The F1 2014 season had more twists and turns than the Marina Bay Street Circuit, with some fantastic highs and incredibly sad lows.
Who did the best job over the course of the year? Here are my driver rankings for 2014, where I share my thoughts on how each driver performed this season.
1. Lewis Hamilton
The British driver is now a two-time world champion, after wrapping up the title at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. He fully deserved it, after an incredible season. The statistics don’t lie, he was by far the best driver, winning 11 races and scoring podiums in the remaining races that he finished.
Hamilton’s fight for the championship was complicated by reliability issues and the impressive pace of his team-mate, but he still managed to emerge at the top of the standings. It has undoubtedly been his best season in F1 to date.
High point: So many to choose from, but his dominant and emotional victory in Abu Dhabi to secure the title was the perfect way to end the year.
Low point: A few possibilities, but retiring in Belgium after contact with Rosberg was probably the most painful.
2. Nico Rosberg
I think it is fair to say that Rosberg surprised many (including myself) by running Hamilton so close for the title. His qualifying form was extremely impressive and he scored 11 pole positions. Unfortunately for him, the top spot in qualifying is not worth any points.
The German made a couple of costly errors and often lacked the extra race pace needed to challenge Hamilton, but put in some faultless and first-class drives during his fourth year at Mercedes. He was extremely gracious in defeat at the Yas Marina Circuit, after a power-unit problem dropped him out of contention for the title, and will be back in 2015 even hungrier to succeed.
High point: Bouncing back from his British Grand Prix retirement to take a controlling victory on home soil at the Hockenheimring.
Low point: Cracking under pressure at Spa and colliding with his team-mate.
3. Daniel Ricciardo
The Australian was one of the stars of the 2014 season, and one of the biggest surprises as well. Very few people could have predicted Ricciardo’s stunning debut campaign at Red Bull Racing, where he thoroughly out-classed his four-time world champion team-mate and took three opportunistic victories when Mercedes hit trouble.
Despite a few problems along the way, including his disqualification from the season opener after his car was found to have exceeded the fuel flow limit, Ricciardo’s beaming smile brightened up the F1 paddock. He will now take on the lead driver role at Red Bull next year.
High point: Moving up the order in Canada to take his maiden F1 victory.
Low point: Losing his first podium in Australia through no fault of his own.
4. Valtteri Bottas
After showing flashes of impressive speed during his tough rookie season, Bottas – alongside Ricciardo – was one of the revelations of 2014. With Williams returning to the front of the field, he registered six podiums and consistently finished in the points, ending the year in fourth overall. The Finn ran the Mercedes duo close on several occasions and proved why he is one to watch for the future.
High point: Recovering from 14th on the grid to second at Silverstone.
Low point: Finishing outside the points in Singapore after power steering and tyre wear issues.
5. Fernando Alonso
The Spaniard dragged the difficult F14 T up the grid, scoring two podiums in China and Hungary and out-pacing his team-mate throughout the year. With the car he was driving, Alonso did very well. However, a late-season slump in form caused him to drop two positions to sixth in the overall standings. Now he looks ahead to a new challenge, after leaving Ferrari.
High point: Second place in challenging conditions at the Hungaroring.
Low point: Retiring at Ferrari’s home race in Monza with an ERS failure.
6. Sebastian Vettel
The German was overshadowed by his less experienced team-mate during the 2014 season, struggling with the Red Bull RB10 and failing to win a race. He finished on the podium four times and enjoyed some brilliant battles, but it was overall an underwhelming campaign. Vettel will be hoping for a better season in 2015 with his new team, Ferrari.
High point: Finishing second in Singapore, ahead of Ricciardo.
Low point: Retiring from a potentially strong result in Monaco.
7. Felipe Massa
The Brazilian was expected to lead Williams’ charge, as the team returned to the front of the grid with the fast Mercedes-powered FW36.
However, his younger team-mate proved to be a very good match. Massa was caught up in several incidents (some his fault and some not), costing him points, but he ended the year with one pole position and three podium finishes, after a more positive second half of the season.
High point: Finishing second, 2.5 seconds down on the race winner, in Abu Dhabi.
Low point: Crashing out of a potential podium following contact on the last lap in Canada.
8. Jenson Button
The British driver expected more from the MP4-29, but it was only a midfield car at best. A podium, following Ricciardo’s disqualification, in Australia flattered McLaren’s pace, but the 2009 world champion put in some strong drives – particularly towards the end of the season – and proved that he has still got it. We continue to wait for an announcement on his future.
