Google+ Jack Leslie F1: F1 2016 mid-season review: Top 10 moments

21 August 2016

F1 2016 mid-season review: Top 10 moments

There have been some brilliant, dramatic and sensational moments from the 2016 Formula 1 season so far.
© Red Bull Content Pool
We’ve witnessed records being broken, team-mates colliding and much more, making it hard to narrow down the top 10. But the summer break gives us a great chance to take a look back at the best moments.

1. Hamilton vs Rosberg, part one
Arguably the most dramatic moment of the season so far, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg’s lap one collision in Spain had F1 fans around the world on the edge of their seats, staring at their TV screens in disbelief. Both drivers were arguably at fault but it opened up the opportunity for a new winner. 

2. Record breaking win 

The Mercedes drama in Barcelona contributed to one of the best races in recent years, with the Ferrari and Red Bulls taking over the fight for victory. 18-year-old Max Verstappen emerged as the leading contender and smashed a number of records to claim his first win in F1, on his debut for the Red Bull team. 

3. Ricciardo’s sense of humour 
Daniel Ricciardo proved why he is one of F1’s most popular drivers in Germany. With his funny sense of humour, he introduced us to the “shoey” on the podium (drinking out of a shoe) and then attempted a joke in the post-race press conference, only for it to backfire in hilarious fashion. 

4. Hungarian GP qualifying 

After such a shambles with the new qualifying format at the start of the season, it was good to get things back to normal from China onwards. Hungary produced one of the most memorable qualifying sessions I can remember, with changeable weather sparking all kinds of chaos, including the controversy surrounding Rosberg’s pole lap. 

5. Rookies in the top 10

Entering F1 is no easy task and a rookie season can often be tough, but two drivers have really stood out. Pascal Wehrlein has enjoyed some great drives for Manor, his best clearly being 10th place in Austria – a well-deserved point for the German. Stoffel Vandoorne was drafted in to replace Fernando Alonso in Bahrain. Despite the difficult circumstances on his one-off appearance he finished a stunning 10th. 

6. Sea gull-gate 

While on-track action is great and all, sometimes the best F1 moments take place away from the cars. Vettel gate-crashed a Sky F1 interview with Canadian GP race winner Hamilton to complain about a sea gull on the circuit, which caused him to go wide. The whole scene was hilarious to watch and was a welcome change from the usual PR-focused interviews in F1. 

7. Alonso goes airborne 

It’s never good to see a crash in F1 but it was great to see Alonso climb out of his severely damaged McLaren in Australia on his own steam. Of course he missed Bahrain but it was a lucky escape, after a spectacular crash. It was caused by Alonso hitting the back of Esteban Gutierrez’s Haas, which pitched him into the air and a series of rolls in Melbourne. 

8. Vettel’s cheeky overtake 

Sometimes in F1 you have just got to take the opportunities that are thrown at you. Vettel definitely did that in China when he punched on two slower cars entering the pits and overtook them both before slowing down for the speed limiter line. Fantastic stuff from the Ferrari driver. 

9. Grosjean stars early on 
© Haas F1 Team
One of my personal highlights from 2016 so far has been the start to the season for Haas F1, who impressed from the get-go. The team arrived in style with some great results in the opening races, although they haven’t been able to keep up the form. The best race was definitely Romain Grosjean’s drive to fifth in Bahrain, a storming performance with some exciting overtakes that showed off his feisty driving style. 

10. Verstappen vs Rosberg in Britain 

The British Grand Prix was dramatic, to say the least. One moment that really stood out was Verstappen’s pass on Rosberg around the outside through the Maggots/Becketts/Chapel section. It was a great example of his aggressive race craft and bravery. He eventually lost out to Rosberg but had the last laugh by moving up to second when Rosberg was penalised for an illegal radio message.

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