2015 F1 Rookie Championship

[Dash Racing]

So far, I'd say Toro Rosso should regret nothing about their decision to bring in Verstappen as their driver. He's driving well, brings a strong PR machine, and is doing a lot of things right, and that's all good for the team.

I don't know if I'd compare Verstappen to Schumacher or Senna just yet, but I'm excited to see how he does going forward - certainly, I think he's good, probably good enough to pick up at least one WDC, provided he can get a ride in something capable of getting to the front and staying there. Williams is an also-ran right now and all talk has been on the gains Ferrari have made, but it seems Williams has made gains too, so if Verstappen can secure a seat at Ferrari or Williams next, he just might be able to challenge for a WDC before he's 20. I don't think it's likely he'll get those drives though, I think they'll go to more experienced drivers.

 

[RasputinLives]

So Sainz puts in a top performance to not only get into Q3 but also to take the win in the rookie race. Verstappen apparently had engine issues so came home third and Stevens puts his team mate to the sword yet again.

Sainz and Nasr are pulling away from Verstappen in the Quali and Overall champs now.

Bahrain Quali result:

1 - Sainz - 10pts
2 - Nasr - 6pts
3 - Verstappen - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
5 - Mehri - 2pts

Quali Championship:

1 - Sainz - 30pts
2 - Nasr - 26pts
3 - Verstappen - 24pts
4 - Mehri - 7pts
5 - Stevens - 6pts

Overall Championship:

1 - Nasr - 50pts
2 - Sainz - 48pts
3 - Verstappen - 34pts
4 - Mehri - 13pts
5 - Stevens - 10pts

 

[RasputinLives]

Forgot I hadn't updated this.

Easy win for Fred (Nasr) as the two Torro Rosso's drop out. Will Stevens gets a 2nd which will probably be his best result.

Bahrain race result
1 - Nasr - 10pts
2- Stevens - 6pts
3 - Merhi

Race championship:

1 - Nasr - 34pts
2 - Sainz - 18pts
3 - Verstappen - 10pts
4 - Stevens - 10pts
5 - Merhi - 10pts

Overall Championship:

1 - Nasr - 60pts
2 - Sainz - 48pts
3 - Verstappen - 34pts
4 - Mehri - 17pts
5 - Stevens - 16pts

Verstappen has only finished 1 race all season and its really hurting him with the two Manors level with him in the race championship. Nasr is starting to mount a lead in overall championship.

Spain update will be soon.

 

[RasputinLives]

The results from the 2015 Spanish GP are as follows:

Quali:

1 - Sainz - 10pts
2 - Verstappen - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
5 - Merhi - 2pts

Race:

1 - Sainz - 10pts
2 - Verstappen - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
5 - Stevens - 2pts

.....and the championships are as follows:

Quali Champ.

1 - Sainz - 40pts
2 - Nasr - 30pts
3 - Verstappen 30pts
4 - Stevens - 9pts
5 - Merhi - 9pts

Race Champ:

1 - Nasr - 38pts
2 - Sainz - 28pts
3 - Verstappen - 16pts
4 - Stevens - 13pts
5 - Merhi - 12pts

Overall Champ:

1 - Nasr - 68pts
2 - Sainz - 68pts
3 - Verstappen - 46pts
4 - Stevens - 22pts
5 - Merhi - 21pts

 

[RasputinLives]

and on to the results from Monaco 2015:

Quali:

1 - Sainz - 10pts
2 - Verstappen - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
5 - Merhi - 2pts

Yes Sainz was DQ'd for not using the weighbridge but that don't count here in the rookie championship!

Race:

1 - Nasr - 10pts
2 - Sainz - 6pts
3 - Merhi - 4pts
4 - Stevens 3pts
DNF - Verstappen.

Torro Rosso really snatched defeat from the jaws of victory here and Merhi beats Stevens for the first time.

