Most Fan-Voted F1 Driver of the Day Winners
Driver of the Day is a fan-voted feature in Formula 1 that has added an exciting element to the races. While there is no tangible prize, winning this award can be a significant achievement for a driver, granting them bragging rights and recognition from fans worldwide.
Introduced in 2016 at the Australian Grand Prix, the first recipient of the Driver of the Day award was Romain Grosjean, driving for Haas. Grosjean’s remarkable performance saw him start from 19th position and finish in sixth place, earning Haas their first points in their debut race.
Max Verstappen’s Dominance – 41 Wins
Max Verstappen has emerged as the most successful driver in terms of the Driver of the Day awards since its inception in 2016. His first win came at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix after securing victory in his debut race for Red Bull.
Notably, Verstappen’s win at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya marked his status as the first Dutchman to claim a race victory and the youngest driver to both win a race and stand on an F1 podium at just 18 years and 288 days old, breaking records previously set by Sebastian Vettel.
His most recent Driver of the Day title was secured at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix, where he displayed exceptional skill in challenging wet conditions, catapulting himself from 17th to first place, marking his 41st win of the award.
Sebastian Vettel’s Resilience – 23 Wins
Sebastian Vettel follows closely behind Verstappen with 23 Driver of the Day wins from 2016 to 2022. Despite his success on the track, Vettel faced setbacks, including penalties that saw him relinquish positions.
One memorable moment involving Vettel occurred at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his final race in F1, where he demonstrated his frustration by moving the first-place sign from Lewis Hamilton’s car to the spot where he refused to park his Ferrari. Fans continued to show their support for Vettel by selecting him for the Driver of the Day award.
Looking Ahead
As Valtteri Bottas transitions to a reserve driver role with Mercedes for the 2025 season, speculation arises about his potential return to Formula 1 with Cadillac, where he is considered a frontrunner for the American team.
In a sport driven by passion and precision, the Driver of the Day award serves as a testament to the exceptional talents and unwavering determination of Formula 1’s elite drivers. As fans continue to engage with the sport and cast their votes, the legacy of these drivers is immortalized through this prestigious accolade.
