Infinite Improbability Drive of the Race - Bahrain

[Londoner]

1. Charles Leclerc - The moral victor of this race.

2. Lando Norris - A third of the way towards unrejectification already!

Honourable mention to Lewis Hamilton's luck. Seriously, the amount of situations that have played into his hands since Abu Dhabi 2016 is unbelievable.

[golic_2004]

1. Leclerc: First podium for him and the first for a Monegasque driver since Louis Chiron in 1950. This should have been a win.

2. Lando Norris: Splendid drive to 6th

HM: Alex Albon: first points of his career (9th), meaning both Thai drivers in F1 history have scored points.

[Alextrax52]

Leclerc, Norris and Albon showing how bright F1's future looks. Raikkonen finishing 7th was a good effort too

[dinizintheoven]

What those two said. And it's worth mentioning Alexander Albon, because he's quite likely to fly under the radar this season.

[good_Ralf]

Leclerc aside, a vote defo goes to Norris. While I knew Lando would be promising, he's surpassing my expectations for him so far. Albon too, if you ask me, he's more likely to replace Gasly than Kvyat at Red Bull if the occasion were to arise.

*And to be fair to Hamilton, while his drive/result wasn't improbable, he outperformed his teammate today and had he not got past Vettel, it could've been Seb on the top step in the end. Lewis was lucky once again but he made his own luck more so on this occasion, he didn't just stroll into the winning position as has somewhat been the case in previous seasons. Plus it was nice to see him celebrate with modesty, and with respect and supportive words for Leclerc.*

[Rob Dylan]

I feel very gutted about the result, so I'm not really in the mood to post IIDOTR nominations. A good race but such a depressing result for me

[You-Gee-Eee-Day]

Not wanting to just add to the flood so here's a few other options:

I'd say Raikkonen for putting that Alfa Romeo up where it simply shouldn't otherwise be.

As well as Will Smith for not showing up.

[Meatwad]

Leclerc would have won if there was any justice. So it's an easy nomination for me, honorable mention to Norris.

[Samster]

Lewis Hamilton's sheer god-like luck. If anything propels him to a sixth title it will be this. How many situations have just fallen into his lap now since Rosberg retired? There is nothing more obnoxious in this sport than someone who is both good and lucky.

HMs

Charles Leclerc Asides from a slow first lap, sheer perfection that should have resulted in a dominant win.

Nico Hulkenburg Despite starting 17th should have won Formula 1.5 but because this race was designed to piss me off that too ended in disappointment through no fault of his own.

Carlos Sainz Nearly overtook Verstappen in a McLaren! If only they hadn't collided I wonder if Sainz could have competed with Verstappen all race?

McLaren A massive turnaround since last season. Could be a contender for 4th in the WCC.

[rachel1990]

Following the crowd

1. charles leclerc Should have won. repeat and Rinse

2. Lando Norris Points in only his second race. good going. (Would had been in the points anyway despite Renault Failing) Also the only car with a Renault Engine to finish!

[CaptainGetz12]

1) Charles Leclerc. The one to beat all weekend and during the race.

2) Lando Norris. Strong showing, Mclaren will be happy to have him in their corner this season.

Mentions:

Renault (Saved Leclerc's podium finish )

Kimi Raikkonen (Still got the pace to mix it in a competivive midfield)

Alexander Albon (First points for a Thai driver in half a century. Hope he can mix it with the midfield like this more often.)

[rachel1990]

Mentions:

Renault (Saved Leclerc's podium finish )

When I first saw that I wondered if they did that just to annoy their former favourite person of all Time Christian Horner....

[Psyclepath]

I nominate Leclerc. Moral victor, he's certainly made a name for himself - even if the results weren't his way.

Hulkenberg. Who, like Leclerc, drove a great race ruined by mechanical failure.

Norris and Albon as well. Both got points. I'd add Russell - he looks good but he's hard to judge - no amount of brilliance could get that Williams out of last right now.

I think we've got an excellent field of drivers this year.

[FortiWinks]

Hamilton’s luck - seriously, how can you be so lucky? Looked toothless in the first stint but then gets essentially given the win by a spinning Vettel and Leclerc’s rotten turbo!

Charles Leclerc though, pretty much flawless drive overall and looks a strong contender for the World Championship in the next few years (not that we needed it proven seeing as we already knew it, but still).

HM definitely goes to Lando “Chuck” Norris

[yannicksamlad]

I'll go Charles Leclerc - start was a bit ropey , but at least that meant we could see how good he was at fighting/passing. And then seemed to have very good pace

Also Sainz, really good quallie and initial race pace impressed me

[Faustus]

As others have said, Leclerc, Norris and Albon were all very impressive. I'll go with McLaren, who were surprisingly good.

[Bobby Doorknobs]

Gotta be McLaren. They haven't looked this good in a single race since they were running a Merc hybrid, probably.

I expected nothing less from Leclerc.

[Wallio]

Kimi Raikkonen - I'm amazed he isn't getting more votes honestly. The pressure is off the Kimster, and he can just drive and have fun now, and he is FLYING. Alfa is 4th in the WCC solely do to him, and the pace seems genuine. We even got another classic radio message out of itm

[Rob Dylan]

Poll is up here as well. As usual, four options, and I decided upon Lewis Hamilton's luck in place of Alexander Albon, simply because people seemed a lot more emotional about the former than the latter. I'm sure Albon will shine again this season, and get his rightful place on the poll, but people seemed certainly to feel stronger about this one.

As usual, 48 hours to vote

[Rob Dylan]

For his heroic efforts in only his second race for Ferrari, Charles Leclerc won the forum's heart for not only getting pole position, but in all sense's winning the race until his disaster a few laps before the end. He showed fantastic pace whilst more experienced and successful drivers had lucklustre performances. Good on the guy, it's just a shame that he didn't win. There's always next time though!