F1 field elects its 2021 Driver of the Year

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A selection of fourteen drivers from this year's F1 grid cast their vote for Driver of the Year, with Max Verstappen unsurprisingly coming out on top.

The annual poll set up by Formula 1 saw each driver create their own top-10 ranking, with scores based on F1's points system, with the top driver thus earning 25 points while the tenth best was given 1 point.

The fourteen lists were then combined to form a top 10 overall. All drivers, who voted anonymously, were allowed to vote for themselves although several did not, while others did not put their name at the top of the ballot.

As expected, Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton topped the votes, with McLaren's Lando Norris scoring third ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

Thereafter followed Alpine's Fernando Alonso, AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly, Williams' George Russell, Esteban Ocon and Haas rookie Mick Schumacher who was praised by his peers.

Conspicuously absent from the top 10 poll were three Grand Prix winners in 2021, Sergio Perez, Daniel Ricciardo and Valtteri Bottas.

The drivers who took part in the vote (in alphabetical order) were: Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly, Nicholas Latifi, Charles Leclerc, Nikita Mazepin, Lando Norris, Esteban Ocon, Daniel Ricciardo, George Russell, Carlos Sainz, Mick Schumacher, Lance Stroll, Yuki Tsunoda, Sebastian Vettel

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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.