Championships are as follows:

Quali:

1 - Sainz - 50pts
2 - Verstappen - 36pts
3 - Nasr - 34pts
4 - Stevens - 12pts
5 - Merhi - 11pts

Race:

1 - Nasr - 48pts
2 - Sainz - 34pts
3 - Verstappen - 16pts
4 - Stevens - 16pts
5 - Merhi - 16pts

Overall:

1 - Sainz - 84pts
2 - Nasr - 82pts
3 - Verstappen - 52pts
4 - Stevens - 28pts
5 - Merhi - 27pts.

So this rookie championship thing is really interesting this year. Verstappen is getting all the plaudits in the media but when you look at his actual race results he's only on par with the Manor drivers! He has been crippled by Torro Rosso's unreliability its true but he is certainly getting bested by Sainz at the moment. Nasr appears to keep it clean and get the results but is suffering from Sauber losing pace however with the new Ferrari engine coming he is most def still in this.

 

[RasputinLives]

The update for Canada is as follows:

Quali Race -

1 - Sainz - 10pts
2 - Verstappen - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Merhi - 3pts
5 - Stevens 2pts

Quali Championship -

1 - Sainz - 60pts
2 - Verstappen - 42pts
3 - Nasr - 38pts
4 - Stevens - 14pts
5 - Merhi - 14pts

Race Result -

1 - Sainz - 10pts
2 - Verstappen - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
DNF - Merhi

Race Championship:

1 - Nasr - 52pts
2 - Sainz - 44pts
3 - Verstappen - 22pts
4 - Stevens - 19pts
5 - Merhi - 16pts

Not a great weekend for Nasr this one but he holds on to race championship at least. Sainz is starting to pull clear in both the quali and the overall and young Max is looking like he has a lot to do to get back in this one. The Manor boys are nip and tuck all the way and really aren't that far behind Verstappen in terms of race points.

Overall Championship

1 - Sainz - 104pts
2 - Nasr - 90pts
3 - Verstappen - 64pts
4 - Stevens - 33pts
5 - Merhi - 30 pts

 

[RasputinLives]

The Update for Austria is as follows:

Quali -

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Nasr - 6pts
3 - Sainz - 4pts
4 - Merhi - 3pts
5 - Stevens - 2ts

Quali Championship:

1 - Sainz - 64pts
2 - Verstappen - 52pts
3 - Nasr - 44pts
4 - Merhi - 17pts
5 - Stevens - 16pts

Race -

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Nasr - 6pts
3 - Merhi - 4pts
DNF - Sainz
DNF - Stevens

Race Championship:

1 - Nasr - 58pts
2 - Sainz - 44pts
3 - Verstappen - 32pts
4 - Merhi - 20pts
5 - Stevens - 19pts

A much needed double win for Verstappen but he's going to need a lot more of them to get back in to contention. A bad weekend for Sainz as he slipped from being the usual king of quali to 3rd and then compounded it with a DNF. Nasr's race results are far better than his two main rivals and while some of that can be put down to reliability there is no doubting the race craft has been good. Merhi is back in front for the Manor boys but lets remember he's had an extra round of scoring compared to Stevens.

Nasr has the overall gap down to 6 points now!

Overall Championship:

1 - Sainz - 108pts
2 - Nasr - 102pts
3 - Verstappen - 84pts
4 - Merhi - 37pts
5 - Stevens - 35pts

 

[RasputinLives]

Here we go with the British GP update.

Quali was situation normal with the Toro Rosso's leading the way. Carlos Sainz really seems to be in front of the other on this one.

Quali Result:

1 - Sainz - 10pts
2 - Verstappen - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
5 - Merhi - 2pts

Quali Championship:

1 - Sainz - 74pts
2 - Verstappen - 58pts
3 - Nasr - 48pts
4 - Stevens - 19pts
5 - Marhi - 19pts

The race was the barmiest in the rookie championship we've seen. Nasr didn't even start, Verstappen threw it off the road with cold tyres and Sainz car let him down. All of which left us with the impossible result of a Manor 1-2. A 1-2 that would have been lead by Will Stevens until he spun under wet conditions and through went Merhi to take the unlikely win. Marhi becomes the 4th driver out of the 5 rookies to win a race.

