Verstappen gets 'Driver of the Day' award after Kubica blunder

©Williams

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Formula 1 officially revised its 'Driver of the Day' award for the Austrian Grand Prix after a technical glitch had caused Robert Kubica to initially win the fan-based vote.

A brilliant drive and subsequent win by Max Verstappen at the Red Bull Ring made the Dutchman the most logical choice for 'DotD'.

Instead however, the accolade went to Kubica, a baffling outcome given that the Williams had concluded his afternoon of racing in P20, three laps down on the winner.

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A very efficient hacking of the 'DotD' vote tally by a loyal group of Polish fans came to mind when Kubica's name popped up on the screens at the end of Sunday's race.

However, the wild discrepancy was simply rooted in a technical glitch according to Formula 1 who said that Kubica "was incorrectly allocated a number of votes”.

The revised tally deservedly proclaimed Max Verstappen the winner with 74 percent of the votes going the Dutchman's way.

While Kubica's drive in Austria stood out for the wrong reasons, perhaps he took a bit of comfort from the fact that Williams had secured the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award for the fourth race in a row!

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.