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In this thread we look at how each driver performed at the race showing the average finishing position (when finishing), best and worst finishing positions and their %DNF.

Rank Driver Average Finishing position Best position (times) Worse position (times) %DNF
1. Vettel 1.56 1(11) 4(1) 5.26%
2. Button 3.06 1(3) 6(3) 10.53%
3. Webber 3.33 1(1) 5(2) 5.26%
4. Alonso 3.44 1(1) 7(1) 5.26%
5. Hamilton 3.75 1(3) 8(1) 15.79%
6. Massa 6.38 5(6) 11(1) 15.79%
7. Rosberg 7.65 5(2) 12(1) 10.53%
8. Schumacher 8.29 4(1) 17(1) 26.32%
9. Heidfeld 8.5 3(1) 12(2) 27.27% (11 races)
10. Sutil 9.88 6(2) 15(1) 10.53%
11. Kobayashi 10.53 5(1) 16(1) 15.79%
12. Petrov 10.69 3(1) 17(2) 15.79%
13. di Resta 11.06 6(1) 18(1) 5.26%
14. Buemi 11.21 8(2) 15(1) 26.32%
15. Perez 11.69 7(1) 17(1) 17.65% (17 races)
16. Alguersuari 11.81 7(2) 21(1) 15.79%
17. Barrichello 13.25 9(2) 17(2) 15.79%
18. Senna 13.88 9(1) 17(1) 0% (8 races)
19. Maldonado 14.62 10(1) 18(3) 31.58%
20. Kovalainen 15.86 13(1) 19(2) 26.32%
21. Trulli 16.86 13(2) 20(1) 22.22% (18 races)
22. Glock 17.85 15(2) 21(2) 22.22% (18 races)
23. d'Ambrosio 18.13 14(2) 22(1) 15.79%
24. Ricciardo 19.25 18(2) 22(1) 18.18% (11 races)
25. Liuzzi 19.75 13(1) 23(2) 29.41% (17 races)
26. Karthikeyan 20 17(3) 24(1) 12.50% (8 races)

de la Rosa and Chandhok are not listed as they only took part in 1 race in 2011

Drivers with the least DNF ratio:

1. Senna - 0% - 0 DNFs out of 8
2. di Resta - 5.26% - 1 DNF out of 19 (1 mechanical)
3. Vettel - 5.26% - 1 DNF out of 19 (1 mechanical)
4. Webber - 5.26% - 1 DNF out of 19 (0 mechanical)
5. Alonso - 5.26% - 1 DNF out of 19 (0 mechanical)


Drivers with the most DNF ratio:

1. Maldonado - 31.58% - 6 DNFs out of 19 (4 mechanical)
2. Liuzzi - 29.41% - 5 DNFs out of 17 (3 mechanical)
3. Heidfeld - 27.27% - 3 DNFs out of 11 (1 mechanical)
4. Schumacher - 26.32% - 5 DNFs out of 19 (3 mechanical)
5. Kovalainen - 26.32% - 5 DNFs out of 19 (4 mechanical)
6. Buemi - 26.32% - 5 DNFs out of 19 (5 mechanical)

Comparing teammates, the following table shows which driver scored more points and by what ratio

1. Alonso over Massa (257 points against 118 points) - 2.18 (Alonso scored more than double what Massa scored)
2. Kobayashi over Perez (30 points over 14 points) - 2.14
3. Alguersuari over Buemi (26 points over 15 points) - 1.73
4. Sutil over di Resta (42 points over 27 points) - 1.56
5. Vettel over Webber (392 points over 258 points) - 1.52
6. Button over Hamilton (270 points over 227 points) - 1.19
7. Rosberg over Schumacher (89 points over 76 points) - 1.17
8. Heidfeld over Petrov (34 points over 32 points) - 1.06

Williams, Team Lotus, HRT and Marussia Virgin are not included due to too few points or no points scored.
Petrov/Senna isn't compared due to too few points (5 point over 2 points in favour of Petrov)

I went for Alonso, because I think he punched hugely above his weight with a car that was almost never truly competitive.

At many races the McLaren was actually better in the race than the Red Bull, but Alonso nevertheless managed to beat Hamilton overall.

Thought this a tricky question, as strong cases could also be made for Vettel and Button, but I think, given his car, Alonso performed the best. If Ferrari ever get their act together he stands perhaps the best chance of beating Vettel.

Thank you so much for the very interesting stats Ed.
It was extremely interesting to see that Senna was the best as far as DNFs went for the year..... I hope that he will be racing again next year.

As for my driver of the year...... I guess that most people would be going for Vettel given that he was the WDC however I am going for Button. He was the one driver IMHO that was willing to take the race to Vettel!!

Jacfan, it's also worth pointing out Button's two (I think) DNFs were not his fault and he still finished ahead of other drivers who suffered fewer DNFs, including one in the championship winning car.

Well I hate to admit it but at the end of the day Vettel made the best of his opportunities.
My heart goes out to Webber.... if only he had got his starts sorted out he might have given Seb a real run for his money.

Hi Ed,
Fascinating stats. Thank you.

I do believe that the score that is shown should be taken against the total number of races started. This would make the stats slightly more reliable and would I am sure assist a constructor to evaluate driver decisions. Why?
Driver sensitivity to his car is a VERY important aspect of a GOOD driver (champion). Some mechanical failures are definitely beyond the control of the driver but IMHO the driver contributes to mechanical failure in most cases. Examples : Vettel and Hamilton had gearbox trouble ( I do not believe it was staged by Red Bull ! ) but Vettel was able to nurse his car and still maintain fastest laps. Hamilton butchered his boix into quitting (possibly in anger ??). How does Button manage to be so gentle on his tyres? There are many, many more examples of drivers nursing their cars through a race and getting to the finish.

All the best for the festive season F1 addicts !!!!! cheers

Not sure if I am posting this in the right place but I am sure Ed or someone will move it if it isn't.....
First up I would like to thank Ed and all the others behind the scenes who keep us all up to date on the sport we all watch and love so much. Well Done!!!!
I would also like to wish everyone here a very happy and peaceful Christmas...
I for one am looking forward to Christmas and then not long until the first race of 2012!!!

Thank you jacfan, this thread is as good as any

Thank you and all of those who have contributed to the forum over the last year and we wish you all happy holidays.

We look forward to an exciting 2012 season and we hope to see you here at the forums again soon