Race result:

1 - Merhi - 10pts
2 - Stevens - 6pts
DNF - Sainz
DNF - Verstappen
DNS - Nasr

Race Championship:

1 - Nasr - 58pts
2 - Sainz - 44pts
3 - Verstappen - 32pts
4 - Merhi - 30pts
5 - Stevens - 25pts

All of which means that Sainz extends his lead over Nasr to 12 points. Verstappen is still just about in touch and all of a sudden the Manor boys have cut the gap to all of them even if it is in vain.

Overall Championship:

1 - Sainz - 118pts
2 - Nasr - 106pts
3 - Verstappen - 90pts
4 - Merhi - 49pts
5 - Stevens - 44pts

 

[Holgersson]

If it wasn't for failing Renault engines Verstappen would easily be top rookie and despite all the media hype over him you can't help but think he's the real deal. He is certainly top Red Bull driver already in the same way Vettel was when he came in at Toro Rosso.

Hear, hear!

 

[RasputinLives]

So the rookie championship reaches its half way point in Hungary and a double win from Max and a retirement from Sainz does open the championship up again. Results are as follows:

Quali:

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Sainz - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Merhi - 3pts
5 - Stevens - 2pts

Quali Championship:

1 - Sainz - 80pts
2 - Verstappen - 68pts
3 - Nasr - 52pts
4 - Merhi - 22pts
5 - Stevens - 21pts

Race Result:

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Nasr - 6pts
3 - Merhi - 4pts
DNF - Stevens*
DNF - Sainz

* = Stevens was a clasified finisher but did stop before the end. By the rule stipulated at the start of this thread this means that Stevens is counted as a DNF. Sorry Will!

Race Championship:

1 - Nasr - 64pts
2 - Sainz - 44pts
3 - Verstappen - 42pts
4 - Merhi - 34pts
5 - Stevens - 25pts

Overall Championship:

1 - Sainz - 124pts
2 - Nasr - 116pts
3 - Verstappen - 110pts
4 - Merhi - 56pts
5 - Stevens - 46pts

So its still Sainz leading the way overall at the half way point and in front of his much talked about team mate in both championships. They both have the same number of mechanical issues now as well so Max will have have to accept that Sainz has got the best of him over the first half of the year. Verstappen does seem to be making a come back though and has gone from being out of the championship to being a contender again. Nasr is the king of the race craft but is ging backwards some thanks to the poor performance of the Sauber. Meanwhile it appears Merhi has finally decided to push back at Will Stevens and is clearly in front of him even considering he got a head start of compeating a round Stevens didn't.

I think the format of the rookie championship has been really useful so far this season and has been a good way to gauge the drivers. I would welcome any comments on the format or the championship itself.

 

[RasputinLives]

Forgot to update this for Spa. Belgium GP Update

Quali Result

1 - Sainz - 10pts
2 - Verstappen - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
5 - Merhi - 2pts

Quali Championship

1 - Sainz - 90pts
2 - Verstappen - 74pts
3 - Nasr - 56pts
4 - Stevens - 24pts
5 - Merhi - 24pts

Race Result

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Nasr - 6pts
3 - Merhi - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
DNF - Sainz

Race Championship

1 - Nasr - 70pts
2 - Verstappen - 52pts
3 - Sainz - 44pts
4 - Merhi - 38pts
5 - Stevens - 28pts

Overall Championship

1 - Sainz - 134pts
2 - Verstappen - 126pts
3 - Nasr - 126pts
4 - Merhi - 62pts
5 - Stevens - 52pts

So the Rookie championship is really heating up now. Poor old Carlos Sainz has not finished a race since Canada and has seen the lead he's built up just vanish. He drops to 3rd in the race championship but holds on to the lead in the overall championship due to his superb qualifying form. Verstappen's come back is continuing and he is now within striking range whilst Nasr's challenge is beginning to crumble somewhat

 

[RasputinLives]

Italian GP update part 1.

So Monza is a little bit of an open goal for Felipe Nasr as he has the superior engine and the Torro Rosso's are taking a whole host of penalties. Its has worked out that way in qualifying and as added bonus to his rivals Verstappen becomes the first person to fall foul of the 'no time, no points' rule.