High point: Coming close to his first Silverstone podium, finishing fourth.
Low point: Going backwards in Austin, finishing 12th
9. Nico Hulkenberg
The German driver enjoyed a positive season, following his return to Force India after a short stint at Sauber. The first half of the year proved to be encouraging, with 10 consecutive points finishes. However, the team’s performance trailed off towards the end of the year and a few uncharacteristic errors saw Hulkenberg fall to ninth in the championship, still without his first F1 podium.
High point: A strong drive to fifth in Malaysia.
Low point: Colliding with his team-mate and retiring in Hungary.
10. Jules Bianchi
The Frenchman’s impressive form continued into his second season at Marussia. The first half of the year was extremely encouraging, making it to Q2 on several occasions and putting in a brave and bold drive in Monaco to finish ninth, scoring the team’s first ever points.
However, his year ended with an awful crash in Japan, sustaining severe head injuries. My thoughts, as well as those of the entire F1 community, continue to be with Bianchi and his family. #ForzaJules
High point: First points in Monaco.
Low point: His horrendous crash at Suzuka.
11. Kevin Magnussen
His rookie season started strongly with an impressive drive to second place in Australia (thanks to Ricciardo’s disqualification), but the Danish driver only managed to finish in the top five on one other occasion. He often showed good speed in qualifying, but failed to match his team-mate Button for race pace, struggling more with the difficult MP4-29. It was a decent first year, but K-Mag still has plenty to prove.
High point: Second in Australia.
Low point: Crash in qualifying at the Hungaroring, which forced him to start from the pit lane.
12. Sergio Perez
The Mexican enjoyed a decent but unspectacular first season at Force India and settled in well at the team. Hulkenberg was the faster of the two in the first half of the year, but Perez bounced back with a more positive final nine races. He also scored Force India’s second ever podium after a great drive in Bahrain and seventh at the final round in Abu Dhabi helped him sneak into the top 10 in the standings.
High point: Third place in Bahrain.
Low point: Crashing out of a potential podium in Canada.
13. Kimi Raikkonen
The Finn suffered an underwhelming 2014 season on his return to Ferrari. He was out-raced by Alonso throughout and despite scoring points on 13 occasions; he failed to finish on the podium and ended the year down in 12th place in the drivers’ standings. Raikkonen struggled more with the F14 T and will be hoping the team’s 2015 car will be more suited to his style.
High point: Fourth in Belgium, his only top five result.
Low point: Losing what could have been a podium finish in Monaco due to a puncture.
14. Jean-Eric Vergne
The Frenchman scored almost three times as many points as his rookie team-mate, but it wasn’t enough for him to be promoted to Red Bull Racing or retain his Toro Rosso seat. He struggled more in qualifying – something that has been the case throughout his F1 career – but put in a few impressive drives on Sunday, including finishing sixth in Singapore.
High point: His only top six finish of the season at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Low point: Retiring in Monaco after starting seventh.
15. Daniil Kvyat
It was overall a good first year in F1 for Kvyat. He put in some strong drives in below-par machinery and several stunning qualifying laps.
However, he would often drop back on race day and suffered a disappointing second half of the season. Despite this, Red Bull Racing announced the Russian as Vettel’s replacement for 2015 in October.
High point: Being announced as a 2015 Red Bull driver.
Low point: Finishing 14th on home soil in Russia after qualifying fifth.
16. Romain Grosjean
It was a difficult year for the French driver, but he showed impressive maturity and led the Lotus F1 Team’s charge. 2014 was always going to be tough, with financial issues and a late debut for the E22. However, Grosjean finished eighth on two occasions and showed his talent despite often racing near the back of the pack. With Mercedes power-units for 2015, he will be praying for a more positive season.
High point: Qualifying fifth in Spain, before scoring his first points of 2014 with eighth place.
Low point: DNF in Brazil after running in the top 10.
17. Esteban Gutierrez
Sauber’s 2014 season was disastrous, with not a single point scored. The C33 was extremely difficult to master, with both drivers having little confidence in the car. It also proved to be extremely unreliable, making it difficult for Gutierrez to show his potential. He was a good match for his team-mate, but a clumsy mistake in Monaco cost the team a potential top seven result.
High point: Running as high as seventh in Monaco…
Low point: …and then crashing out of seventh place in Monaco.
18. Marcus Ericsson
The Swede suffered a tough start to his rookie season. The CT05 was by far the slowest car on the grid and often broke down in the early races, meaning he lost plenty of track time. However, he recovered with a strong second part of the season, regularly out-performing his team-mate before Caterham’s demise. He has now found a new home as one of Sauber’s 2015 drivers.
