Overtake of the year? Worst idea of the year? Phone call of the year? Awards season for the 2016 Formula 1 field
Friday 9 December 2016 16:58, UK
The 2016 Formula 1 season had it all - so it's only fitting we mark it by handing out an array of awards for the best, worst, and downright unbelievable moments of the year.
So, in alphabetical order, take a look at the eclectic 2016 roll of honour…
Car of the year: Mercedes W07
On the front row for every race and the winner of 19 of the year's 21 grands prix. Nothing else got close.
Celebration of the year: Daniel Ricciardo's Shoey in Malaysia
Victory has never tasted so, erm, unenticing.
Cool-down room of the year: Daniil Kvyat holding his ground in China
Although, in hindsight, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Russian's confrontation with Sebastian Vettel is the reminder that the Russian started the year at Red Bull. Time travels fast in F1.
Co-star of the year: Ted Kravitz's umbrella
The unpredictable Sky F1 brolly was at it again in China.
Crash of the year: Fernando Alonso in Australia
And he walked away with barely a scratch.
Decision of the year: Promoting Max Verstappen at Red Bull
And to think that there were, at the time, critics of Red Bull's 'ruthlessness'...
Debut of the year: Stoffel Vandoorne in Bahrain
Called in to replace the injured Alonso, Vandoorne out-qualified his world champion team-mate Jenson Button before earning McLaren's first points of the season.
Who are the drivers of the 2016 F1 season?
Disappointment of the year: Ferrari
Despite the urgings of their president, the Scuderia were winless in 2016 and without a single front-row start in any race.
Dodgy accent of the year: Daniel Ricciardo's Texan at the US GP
But full marks for trying...
Drive of the year: Max Verstappen in Brazil
According to his team boss, it was "one of the best performances" in F1 history. Few argued.
Driver of the year: Lewis Hamilton
With nods to the Red Bull pair and the new world champion, Hamilton ended the year with most wins, most poles and most podiums, even if he relinquished his drivers' crown.
WATCH: The F1 Report's End of Season show
Emotional moment of the year: Felipe Massa in the pitlane in Brazil
The Brazilian was treated to an impromptu 'guard of honour' from the Mercedes and Ferrari teams after crashing out of his last F1 race at Interlagos.
Finding your feet of the year: Haas F1
Who would have expected Romain Grosjean to be fifth in the standings after two races for the F1 rookies?
Fleeting comeback of the year: The German GP
Absent from the grid in 2015 and now absent again for 2017 with just one poorly-attended race in-between.
Grid moment of the year: Venus Williams snubbing Martin Brundle in Austin
Can't win them all...
Headline of the year: Luckiest man alive - Fernando Alonso
And the inspiration for one of the best pictures of the year...
Iconic moment of the year: Lewis Hamilton crowdsurfing at the British GP
Certainly a moment the Silverstone crowd will never forget.
Impromptu interview of the year: Johnny Herbert and Fernando Alonso
One angry driver and one surprised Sky F1 pundit...
Inevitability of the year: Nico Rosberg saying he's taking it one race at a time
Even Nico must have grown weary of saying it by the time of round twenty-one...
Innovation of the year: Our Virtual Reality app
Go on, give it a try...
Interview of the year: Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel in Canada
TV gold at the Canadian GP thanks to a crazy, track-invading seagull...
Last lap of the year: Austria
Hamilton v Rosberg at its most intense...and acrimonious.
Luckiest man of the year: Singapore marshal who walked onto the track
When race restarts nearly go wrong.
Most dramatic moment of the year: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's crash in Barcelona
It had to happen eventually, didn't it?
Most improved driver of the year: Max Verstappen
And now the youngest-ever winner in Formula 1 history. He even has a rule named after him too.
Most third-place finishes of the year: Mexico (Verstappen, Vettel, Ricciardo)
The bottom step of the podium has never been so popular.
Nerves of steel of the year: Nico Rosberg in Abu Dhabi
Backing-up tactics and all, Nico was really put through the wringer in the 2016 title decider but came out with his first - and only - world title.
Overtake send-off of the year: Nico Hulkenberg's "see you later" on Valtteri Bottas in Japan
As cool as the overtake itself.
Overtaking move of the year: Max Verstappen on Nico Rosberg in Brazil
In truth, it could have been any of the teenager's stunning overtakes in the Interlagos downpour.
Phone call of the year: Daniil Kvyat told of Red Bull demotion while watching Game of Thrones
"Hello Danii, Helmut Marko here..."
Pivotal moment of the year: Lewis Hamilton's engine blowout in Malaysia
The 28-point swing Hamilton's third failure of the year triggered was the championship moment of the year.
Paddock entrance of the year: Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo in Mexico
Heard the one about the Red Ghouls?
Pit crew of the year: Williams
In 2016's 21 races, they recorded the fastest pit-stop on 14 occasions.
Press conference of the year: The Japanese GP
The press were not amused...
Qualifying of the year: Monaco GP
The only Saturday where a Mercedes wasn't on pole
Quote of the year: Bernie Ecclestone to Rachel Brookes
Because who doesn't enjoy these words of advice from the F1 supremo: "Don't have sex in the open, and don't do interviews."
Race of the year: Brazilian GP
Quite simply the Grand Prix that had it all.
Radio rage of the year: Sebastian Vettel in Mexico
Repeatedly telling the FIA race director to 'f*** off'? It wasn't wise and it wasn't pleasant, but it gets the vote for its dramatic effect.
Rookie of the year: Jolyon Palmer
Improving as the season went on and securing a race seat against the odds, Jolyon ensured there will be two Brits on the grid in 2017.
Saga of the year: Renault drivers
It was supposed to be announced in September and it was supposed to be one of Carlos Sainz, Valtteri Bottas or Sergio Perez getting the top seat.
Save of the year: Max Verstappen in Brazil
Fifty per cent luck, 50 per cent skill? Whatever it was, it was spectacular.
Shock of the year: Nico Rosberg's retirement
Shock of the year? Make that shock of the decade.
Team of the year: Force India
A best ever finish for a team who always seem to punch above their weight.
Track duel of the year: Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo in Malaysia
Two team-mates at their very best, it was a skillful battle that ultimately decided the race in Sepang.
Track interloper of the year: Monitor Lizard in Singapore
Max Verstappen will always remember the day he came 'face to face with Godzilla'.
Turnaround of the year: Red Bull
From gloomy pre-season predictions, to a return to race-winning ways and a comfortable second in the Constructors' Championship, Red Bull are back in business.
Unsung hero of the year: Carlos Sainz
He's not Max Verstappen, but 2016 proved Carlos Sainz should have his own big future.
Worst idea of the year: Elimination qualifying
Let's just forget it ever happened, shall we?
And we'll do it all again in 2017! Sky Sports F1 will once more be the only place to see every race live with the Australian GP kicking off the 20-race season on March 26