Quali result:

1 - Nasr - 10pts
2 - Sainz - 6pts
3 - Stevens - 4pts
4 - Merhi - 3pts
Verstappen - No time set

Quali Championship

1 - Sainz - 96pts
2 - Verstappen - 74pts
3 - Nasr - 66pts
4 - Stevens - 28pts
5 - Merhi - 27pts

Its all getting a bit feisty for race day.

 

[RasputinLives]

Italian Grand Prix update part 2

Carlos Sainz finally breaks his run of DNF's and does so with a win. Really didn't expect the Torro Rosso boys to be beat Nasr home but they did. Stevens 4th and Merhi 5th although Merhi gets save of the day though for not creaming into the trundling along Raikonnen.

Race result

1 - Sainz - 10pts
2 - Verstappen - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
5 - Merhi - 2pts

Race Championship

1 - Nasr - 74pts
2 - Verstappen - 58pts
3 - Sainz - 54pts
4 - Merhi - 40pts
5 - Stevens - 31pts

Overall Championship

1 - Sainz - 150pts
2 - Nasr - 137pts
3 - Verstappen - 132pts
4 - Merhi - 67pts
5 - Stevens - 59pts

Nasr still hold the lead for the race championship but Sainz extends the gap in the overall championship. The Max Verstappen comeback is stalling somewhat but it could all change in the fly aways.

 

[RasputinLives]

Singapore Grand Prix Update.

Interesting weekend with a double win for Max Verstappen even if he did make hard work of it in the race after stalling on the grid. Felt a little bit sorry for Sainz who also had a great race but was hindered by a faulty gearbox off the safety car start. Nasr was in better form here than he has been but he doesn't seem to be able to complete with the Torro Rosso boys anymore. He is hanging on to his lead in the race championship just though!

Also the Rookie Championship would like to extend a warm welcome to Alexander Rossi who kicked off his first weekend by besting fellow rookie Will Stevens in the race. Interestingly if Rossi only runs the 5 races he's contracted to do he'll be eligible for next years Rookie Championship too.

Quali Result

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Sainz - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
5 - Rossi - 2pts

Quali Championship

1 - Sainz - 102pts
2 - Verstappen - 84pts
3 - Nasr - 72pts
4 - Stevens - 31pts
5 - Merhi - 27pts
6 - Rossi - 2pts

Race Result:

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Sainz - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Rossi - 3pts
5 - Stevens - 2pts

Race Championship

1 - Nasr - 78pts
2 - Verstappen - 68pts
3 - Sainz - 60pts
4 - Merhi - 40pts
5 - Stevens - 33pts
6 - Rossi - 3pts

Overall Championship:

1 - Sainz - 162pts
2 - Verstappen - 152pts
3 - Nasr - 150pts
4 - Merhi - 67pts
5 - Stevens - 64pts
6 - Rossi - 5pts

Just 12 points between the top 3 in the overall championship! Its a really close thing this year. Will be interesting to see how they cope with Suzuka.

 

[RasputinLives]

On to Japan which was a tale of the Toro Rosso's. Verstappen odd stop and halt in quali handed Carlos Sainz yet another qualifying win whilst in the race Max came out on top but they were nose to tail. Nasr's retirement really does him no favours as Verstappen is now tied with him at the top of the race championship. Rossi just sneaked a time in to score points in quali. Just!

Quali Result:

1 - Sainz - 10pts
2 - Verstappen - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
5 - Rossi - 2pts

Quali Championship:

1 - Sainz - 112pts
2 - Verstappen - 90pts
3 - Nasr - 76pts
4 - Stevens - 34pts
5 - Merhi - 27pts
6 - Rossi - 4pts

Race Result:

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Sainz - 6pts
3 - Rossi - 4pts
4 - Stevens 3pts
DNF - Nasr

Race Championship:

1 - Verstappen - 78pts
= Nasr - 78pts
3 - Sainz - 66pts
4 - Merhi - 40pts
5 - Stevens - 35pts
6 - Rossi - 6pts

Overall Championship:

1 - Sainz - 178pts
2 - Verstappen - 168pts
3 - Nasr - 154pts
4 - Stevens - 69pts
5 - Merhi - 67pts
6 - Rossi - 10pts

Sainz has just a 10 point lead now in the overall championship. Its going to be close!

