Times when a driver has surprised you ?

With an unexpected performance? I'll go first with some recent ones:

MS - Canada/Spa 2011

JB - Canada 2011

Webber - Hungary 2010

Kubica - Monaco 2010

Petrov - Australia 2011

Raikkonen/Fisichella - Spa 2009

Vettel - Monza 2008

I'm sure there are many more historically, Hill at Hungary in 1997 comes to mind.

 

Forgot about Massa at Hungary in 2008. That was a hell of a drive robbed from a engine failure. He deserved that race.

 

Barrichello surprised me the few times he won a race and didn't cry...

 

Going back a bit, H.H. Frentzen in 1999. Won France and Italy in the Jordan and came within 10 points of the WDC lead with only 3 races to go.

 

LOL!

And good point about HHF, he was awesome that season. Very fast/consistent.

 

Of late I'd say Button surprised most on here, myself not included..

 

Don't remember the year, but Button was epic on a wet track. Didn't know he was "good" until that race where he kept a steady pace and outrun everybody.

 

Also Singapore 2008, when he put it the car on pole by almost 6/10 clear of Lewis Hamilton. Very unfortunate that Ferrari screwed up his pit stop.

 

I'm surprised by how useless Massa has been for the entire last 2 seasons. After his incredible 2008, I expected his new-found consistency to go with his speed to make him a legitimate front runner. Instead, he struggled in 2009 pre-accident, and then hasn't been anywhere near as quick, consistent, or aggressive since.

 

What a race that was, JV passing him on the grass right at the end made me feel so sad for Damon

 

He struggled in 2009 because the car sucked. The accident ruined him unfortunately. I don't care what anyone says about the 2008 FIA interruptions, if you do the math the title was his if his engine didn't blow with 3 laps to go or Ferrari didn't **** up his pitstop .

Completely agree.

 

Damn gearbox screwed up, he had it won! Also, most don't remember Hill qualified 4th at Jerez that year in that turd. Stellar driving.

 

Agreed, he was out driving Kimi again in 2009 prior to the accident. That just changed him...

 

Kubica - Monaco 2008. Almost first in the qualify session..!

Best
Greg

 

Or maybe the problem is we're now comparing him to Alonso instead of an unmotivated Kimi?

I'm tapping from a different Galaxy.

 

Bingo!

Hard to really tell for sure, but I go with that, along with " Phil...... Alonso is faster than you... sorry".

 

Sutil in Monaco ... 2009? Where he drove the Force India on #4 until Kimi crashed into him.

 

'08 I believe but yes, that was a nice drive, could have really changed the course of Sutil's career had he finished.

Another one I just remembered:

Webber's 5th place at Australia in the Minardi in '02 (?)

 

The one where Damon Hill was one half a lap from winning a race in an ARROWS - and his car broke. Villneuve passed him on the last corner.

EDIT: 512 already mentioned this race, my bad.

 

Silverstone 79: Regazzoni
Monaco 84: Belloff and Senna
Spa 91: Schumacher in qualifying
Monza 2008: Vettel

 

Nicola Larini, 2nd place, 1994 Grand Prix of San Marino for Ferrari while subbing for Alesi.

 

Alonso holding Schumi off in 2005 (can't remember track...Italy I think
Vettel at Monza in the Toro Rosso or his first start at USGP after Kubica accident
Scott Speed in...oh yeah, nevermind...

 

Imola. First full F1 race I ever watched, hooked ever since!

 

!!!!
first thing that came to my mind.

 

Well, one time I got home and Kimi was eating ice cream out of my freezer.

Another time my car caught fire and Heikki ran up out of nowhere and put it out with a fire extinguisher.

Then just yesterday a 599 approached me from behind and started tailgating much too close, like it wanted to pass me. No, I'm enjoying the sight of a Ferrari in the rear view mirror. Then my OnStar car phone rang, with a caller ID originating in Italy. Huh? How did they get this number and what do they want? Curiosity compelled me to answer. It was Rob Smedley. "OK, so Fernando is faster than you. Can you confirm you understood that message?"

ohhhh, that's what you meant. sorry.