Romain Grosjean has become the first winner of the new-for-2016 Driver of the Day Award after scoring Haas F1 Team’s maiden Formula One points at the Australian Grand Prix.

Starting from 19th for the American team’s grand prix debut, the Frenchman steadily fought back to claim a strong sixth-place finish though his recovery was aided by the red flag that followed his team-mate Esteban Gutierrez and Fernando’s huge crash.

Indeed, Grosjean was effectively handed a free pit stop, with Haas bolting fresh medium tyres during the neutralisation. Still, the ex-Lotus ace had to withstand intense pressure from Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg and Williams’s Valtteri Bottas during the second half of a wild season opener.

The official F1 website has not revealed any vote count but added a note that said: “in the interests of fairness, multiple votes identified as originating from the same source were not counted.”

Australian Grand Prix - Driver ratings

REPORT: Rosberg beats Hamilton after huge Alonso crash

AS IT HAPPENED: 2016 Australian Grand Prix 

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

‘That was on me’ – Perez owns up to Shanghai tangle with Bottas

Last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix was barely a few corners old before the black-and-white Cadillacs…

56 mins ago

Leclerc defies peers, defends F1 new era: ‘It doesn’t feel artificial’

The 2026 Formula 1 season has touched down with the subtlety of a localized earthquake,…

3 hours ago

Norris: McLaren ‘not at level we need’ but confident of turnaround

Lando Norris was denied the chance to race in Shanghai, but the reigning world champion…

4 hours ago

A picture-perfect St. Patrick's Day!

Bring out your green, for it's St. Patrick's Day, which is the perfect excuse for…

6 hours ago

Wolff's Mercedes heritage flight for past and present stars

Once a Mercedes driver, always a Mercedes driver – and apparently always welcome aboard Toto…

6 hours ago

Very happy Gasly says Alpine now ‘in a completely different league’

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly walked away from last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix with a smile –…

7 hours ago