We started with one rookie and look set to end the year with four. Who do you think has been the most impressive rookie? I know that Sebastien Buemi has had a whole season, but which driver do you think has been the best performer and who might have a long lasting career in Formula One?

I voted for Buemi, he's had a fair number of decent performances over the season. Kobayashi was excellent today, lets see how he handles another GP before anyone jumps the gun

Kobayashi looks like a real racer! He needs a few more races to be judged though. Buemi gets the nod. He also had a great race today in the top 6.

Looking at the results, I think Grosjean also visits this forum

I was going to say "Buemi", but just one race of Kobayashi made me think - that's the first Japanese driver who you can take seriously.

So my vote goes to Kamui.

Gotta be Buemi. He's been seriously quck at times. He put Bordais on the sidelines, and he hasn't really looked out of his depth like Gosjean has.

Why not just ask the mods to add a poll to the existing rookie of the year thread?

http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?show...40&start=40

I'm quite sure it's Sutil. Ask any other driver.

It's a complete mismatch this one, seeing as the Torro Rosso became a second skin for Buemi over the winter, whereas the others have come in mid season and have had to learn on the job because of the testing ban. With that in mind, I think Alguersuari, who had never driven an F1 car at all (other than in a straight line) has shown a lot of maturity and has been very respectable. He's kept his nose clean for the most part, while staying mostly within range of his team mate. More racing experience and a full winter of testing will allow him to show a lot more of his potential I think.

The STR drivers have shown little improvment. Buemi had the whole winter to prepare but he's been average at best. They have possibly the quickest car and have succeeded in doing nothing with it. Rookies or not, since Lewis the bar for a rookie has been raised and they came very very very short under.

Grosjean has been as pathetic as I expected. He's not ready for F1.

Kamui however was fantastic in Brazil. Considering his lack of experience of the car and track, and also the fact that he was never really great in GP2 he massivley supprised myself and im sure many others!

However, its very easy to forget, Nakajima debuted at Brazil and drove an amazing first race. I hope Kamui does not follow suit and have a poor first year.

Jamie was slow. Very slow and like I said before has shown no improvment over Hungary.

Has to Kobayashi... At least he was out there trying... OK, maybe he didn't do the "Webber" on Nakajima as well as Webber would have himself, but he'll learn.

My vote goes to Kobayashi.

Season isn't over so it's too early to decide, specially for Kobayashi who drove just one race.

I mean, what if Grosjean wins the race

More proof that this forum is highly previous race-centric.

Hard to say, as only one candidate has driven the full season.

So I've voted for Buemi, he has been quite good at times.

Alguersuari is totally underwhelming and if he doesn't improve dramatically his career will be over aged 20.

Kobayashi would win the rookie race of the year award, but too early to say.

Like the rest, Grosjean badly needs testing.

In my view Buemi needs more respect. The way he outpaced Bourdais was similar compared to Vettel.

Kobayashi was driving perhaps one second off from his car's potential pace. I don't see how this warrants comparison with Buemi.

Grosjean has been quite near to Alonso at some qualys. He is not that bad as someone are doing him. For instance he has been more near to Alonso than what Fisichella has been to Räikkönen. Not too bad performance.

Buemi.

Bit hard to compare Kamui with only 1 race. Did Buemi not scored points in his debut race?

kobayashi did an excellent race but how can one say "best rookie" for only a single race? i voted buemi

I agree....too early to judge Kamui.

Has to be Buemi.

He did a solid job overall although he too had some stupid moments.

Too early to judge Kobayashi but his only race so far was quite impressive. The other two didn't do anything special, Algersuari still being marginally better than Grosjean.

Kobayashi, for his defensive display against Button. He showed more balls, technique and backbone in one race, than Grosjean, Buemi and Alguersuari have all season. Brazil was a genuine overtakers paradise, by modern F1 standards and Kobayashi held his own against a rampaging Button on a mission.

Maybe Grosjean and Alguersuari can compete in the worst F1 Rookie competition?

Has to be Buemi.

Remember that his first GP was very impressive same as Kobayashi but he has continued to be quick and has impressed me. Koba has only had one race and we're getting carried away, he'll be a rookie next season and we'll see how he does then.

Always liked Buemi, he was also very fast with testing.

The debutrace of Buemi was very good. He finished 7th in Aussieland!!!! He is the only 2009 Rookie to score points in their first race. Only the big ones (Hamilton, Vettel) scored points in their debut race!

F1 Debut races
1. Buemi 7th AUS GP 2009
2. Vettel 8th USA GP 2007
3. Hamilton 3rd AUS GP 2007

To be fair, he was the only rookie ever likely to score points in their first race. Alguersuari and Grosjean got no testing at all. Kobayashi tested during the pre-season but obviously nothing following that.

Webber, Raikkonen, Glock, Luizzi, Rosberg and even Bourdais have scored on their debut.

My rookie of the year is
Buemi; to score 6 points in the worst car on the grid is some effort.

I apologise as i hadn't seen this thread. Thanks.

Sebastian Vettel.