F1 rookie 2002? - have your say... the response.

The 2002 Formula One season may be over, but last week we at Crash.net asked for your views on the F1 rookie of the year.

What follows then is your thoughts on who was best and who just didn't make the grade...

The replies we received didn't single out any one driver conclusively... however luckily the Crash.net poll also asked -"Who was the F1 rookie of the year?" and over 2000 people voted.

Mark Webber got the most of the votes - and while it was only just, it makes him the Crash.net F1 rookie of 2002. The Australian who finished fifth in his debut race, and who consistently thrashed his team-mate Alex Yoong, got 40 per cent of the vote.

Felipe Massa - who was the highest scoring rookie in terms of points - was next best with 36 per cent, then came Takuma Sato with twelve per cent of the vote, Anthony Davidson eight per cent and Allan McNish was left with just four.

So how did some of you justify your votes? Read on...

"In my mind there is no doubt Mark Webber should be rookie of the year as, although his fifth place in Melbourne was mainly due to luck, he did hold off the experienced Mika Salo and kept the thing on the track in a race where he would experience pressure like never before - his first grand prix which just so happened to be his home grand prix. Felipe Massa? Flattered to deceive and was a bit wild. Allan McNish? Should have scored a point or two and was constantly slower than Salo. Anthony Davidson? Can't be judged on two DNFs. Takuma Sato? Salvaged his season with fifth in Japan, but no-one was as consistent and controlled as Mark Webber."

Martyn Goss (24) - British.

"For Anthony Davidson, two races is not really enough to gauge his undoubted talent. Torn between the desire to show his pace and bringing the car home, Davidson had little warning that he would be sitting in for Alex Yoong, and yet was around half a second off Mark Webber - no mean feat. 5 out of 10 - absenteeism must be addressed.

"Felipe Massa promised much, and gave the odd indication of real pace, but far too often appeared to be operating at his limit when in the car - leading to far too many incidents of one sort or another. Peter Sauber must have the patience of a saint - or an enhanced bank balance from Massa's backers. A fraught debut, but if he can cling on to a seat for 2003, one he may build on. 5 out of 10 - must try harder.

"Allan McNish has waited many years for his F1 debut - but appeared to lose out in the mental game with experienced team-mate Mika Salo. The Scot was more than competent - but not outstanding, and there are an awful lot of drivers in that category. Sadly, will be leaving F1 with a bang. 6 out of 10 - will be missed.

"Takuma Sato burst into Formula One straight from British F3 - a big jump for any driver. Even though he was in the 'family' atmosphere of the Jordan team, Sato seemed to take his time to get on the pace, and looked overwhelmed at some stages of the season. Then it all seemed to fall into place at the final race, where, despite the pressure of it being his home Grand Prix in F1-crazy Japan, he drove the Jordan into the points and duly took the crowd adulation with some aplomb. A good first year. 7 out of 10 - keep it up.

"Mark Webber came into the Minardi drive - not one of the most highly cherished in F1 - having raced almost everything on wheels other than a Grand Prix car. That the Aussie was often to be seen hassling the cars of teams with budgets several times that of Minardi's speaks volumes not only for the value of a sound car - but for Webber's skill and aggression in driving it. A great debut - 8 out of ten - well done!"

Dennis Allard.

"Formula One's 2002 rookie contingent proved that there is talent outside the old hands that continue to demand the best seats in the sport, although it may be hard to decide exactly who is the best until each has had more time to show what they can do.

"Mark Webber certainly began the year with a bang, but was prevented from doing anything more by a limited Minardi budget. In my opinion, his personal performances also tailed off towards the end of the year - dreaming (or having nightmares) about Jaguar in 2003 maybe?

"Allan McNish came to F1 with a reputation in sportscars, but was never really afforded a fair crack of the whip in the fledgling Toyota team. Like many others, I feel it is unfair that the Scot should be dropped after just one season, particularly as Mika Salo had apparently opted out of the Toyota programme, and I hope he gets the chance to show what the team is missing somewhere else in 2003.

"Anthony Davidson had too little time to show what he was capable of and, although he pushed Webber closer than Alex Yoong had managed pre-Hungary, still has to convince me that he is Britain's successor to Jenson Button...

"Which leaves the two drivers in the highest profile seats... Both Takuma Sato and Felipe Massa may have been expected to do more with the material at their disposal than their peers, but also had the extra burden of learning many of the tracks. This, however, did not stop them from giving it their all - often with spectacular results. In terms of sheer visual excitement, this pair would get my vote as rookie of the year in a season when Formula One proved rather less than stimulating.

"It is a shame, therefore, that Massa looks likely to sit out 2003. Don't let a similar thing happen to Taku...."
Wilson Fyrre - British.

"For me Felipe Massa was the best F1 rookie as he was the most exciting one to watch and drove better than his teammate. Sure he made mistakes, but that's what your rookie year is all about. When he wasn't making mistakes he was fast, fast, fast.

"Mark Webber was solid, but was he really that great? Anyone would look good next to Alex Yoong.

"Takuma Sato improved well through the season and definitely deserves to be in F1.

"Allan McNish is a nice Scotsman and there's already one too many of those in F1 - solid but not astonishing.

"Anthony Davidson had a limited chance, but did nothing too special. He certainly doesn't look or sound like an F1 star should!"

Keith Best (23) - England.

"Look lets cut the cxxp. Mark Webber started off well and made Alex Yoong look like an old OAP. But in a Minardi - it's difficult to say how good he was...

"Anthony Davidson also did an ok job, but with only two appearances the court is still out. Allan McNish - what can you say about him? Didn't exactly set the world on fire did he?

"Takuma Sato was pxxs poor at the start of the year and then improved as the season reached its climax. His fifth place in Japan shows he has potential and if he grabs it in 2003 (if he gets the chance) good luck to him.

"Felipe Massa was 'F1 rookie king' though. He scored the most points, and while he was sometimes a little bit erratic at least he was entertaining. Go Massa, Go... shame you lost your drive... boo hoo! There's no justice in F1."

Curt Wilson - USA.

Finally Crash.net would like to thank all those people that replied to our story "F1 rookie of the year? - have your say..." - regretfully we cannot publish every letter, but we would like to a say a 'BIG thanks' to ALL those who sent in comments.