 

[RasputinLives]

So the 2015 Russian Grand Prix stands as a bit of a turning point in the the Rookie Championship. Sainz big accident meant that he didn't score in qualifying and just when he looked like he was going to jump straight his hospital bed to a rookie race win, his brakes caught fire and he ended up with a double no score. Verstappen had a great qualifying and a lackluster race whilst Nasr had a sudden form resurgence race wise. Its left it all very close.

Quali Result:

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Nasr - 6pts
3 - Stevens - 4pts
4 - Merhi - 3pts
DNQ - Sainz

Quali Championship

1 - Sainz - 112pts
2 - Verstappen - 100pts
3 - Nasr - 82pts
4 - Stevens - 38pts
5 - Merhi - 30pts
6 - Rossi - 4pts

Race result:

1 - Nasr - 10pts
2 - Verstappen - 6pts
3 - Merhi - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
DNF - Sainz

Race Championship:

1 - Nasr - 88pts
2 - Verstappen - 84pts
3 - Sainz - 66pts
4 - Merhi - 44pts
5 - Stevens - 38pts
6 - Rossi - 6pts

Overall Championship:

1 - Verstappen - 184pts
2 - Sainz - 178pts
3 - Nasr - 170pts
4 - Stevens - 76pts
5 - Merhi - 74pts
6 - Rossi - 10pts

All this means we have three championships and headed by 3 different drivers. Despite a no score Sainz still has more than a race victory lead of the qualifying championship showing how much he has dominated there. Nasr moves back to the top of the race championship which just shows how well he's doing race wise as the Sauber had not been able to really compete with the Torro Rosso all season. Meanwhile it is Verstappen who is showing as the all rounder as he moves into the lead of the overall championship for the first time all season.

4 races to go and 14 points splits the top 3! I'm not sure what will happen with the rookie championship next year as there may be no rookies (softmere championship?) but this one is certainly exciting.

 

[Holgersson]

Who won this championship?

 

[RasputinLives]

The last few races will be published soon I promise. Life has just got in the way a little bit.

 

[RasputinLives]

US Grand Prix Results 2015:

Quali:

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Nasr - 6pts
3 - Rossi - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
5 - Sainz - 2pts

Race:

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Sainz - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Rossi - 3pts
DNF - Stevens

Quali Championship:

1 - Sainz - 114pts
2 - Verstappen -110pts
3 - Nasr - 88 pts
4 - Stevens - 41pts
5 - Merhi - 30pts
6 - Rossi - 8pts

Race Championship:

1 - Verstappen - 94pts
2 - Nasr - 92pts
3 - Sainz - 72pts
4 - Merhi - 44pts
5 - Stevens - 38pts
6 - Rossi - 9pts

Overall Championships:

1 - Verstappen - 204pts
2 - Sainz - 186pts
3 - Nasr - 180pts
4 - Stevens - 79pts
5 - Merhi - 74pts
6 - Rossi - 17pts

 

[RasputinLives]

Mexican Grand Prix 2015 Results:

Quali Result

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Sainz - 6pts
3 - Nasr - 4pts
4 - Rossi - 3pts
5 - Stevens - 2pts

Race Result:

1 - Verstappen - 10pts
2 - Sainz - 6pts
3 - Rossi - 4pts
4 - Stevens - 3pts
DNF - Nasr

Quali Championship:

1 - Sainz - 120pts
2 - Verstappen - 120pts
3 - Nasr - 92pts
4 - Stevens - 43pts
5 - Merhi - 30pts
6 - Rossi - 11pts

Race Championship:

1 - Verstappen - 104pts
2 - Nasr - 92pts
3 - Sainz - 78pts
4 - Merhi - 44pts
5 - Stevens - 41pts
6 - Rossi - 13pts

Overall Championship:

1 - Verstappen - 224pts
2 - Sainz - 198pts
3 - Nasr - 184pts
4 - Stevens - 84pts
5 - Merhi - 74pts
6 - Rossi - 24pts