Lewis best driver of 2011?

[ChiChoAndy]

Apparently...

“@TheFifthDriver: It's official* - Lewis is the best driver of 2011!!
(* according to Italy's Confartigione Motori association) http://t.co/3FLVEwO”

Well, as much as I hate to start a flame war, (and some folks will see it as such), is it just me that thinks he isn't the best driver this year? I wonder how they came to this conclusion?

[Mini1275]

I believe he's the best driver on the grid.

Do I agree he's been the best driver in 2011?, I'm not so sure.

He's had some bad luck but has also made a few costly mistakes.

[rallycross]

they must have drawn it out of a hat or something to come to that conclusion.

unless they were talking about 2007/2008 but certainly not 2011!

(and I say that as someone who would love to see him win another championship)

[Targarama]

He crashes too much to be a 'best driver'. Fastest/able to get the most from the car = yes. Best racer = yes. Best driver = no.

[stephen300o]

'This poll is bought to you by Johnnie Walker'

[mattikake]

I'm a Lewis fan for many reasons as I'm sure many know, but the best driver of 2011? Hmmm... surely it should be Vettel?

Best driver on the grid overall given the past few seasons with all contenders for that accolade present, perhaps.

Link isn't working, but isn't thefifthdriver a McLaren employee?

[davepoth]

He's crashed even more this year than I have...

[hornetrider]

Also a Lewis fan here but he's made too many mistakes this year to be considered the best. Difficult to look past the consistency of Vettel, much as I hate to say it.

[Johnboy Mac]

Who's leading on points.........

[ChiChoAndy]

mattikake said:

I'm a Lewis fan for many reasons as I'm sure many know, but the best driver of 2011? Hmmm... surely it should be Vettel?

Best driver on the grid overall given the past few seasons with all contenders for that accolade present, perhaps.

Link isn't working, but isn't thefifthdriver a McLaren employee?

Yeah, a McLaren twitter thingy.

[nosmallfiat]

Hasn't Hamilton himself said it is his worst year ever? Plus he said on Jonthan Ross that Button was doing better than him the the moment.

You aren't going to get much of an argument on this thread

[ChiChoAndy]

Wasn't after an argument. Was wondering what these people had seen that would award It to Lewis.

[johnxjsc1985]

Targarama said:

He crashes too much to be a 'best driver'. Fastest/able to get the most from the car = yes. Best racer = yes. Best driver = no.

If he is the best racer and he gets the best from the car then dosent that make him the best driver.If you swapped Him for Vettel were would Vettel be.Not sure if you can state who the best driver is without having comparible cars.

[Nedz]

The best driver this year is vettel.The best drives this year have come from Button.

[Big Al.]

Again another Lewis fan here, but the best driver of 2011/ Nah too many mistakes and some silly if not bloody dangerous offs.

[Stu R]

He crashes more often than Windows ME this year. I maintain he's in the top 3 in terms of talent and a superb driver on his day, but a mix of bad luck and rash decisions have made this season a bit of a duffer for him. Nowhere near his best, and not the driver of 2011 for me. I think that honour would go to Alonso so far. He's done some great driving so far and seems to know how to get the best out of the Ferrari even when the setup isn't right for the track. Of course, it's hard to argue against Vettel too - kid's got a huge amount of talent.

[SlipStream77]

I'd say Button is certainly a contender, his only retirements have been down to car issues.

[Aydogflipper]

I would agree with people here on this.

He is my favourite driver on the grid, however this season he has not been the best. Some excellent drives but some big mistakes too.

This coupled with some bad luck has cost him a quite possible WDC crown this season, in my opinion.

[jains15]

Lewis CAN be the best driver on the grid, he is widely regarded top2 fastest along with Fred with little to choose between them. Some of his drives (historically) have been incredible.

This year though, no. The best is Vettel through sheer consistency. Metronomic. Equal best this year has been Button - his racecraft is second to none and he is very aggressive. If only he had the one lap raw pace of Lewis.

I still think however that given equal equipment it would go

Fred = Lewis
with Button slightly ahead of Vettel very close behind.

Bottom line is we are spoilt really, there's 6 WDC's between those 4 drivers assuming 2011 is Seb's. And really there's very little to choose between them

[ChiChoAndy]

Good post. We do seem to have a plethora of excellent, exciting drivers this year.