Ouch.

Jean Todt

The President of the FIA was compared unfavourably to previous incumbent Max Mosley by Ecclestone in an interview with Eddie Jordan. Bernie said Todt “doesn’t act like Max. Max speaks a lot of languages, [is] super intelligent,” though apparently Jean isn’t thought of in the same vein.

Manor-Marussia

Bernie has had a troubled relationship with Manor-Marussia ever since they entered the sport. The chief exec accepts that the sport needs to address costs, but when asked if he was bothered about the minnows staying in F1, he replied: “Not particularly.”

The German did everything in his power to remain amicable during his interview with Bernie, although it couldn’t have been easy to be told that a man with such influence in the sport was cheering for someone else. Nico responded in the best possible way by winning in Monaco (albeit with a bit of help from Lewis), presumably hitting F1’s shareholders in the pocket at the same time.

A prestigious title, awarded to the driver who pulled off the single best race performance of 2015. The nominees are:

Sergio Perez, 3^rd in the Russian Grand Prix

Incredibly finished on the podium in Sochi after nursing his second set of tyres for over 40 laps in a risky one-stop strategy. Looked to have lost out on the penultimate lap after being passed by Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen, but regained the place as the two Finns collided. A terrific drive.

Romain Grosjean, 3^rd in the Belgian Grand Prix

In a year where Lotus have barely been able to improve their package, Romain Grosjean somehow managed to steal a podium at Spa while Ferrari and Williams faltered. The team’s predicament was highlighted after the race, as their cars faced being impounded at the circuit following legal action from former reserve driver Charles Pic. How you finish third with that happening in the background, we will never know.

Daniil Kvyat, 2^nd in the Hungarian Grand Prix

In a race of chaos, the young Russian drove extremely well to put his Red Bull just one step shy of the top of the podium. Daniel Ricciardo had earlier looked the favourite to challenge for the win, but contact with Nico Rosberg dropped him out of contention. The highlight of the season for a driver who has consistently impressed since leaving Toro Rosso.

A close category where any of the nominees could have been edged out by either of Max Verstappen’s two fourth places, but the Frenchman wins on account of his Lotus being the least advanced among the podium finishers this season. Not only that, but his victory provided a brief reason for the team to celebrate in a season that has been defined by struggles off the track. Chapeau!