A Fan-Powered Award Every Race Weekend
Alongside the podium and championship points, every Formula 1 Grand Prix also crowns a Driver of the Day, an award decided entirely by fan voting rather than stewards, teams or the media.
How Voting Works
- Voting opens once the race begins and typically closes shortly after the chequered flag
- Fans vote through F1’s official app and website
- Every driver who takes the start is eligible, regardless of finishing position
- The result is announced shortly after the race, often during the podium broadcast
Why It’s Different From the Points Standings
Unlike the championship points system, Driver of the Day carries no bearing on the standings. It exists purely as recognition, and often rewards a standout drive from further down the order rather than the outright race winner.
The Kind of Drives That Win It
Recovery drives from the back of the grid, brilliant defensive performances, or a driver dramatically outperforming their car’s expected pace tend to resonate most with fans. A dominant win from the front, by contrast, doesn’t always guarantee the award if the story of the race lies elsewhere on track.
A Simple Way to Get Involved
The award gives fans a genuine voice in how a race is remembered, something that fits neatly alongside the broader storylines of a season’s championship battle. It has also become a talking point in its own right, occasionally sparking debate when fan sentiment and press narratives diverge.
Conclusion
Driver of the Day may not carry championship weight, but it remains one of Formula 1’s most direct ways for fans to shape the story of a race weekend, one vote at a time.