The Indy Awards - Round 16

Here are the results for the Independent Team awards after the Chinese Grand Prix. For more information regarding the scoring system please consult this post.

Comments
At the start of the year, I wouldn't have bet for a result like this today. Both the Toro Rossos were the leading independent team for today's Chinese Grand Prix. In addition the two sister Red Bulls were next up. In truth, Toro Rosso had been threatening to do well since last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. Not only would it have gained a win for Mark Webber and second for Vettel in these awards but both their cars would have been on the podium for the FIA championship. Mark Webber quite rightly claims that he could have been fighting for the lead had it not been for the unfortunate incident with Vettel.

Some might say that Red Bull had some bad luck in today's race. However, if one examines the lap times, the Toro Rossos were right up there with the rest of the leading independents. Vettel especially deserves his win today.

Perhaps the emergence of Red Bull and especially the Toro Rossos ( who even finished ahead of the works Renaults and BMWs) should tell us that most of the middle order teams have quite rightly put all their efforts into next year's challengers. There is nothing more to do this year for the likes of Renault, and BMW are safe in the current championship positions. I'm not sure if Williams are still developing their 2007 car at the moment but their fourth position in the FIA championships is still under threat from Red Bull. In these awards, its long gone. Williams have already taken it.

Toro Rosso just need points and today Toro Rosso have lept to seventh in the FIA constructos championship ahead of struggling Honda. Speaking of which, I was disappointed to see that with Button's point scoring position today, have pulled themselves ahead of Super Aguri. A pity for the Super Aguri then for the performances they have managed this year, they deserve to be ahead of the works team.

However, another result like today and we just might see Toro Rosso ahead of Toyota in the FIA championship. Now that would be something for the former Minardi team, wouldn't it?

Colin Chapman Award - For Best independent drivers / teams

Drivers
1. Sebastien Vettel (Toro Rosso) - 9
2. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Toro Rosso) - 6
3. David Coulthard (Red Bull) - 5 (1 for pole, 4 for race)
4. Mark Webber (Red Bull) - 3
5. Alex Wurz (Williams) - 2
6. Takuma Sato (Super Aguri) - 1
=. Nico Rosberg (Williams) - 1 (for fastest lap)

Teams
1. Toro Rosso - 15
2. Red Bull - 8
3. Williams - 3
4. Super Aguri - 1


Overall Drivers
1. Nico Rosberg - 99 (Champion)
2. Mark Webber - 69
3. Alex Wurz - 64
4. David Coulthard - 57
5. Takuma Sato - 40
6. Anthony Davidson - 31
7. Vitantonio Liuzzi - 24
8. Adrian Sutil - 19
9. Sebastien Vettel - 11
10. Scott Speed - 9
11. Christian Albers - 8
12. Sakon Yamamoto - 3
13. Marcus Winkelhock - 2

Overall Teams
1. Williams - 163 (Champion)
2. Red Bull - 126
3. Super Aguri - 71
4. Toro Rosso - 44
5. Spyker - 32


Wag The Dog Award - for independent drivers / teams who beat their respective factory teams

Drivers
1. David Coulthard - 4 (2 for qualy, 2 for race)
2. Mark Webber - 3 (2 for qualy, 1 for race)
=. Nico Rosberg - 3 (1 for race, 2 for fastest lap)
4. Alex Wurz - 2 (2 for race)
=. Takuma Sato - 2 (1 for race, 1 for fastest lap)

Teams
1. Red Bull - 7
2. Williams - 5
3. Super Aguri - 2


Overall Drivers
1. Nico Rosberg - 67
2. Mark Webber - 40
3. Alex Wurz - 37
4. Takuma Sato - 34
5. Anthony Davidson - 24
6. David Coulthard - 22
7. Sebastien Vettel - 3
8. Andrian Sutil - 2
=. Vitantonio Liuzzi - 2
10. Christian Albers - 1
=. Sakon Yamamoto - 1


Overall Teams
1. Williams - 104
2. Red Bull - 62
3. Super Aguri - 56
4. Toro Rosso - 5
5. Spyker - 4