Grapevine: Will Schumacher Win the Drivers' Award?

Formula One drivers will have a say in deciding if five-time champion Michael Schumacher is the best when they vote for the Driver's Driver F1 Award of the 2002 season at the Grand Prix party that will take place in January.

All of 2002 active racing and test drivers will have a unique chance to vote for the best driver of the year in their opinion. Their vote will remain confidential, and only the end result of all votes will be revealed in the ceremony, to be held on January 11th at the NEC Arena in Birmingham.

Since their creation in 2001, the F1 Awards have been expanded, and this year's edition will see the introduction of the 'Best Circuit' and a 'Special Safety Award' categories. The categories for this year are:

Best Driver

Best Newcomer

Best Car

Driver's Driver

Best Circuit

Outstanding Contribution in 2002

Special Safety Award

Lifetime Achievement Award

Except for the Driver's Driver award, the voting is the responsibility of a select panel of leading figures that includes Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone. The F1 Awards have the full backing of the sports administrators and will be controlled and run by a professional organising committee.