High point: 11th in Monaco, matching Caterham’s best result.
Low point: Crashing in Hungary.
19. Adrian Sutil
The German’s move to Sauber was badly timed, with the team suffering its worst ever season. The C33 was terrible to drive and Sutil was regularly beaten by his less experienced team-mate. Now he finds himself without a drive in 2015, despite a valid contract for next year with the Swiss outfit.
High point: Scrapping the barrel, Sauber’s only Q3 appearance in Austin.
Low point: Can I just say the whole season? No? Okay, spinning out of the German Grand Prix.
20. Kamui Kobayashi
The Japanese driver will undoubtedly be regretting his departure from a Ferrari WEC drive, after a messy 2014 campaign at Caterham. He had the upper hand over Ericsson at the start of the year, largely thanks to his experience, but struggled more in his final few races with the team.
High point: 13th in Malaysia, finishing ahead of Ericsson and Chilton.
Low point: Failing to start in Singapore due to a reliability issue.
21. Pastor Maldonado
It took the Venezuelan until the 17th round of the season in Texas to score a point, and several on-track incidents failed to improve his reputation. Sure, the E22 was a difficult and unreliable car, but he was out-classed by Grosjean all year. Hopefully we will see a calmer and quicker Maldonado in 2015.
High point: Ninth in the United States Grand Prix.
Low point: Pitching Gutierrez into a barrel-roll in Bahrain.
22. Max Chilton
The British driver suffered another disappointingly average season with Marussia. He did move off the back row of the grid and his form in the first part of the year was more encouraging, but he still did little to prove that he deserves to be in F1 long-term.
High point: 13th place in Bahrain.
Low point: Taking his team-mate out in Canada on lap one.
Note: I did not include Andre Lotterer and Will Stevens in my end-of-season performance grid, as both drivers only competed in one race each.
Do you agree or disagree? Let me know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
Part one of my F1 2014 season review: http://bit.ly/1HZ4Mnw
Part two of my F1 2014 season review: http://bit.ly/1zuMmFp
The F1 2014 season in statistics: http://bit.ly/1pikRhI
The season in pictures: http://bit.ly/1yH4ygI
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| © Octane Photographic |
1. Lewis Hamilton
The British driver is now a two-time world champion, after wrapping up the title at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. He fully deserved it, after an incredible season. The statistics don’t lie, he was by far the best driver, winning 11 races and scoring podiums in the remaining races that he finished.
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| © Octane Photographic |
Hamilton’s fight for the championship was complicated by reliability issues and the impressive pace of his team-mate, but he still managed to emerge at the top of the standings. It has undoubtedly been his best season in F1 to date.
High point: So many to choose from, but his dominant and emotional victory in Abu Dhabi to secure the title was the perfect way to end the year.
Low point: A few possibilities, but retiring in Belgium after contact with Rosberg was probably the most painful.
2. Nico Rosberg
I think it is fair to say that Rosberg surprised many (including myself) by running Hamilton so close for the title. His qualifying form was extremely impressive and he scored 11 pole positions. Unfortunately for him, the top spot in qualifying is not worth any points.
The German made a couple of costly errors and often lacked the extra race pace needed to challenge Hamilton, but put in some faultless and first-class drives during his fourth year at Mercedes. He was extremely gracious in defeat at the Yas Marina Circuit, after a power-unit problem dropped him out of contention for the title, and will be back in 2015 even hungrier to succeed.
High point: Bouncing back from his British Grand Prix retirement to take a controlling victory on home soil at the Hockenheimring.
Low point: Cracking under pressure at Spa and colliding with his team-mate.
3. Daniel Ricciardo
The Australian was one of the stars of the 2014 season, and one of the biggest surprises as well. Very few people could have predicted Ricciardo’s stunning debut campaign at Red Bull Racing, where he thoroughly out-classed his four-time world champion team-mate and took three opportunistic victories when Mercedes hit trouble.
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| © Octane Photographic |
Despite a few problems along the way, including his disqualification from the season opener after his car was found to have exceeded the fuel flow limit, Ricciardo’s beaming smile brightened up the F1 paddock. He will now take on the lead driver role at Red Bull next year.
High point: Moving up the order in Canada to take his maiden F1 victory.
Low point: Losing his first podium in Australia through no fault of his own.
