Hot Rod or Hot Dog is Badger’s race-by-race evaluation of driver performance. We don’t need fancy technology – we’ve got our eyes. Take that, SkyPad. So, without any further ado, who’s hot and who’s not?
Charles Pic
The French rookie doesn’t usually get much of a mention, overshadowed as he often is by his far more experienced team mate Timo Glock.
However, Hungary 2012 proved a different story; the more experienced German was left in a spin as he was out-qualified and then out-raced by the young Frenchman. All this goes to show that Charles, despite his rather fun hair do, is in fact a racing driver and not the 6th member of One Direction.
Timo wasn’t all that pleased with him though, which is probably a good sign for Pic. No matter about team-mate relations, we saw it as an Olym-Pic performance. Ahem.
Kimi Raikkonen
The Iceman (nearly) cometh again with another impressive drive, stamping his authority on the team and, it has to be said, his team mate.
After he challenged Hamilton all the way to the chequered flag we were so impressed we named him Badger’s Top Dog for the Hungarian GP. Check out what we said here.
Lewis Hamilton
After three tricky races in which he picked up only 4 points the man from Stevenage (that well known area of LA) bounced back in style in Hungary, putting himself well back in contention for the title.
It was a mature drive, resisting pressure from both Renault drivers over the course of the race and not putting a foot wrong. He didn’t even let a slight hiccup at a pitstop stop him collecting 25 points.
P.S Isn’t it nice to see him celebrating with his parents?
Michael Schumacher
Oh dear, oh dear. It had all been going so well. It really was a weekend to forget for the seven-time champion – he’d have been much better staying at home, doing the ironing, putting up shelves, working on the allotment and other such retirement activities.
After giving us a glimpse of the Schumacher of old, he really showed that age has dulled his instincts, as this great cartoon on sidepodcast summed up. (Illustration by Stuart Taylor)
Bruno Senna
He had a great start, launching himself past Massa and into the mix at the sharp end. After that it developed into something mysterious and strange – a good race, as he finally drove consistently on a Sunday afternoon.
It’s also important for him (and his future at the team) that he outperformed Maldonado – something he definitely needed to do.
We’re sure this Bruno fan, as featured on the Williams F1 Facebook page, would have been chuffed. Either that, or waiting at his house to “celebrate” with him.
