Infinite Improbability Drive of the Race - Monaco 2022

[Londoner]

1. Sergio Perez. From zero in qualifying to hero in the race. The Red Bull seat is surely his for years to come, nicely done.

2. Carlos Sainz Jr. Effectively calling his own strategy, that maiden win can't be too far away.

[Klon]

Nobody in Formula One deserves this award today, so I will give it to the #118 Dacia Logan in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race.

[Aislabie]

1. Pierre Gasly - managed to overtake a bunch of cars on-track, which was fun

2. Sergio Perez - a win from not the front row, doesn't happen often in Monaco

[Ducktanian]

I will second the #118 Dacia Logan nomination.

[Vassago]

1. Sergio Perez - held it together when it mattered.

HM: Pierre Gasly - he benefited from inters that added to the overall race strategy but was AWOL after the red flag.

[Hermann95]

HM: Sergio Perez, flawless drive for his first Monaco win

My nomination: #118 Dacia Logan

[rachel1990]

1- the clear number 2 drivers. Perez and Sainz beat their teammates fairly.

2. Norris- I suspect he still isn't 100% and yet got a top result.

Hm- Vettel. 1 point I suppose.

[RAK]

1) Pierre Gasly: Was clearly really up for it today; might not have scored points, but certainly entertained.

2) Sergio Perez: I might have actually predicted this, so it's not that improbable, but he had the pace over his championship-leading teammate and more than made up for his mistake in qualifying.

Honourable Mention: #118 Dacia Logan - might be a different sort of motor racing, but I love seeing underdog competitors like this doing surprisingly well.

[IceG]

(1) Alonso - for guaranteeing his points by just going slower and slower (at the expense of Ocon).

Nothing else worthy of note.

[Alextrax52]

Perez: Soaked up relentless pressure in the final minutes to take a brilliant win

Gasly: Provided most of the entertainment

[Enforcer]

Again, this is one that has me question the merit of this award. I know it's a 'feel good' award, but I feel it loses something if we're giving to someone who just did kinda well without really pulling off anything amazing. We should consider saving it for really deserving cases, which admittedly will be rare, given the neatly stratified nature of the grid currently. Or just replacing it with our own Driver of the Day award.

The improbability of Perez, or anyone in a Ferrari or Red Bull, winning at the moment could hardly be characterised as infinite, even with exaggeration and artistic licence allowed for. And it would definitely be odd to put Perez in the hat for IIDOTR, implying he did something exceptional, but at the same time it's safe to assume that Ferrari will be at least runners up for ROTR for throwing the race away. Which is it? Ferrari incompetence or Perez brilliance? Really the only thing notable about it once Ferrari had removed themselves from the lead of the race is that Red Bull didn't try and scheme a way to get Max into 1st place at Perez' expense.

I'd say the only person really approaching IIDOTR here is Norris. But at this stage is he really good, or is he driving to the performance of the car and Riccy is just having a really poor time? Like poorer than we already think?

Therefore I suggest no award of IIDOTR.

[dr-baker]

Marcus Ericsson.

Wait, you're telling me he's not a Sauber driver any more? Nor even an F1 driver any more? And it's not even called Sauber any more? And more to the point, the Indy 500 hasn't been part.of the F1 championship since 1960, 62 years ago? Based on Enforcer's comment, I'm still going for Ericsson.

[James1978]

Not so much for this race in isolation but I think a lot of teams' perceived second drivers are doing really well lately, such as:

Checo - if he'd been allowed to win in Spain too, he'd be just a single point behind Max. Red Bull might get another Vettel/Webber situation soon.
Sainz - fought back well here against Leclerc.
Russell - who'd have thought it at the start of the year?
Norris - maybe he should be seen as lead driver but remember Ricciardo was the guy who essentially triggered Vettel leaving Red Bull to go to Ferrari!

Also Ocon doing well against Alonso, Latifi seems to be leading Albon now too.

[Aerond]

The Rain - Without it, this would have been a snooze fest, so props to it

[dj_vicious]

I probably shouldn't even make a post, but I will say this race had no IIDOTR of note. I will give an HM to Zhou for the save of the century. Inches away from the 2nd red flag of the race.

[dj_vicious]

Marcus Ericsson.

Wait, you're telling me he's not a Sauber driver any more? Nor even an F1 driver any more? And it's not even called Sauber any more? And more to the point, the Indy 500 hasn't been part.of the F1 championship since 1960, 62 years ago? Based on Enforcer's comment, I'm still going for Ericsson.

To tail off your comment, that was a Hell of a drive from Marcus and he was the class of the field at the end. Dixon can stop kicking himself for his penalty because I don't think he would have been able to hold off Ericcson's charge

[James1978]

Not so much for this race in isolation but I think a lot of teams' perceived second drivers are doing really well lately, such as:

Checo - if he'd been allowed to win in Spain too, he'd be just a single point behind Max. Red Bull might get another Vettel/Webber situation soon.
Sainz - fought back well here against Leclerc.
Russell - who'd have thought it at the start of the year?
Norris - maybe he should be seen as lead driver but remember Ricciardo was the guy who essentially triggered Vettel leaving Red Bull to go to Ferrari!

Also Ocon doing well against Alonso, Latifi seems to be leading Albon now too.

Actually I'll add to that with saying Tsunoda has definitely stepped up and is comparing well now with the highly-rated Gasly, and a rich boy Stroll is also keeping a 4-time world champion honest at Aston Martin.

The only teams where the 2nd driver is definitely struggling against the lead driver are Schumacher against Magnussen and Zhou against Bottas who's revelling in being a lead driver for a team even if it's a smaller team.

[Rob Dylan]

The poll is up at the top of this thread! You have 48 hours to choose your candidate for IIDOTR! I have received and seen much comment about the validity of this award, so I have added the option of voting for nobody if you feel that nobody deserves it. Get voting

[Londoner]

Find out who shone around the Principality this time around!