Just for fun: The 2013 Rookie Of The Year

[steveaki13]

I agree. After a tough start he was consistant and just plugged away and was unlucky.

[AndyL]

By the way, I thought it was a pretty impressive performance by Bottas today - he almost scored points.

He got his crashing out of the way on the way to the grid

[DazzlaF1]

Here it is after malaysia, plenty of bonuses due to good finishing positions, the only change in the standings is Bottas is the new leader by a single point

Bottas = 25 +2
Gutierrez = 18+1
Bianchi = 15+5
Van der Garde = 12+3
Chilton = 10+2

Driver         01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 BONUS  TOTAL

BOTTAS         18 25  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     2     45
GUTIERREZ      25 18  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     1     44
BIANCHI        15 15  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     8     38
CHILTON        12 10  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     3     25
VAN DER GARDE  10 12  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     3     25

[DazzlaF1]

You can't really compare Glock and Bianchi, as unless Bianchi Glock never had KERS or a car that was properly designed.

I agree, not only Bianchi but Marussia I think deserve a mention as arguably the most improved team on the grid, its safe to say they've jumped ahead of Caterham in the pecking order and Bianchi is showing clearly what a good driver he is. Chilton's also doing a good job so far considering this is his first experience in the big leagues, for him his target should be to beat Van der Garde and if he does, then he can consider himself to have had a decent debut season

Also i've just got a funny feeling this season that we could finally see one of the "newer" teams break the scoring duck, and I feel Bianchi and Marussia could be the ones to do it

[steveaki13]

Bottas what a legend. Leading the championship.

[rjbetty]

I agree, not only Bianchi but Marussia I think deserve a mention as arguably the most improved team on the grid, its safe to say they've jumped ahead of Caterham in the pecking order and Bianchi is showing clearly what a good driver he is. Chilton's also doing a good job so far considering this is his first experience in the big leagues, for him his target should be to beat Van der Garde and if he does, then he can consider himself to have had a decent debut season

Also i've just got a funny feeling this season that we could finally see one of the "newer" teams break the scoring duck, and I feel Bianchi and Marussia could be the ones to do it

Yeah I think that too! After being pessimistic in the off season I'm changing my tune.

No offence to Luis Razia, but things have worked out quite well now. I think Razia would not have been any better than Chilton...

[DazzlaF1]

The Chinese GP Result, Due to all 5 going out in Q1, it would be tough for any of them to score any bonus points in the race, but 3 of the drivers for the "newer" teams managed it thanks to a spate of retirements

Bottas = 25 +0
Bianchi = 18+3
Chilton = 15+2
Van der Garde = 12 (no bonus)
Gutierrez = DNF (No Score)

And standings after China, Bottas has a clear lead now after Gutierrez's DNF and no score, this also means Bianchi jumps ahead of Gutierrez with his impressive bonus point count showing he is performing brilliantly in the Marussia

Driver         01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 BONUS  TOTAL

BOTTAS         18 25 25  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     2     70
BIANCHI        15 15 18  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -    11     59
GUTIERREZ      25 18  0  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     1     44
CHILTON        12 10 15  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     5     42
VAN DER GARDE  10 12 12  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     3     37

[CNR]

F1 needs a rethink about how to prepare rookie drivers - Sauber - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com F1 needs a rethink about how to prepare rookie drivers - Sauber

With the Mexican struggling to match the speed of Sauber team-mate Nico Hulkenberg so far this season, and with F1's other new boys facing their own difficulties, Kaltenborn thinks it points to wider issues for the sport itself.
"We can see his potential but he made a mistake, and that is the dilemma at the moment about rookie drivers," Kaltenborn told AUTOSPORT

[faster69]

i don't think it's anything to be concerned with. it's how it has always been. there's a long history in f1 of hyped drivers or drivers who show great potential, but simply fail to make the next step when they get a drive in a top team.

[DazzlaF1]

No bonus points for anyone from Bahrain so just regular finishing positions applies and its a 3rd win in a row for Valtteri Bottas increasing his lead at the top to 21 points

STANDINGS AFTER BAHRAIN

Driver         01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 BONUS  TOTAL

BOTTAS         18 25 25 25  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     2     95
BIANCHI        15 15 18 15  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -    11     74
GUTIERREZ      25 18  0 18  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     1     62
CHILTON        12 10 15 12  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     5     54
VAN DER GARDE  10 12 12 10  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     3     47