4. Valtteri Bottas
After showing flashes of impressive speed during his tough rookie season, Bottas – alongside Ricciardo – was one of the revelations of 2014. With Williams returning to the front of the field, he registered six podiums and consistently finished in the points, ending the year in fourth overall. The Finn ran the Mercedes duo close on several occasions and proved why he is one to watch for the future.
High point: Recovering from 14th on the grid to second at Silverstone.
Low point: Finishing outside the points in Singapore after power steering and tyre wear issues.
5. Fernando Alonso
The Spaniard dragged the difficult F14 T up the grid, scoring two podiums in China and Hungary and out-pacing his team-mate throughout the year. With the car he was driving, Alonso did very well. However, a late-season slump in form caused him to drop two positions to sixth in the overall standings. Now he looks ahead to a new challenge, after leaving Ferrari.
High point: Second place in challenging conditions at the Hungaroring.
Low point: Retiring at Ferrari’s home race in Monza with an ERS failure.
6. Sebastian Vettel
The German was overshadowed by his less experienced team-mate during the 2014 season, struggling with the Red Bull RB10 and failing to win a race. He finished on the podium four times and enjoyed some brilliant battles, but it was overall an underwhelming campaign. Vettel will be hoping for a better season in 2015 with his new team, Ferrari.
High point: Finishing second in Singapore, ahead of Ricciardo.
Low point: Retiring from a potentially strong result in Monaco.
7. Felipe Massa
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| © Octane Photographic |
The Brazilian was expected to lead Williams’ charge, as the team returned to the front of the grid with the fast Mercedes-powered FW36.
However, his younger team-mate proved to be a very good match. Massa was caught up in several incidents (some his fault and some not), costing him points, but he ended the year with one pole position and three podium finishes, after a more positive second half of the season.
High point: Finishing second, 2.5 seconds down on the race winner, in Abu Dhabi.
Low point: Crashing out of a potential podium following contact on the last lap in Canada.
8. Jenson Button
The British driver expected more from the MP4-29, but it was only a midfield car at best. A podium, following Ricciardo’s disqualification, in Australia flattered McLaren’s pace, but the 2009 world champion put in some strong drives – particularly towards the end of the season – and proved that he has still got it. We continue to wait for an announcement on his future.
High point: Coming close to his first Silverstone podium, finishing fourth.
Low point: Going backwards in Austin, finishing 12th
9. Nico Hulkenberg
The German driver enjoyed a positive season, following his return to Force India after a short stint at Sauber. The first half of the year proved to be encouraging, with 10 consecutive points finishes. However, the team’s performance trailed off towards the end of the year and a few uncharacteristic errors saw Hulkenberg fall to ninth in the championship, still without his first F1 podium.
High point: A strong drive to fifth in Malaysia.
Low point: Colliding with his team-mate and retiring in Hungary.
10. Jules Bianchi
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| © Octane Photographic |
The Frenchman’s impressive form continued into his second season at Marussia. The first half of the year was extremely encouraging, making it to Q2 on several occasions and putting in a brave and bold drive in Monaco to finish ninth, scoring the team’s first ever points.
However, his year ended with an awful crash in Japan, sustaining severe head injuries. My thoughts, as well as those of the entire F1 community, continue to be with Bianchi and his family. #ForzaJules
High point: First points in Monaco.
Low point: His horrendous crash at Suzuka.
11. Kevin Magnussen
His rookie season started strongly with an impressive drive to second place in Australia (thanks to Ricciardo’s disqualification), but the Danish driver only managed to finish in the top five on one other occasion. He often showed good speed in qualifying, but failed to match his team-mate Button for race pace, struggling more with the difficult MP4-29. It was a decent first year, but K-Mag still has plenty to prove.
High point: Second in Australia.
Low point: Crash in qualifying at the Hungaroring, which forced him to start from the pit lane.
12. Sergio Perez
The Mexican enjoyed a decent but unspectacular first season at Force India and settled in well at the team. Hulkenberg was the faster of the two in the first half of the year, but Perez bounced back with a more positive final nine races. He also scored Force India’s second ever podium after a great drive in Bahrain and seventh at the final round in Abu Dhabi helped him sneak into the top 10 in the standings.
High point: Third place in Bahrain.
Low point: Crashing out of a potential podium in Canada.
13. Kimi Raikkonen
The Finn suffered an underwhelming 2014 season on his return to Ferrari. He was out-raced by Alonso throughout and despite scoring points on 13 occasions; he failed to finish on the podium and ended the year down in 12th place in the drivers’ standings. Raikkonen struggled more with the F14 T and will be hoping the team’s 2015 car will be more suited to his style.
