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 

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Julien Billiotte

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