How can we explain that Russell was never designated driver of the day in 2024?

9 drivers were designated drivers of the day this year: Lando Norris seven times, Charles Leclerc 5, Lewis Hamilton et Carlos Sainz 3, Oscar piastri 2, Guanyu-Zhou, Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo and Oliver Bearman 1 time each.

EVERY driver you named the @salesforce #F1DriverOfTheDay this season 🗳️#F1 pic.twitter.com/d53T9jOPe9

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 20, 2024

The big absentee from these votes is George Russell. The Briton is the only Grand Prix winner in 2024 not to have been the fans' favorite this season. The driver of the Mercedes No. 63 was nevertheless one of the most consistent drivers, constantly appearing at the forefront during the season, despite a car to the irregular performance window.

Hamilton preferred to Russell twice

How can we explain such a difference in treatment compared to his peers? Is George Russell underestimated? It is interesting to look at the Grands Prix won by the King's Lynn native this season. In Austria, his victory followed the accident between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris on the 64th of the 71 laps of the race, which occurred after several laps of intense battle between the two men.Third behind the two duettists, the Englishman was logically eclipsed by his compatriot.

Russell's second win of the season came on the streets of Las Vegas. In the City of Vice, the Briton dominated the race from start to finish, leading 49 of the 50 laps after starting from pole position. However, his dominance was not enough to earn him another Driver of the Day spot for the viewers. In Nevada, the limelight was stolen by his team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who finished second behind his garage neighbour after starting from tenth on the grid.

This was not the first time this season that George Russell had fallen victim to his illustrious teammate's aura in the "Driver of the Day" voting. Already in Belgium, it was Sir Lewis who had obtained this distinction while he had initially had to bow to Russell. The latter had brilliantly made a one-stop strategy work thanks to perfect management of his tires in order to win. He was finally disqualified in the evening, his Mercedes being judged to be below the minimum weight required by the technical regulations. A punishment that could not influence the votes on Sunday, July 28, since they are closed before the finish of each Grand Prix.

While George Russell probably prefers to fill his trophy cabinet than win honorary Driver of the Day awards, it is a shame to see that his performances this season have not been appreciated at their true value. Especially when Guanyu Zhou, author of an anonymous season before scoring Sauber's only points in Qatar (8th), and Daniel Ricciardo, thanked before the end of this season, have received this distinction.

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