High point: Fourth in Belgium, his only top five result.
Low point: Losing what could have been a podium finish in Monaco due to a puncture.
14. Jean-Eric Vergne
The Frenchman scored almost three times as many points as his rookie team-mate, but it wasn’t enough for him to be promoted to Red Bull Racing or retain his Toro Rosso seat. He struggled more in qualifying – something that has been the case throughout his F1 career – but put in a few impressive drives on Sunday, including finishing sixth in Singapore.
High point: His only top six finish of the season at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
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| © Octane Photographic |
Low point: Retiring in Monaco after starting seventh.
15. Daniil Kvyat
It was overall a good first year in F1 for Kvyat. He put in some strong drives in below-par machinery and several stunning qualifying laps.
However, he would often drop back on race day and suffered a disappointing second half of the season. Despite this, Red Bull Racing announced the Russian as Vettel’s replacement for 2015 in October.
High point: Being announced as a 2015 Red Bull driver.
Low point: Finishing 14th on home soil in Russia after qualifying fifth.
16. Romain Grosjean
It was a difficult year for the French driver, but he showed impressive maturity and led the Lotus F1 Team’s charge. 2014 was always going to be tough, with financial issues and a late debut for the E22. However, Grosjean finished eighth on two occasions and showed his talent despite often racing near the back of the pack. With Mercedes power-units for 2015, he will be praying for a more positive season.
High point: Qualifying fifth in Spain, before scoring his first points of 2014 with eighth place.
Low point: DNF in Brazil after running in the top 10.
17. Esteban Gutierrez
Sauber’s 2014 season was disastrous, with not a single point scored. The C33 was extremely difficult to master, with both drivers having little confidence in the car. It also proved to be extremely unreliable, making it difficult for Gutierrez to show his potential. He was a good match for his team-mate, but a clumsy mistake in Monaco cost the team a potential top seven result.
High point: Running as high as seventh in Monaco…
Low point: …and then crashing out of seventh place in Monaco.
18. Marcus Ericsson
The Swede suffered a tough start to his rookie season. The CT05 was by far the slowest car on the grid and often broke down in the early races, meaning he lost plenty of track time. However, he recovered with a strong second part of the season, regularly out-performing his team-mate before Caterham’s demise. He has now found a new home as one of Sauber’s 2015 drivers.
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| © Octane Photographic |
High point: 11th in Monaco, matching Caterham’s best result.
Low point: Crashing in Hungary.
19. Adrian Sutil
The German’s move to Sauber was badly timed, with the team suffering its worst ever season. The C33 was terrible to drive and Sutil was regularly beaten by his less experienced team-mate. Now he finds himself without a drive in 2015, despite a valid contract for next year with the Swiss outfit.
High point: Scrapping the barrel, Sauber’s only Q3 appearance in Austin.
Low point: Can I just say the whole season? No? Okay, spinning out of the German Grand Prix.
20. Kamui Kobayashi
The Japanese driver will undoubtedly be regretting his departure from a Ferrari WEC drive, after a messy 2014 campaign at Caterham. He had the upper hand over Ericsson at the start of the year, largely thanks to his experience, but struggled more in his final few races with the team.
High point: 13th in Malaysia, finishing ahead of Ericsson and Chilton.
Low point: Failing to start in Singapore due to a reliability issue.
21. Pastor Maldonado
It took the Venezuelan until the 17th round of the season in Texas to score a point, and several on-track incidents failed to improve his reputation. Sure, the E22 was a difficult and unreliable car, but he was out-classed by Grosjean all year. Hopefully we will see a calmer and quicker Maldonado in 2015.
High point: Ninth in the United States Grand Prix.
Low point: Pitching Gutierrez into a barrel-roll in Bahrain.
22. Max Chilton
The British driver suffered another disappointingly average season with Marussia. He did move off the back row of the grid and his form in the first part of the year was more encouraging, but he still did little to prove that he deserves to be in F1 long-term.
High point: 13th place in Bahrain.
Low point: Taking his team-mate out in Canada on lap one.
Note: I did not include Andre Lotterer and Will Stevens in my end-of-season performance grid, as both drivers only competed in one race each.
Do you agree or disagree? Let me know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
Part one of my F1 2014 season review: http://bit.ly/1HZ4Mnw
Part two of my F1 2014 season review: http://bit.ly/1zuMmFp
The F1 2014 season in statistics: http://bit.ly/1pikRhI
The season in pictures: http://bit.ly/1yH4ygI
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