The Best F1 Driver?
January 5th, 2008, Features
Happy new Year everyone! We trust that you had a great holiday season.
We promised a new contest and here it is…….
Who was the best F1 driver ever and why? So many drivers, from so many different era’s. Who do you think was the best?
Please submit your pick and tell us why you chose them. We will have another great prize for the best written article. The last prize was pretty cool! Get everyone you know involved!
This should be interesting
O.C.C.E
January 7th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Ayrton Senna
> 200 races
> 71 wins (35.5% of participated races)
> 114 podiums (57%)
> 93 pole positions (47%)
Senna’s stats speak for them self but it was ability to will himself to win is in my opinion what puts him ahead of everyone no matter what the era.
Wet weather racing is considered to be a great equalizer of cars; that is, the driver makes more of a difference. One of Senna’s tactics was not to change into the rain tires at the start of the rain but to keep racing using slicks. Although it made racing much more difficult Senna often gained several seconds of time ahead of his competitors because most of them were driving into pitstop to change into rains.
Intensely introspective and extremely passionate, Senna used driving as a means for self-discovery, and racing as a metaphor for life: “The harder I push, the more I find within myself. I am always looking for the next step, a different world to go into, areas where I have not been before. It’s lonely driving a Grand Prix car, but very absorbing. I have experienced new sensations and I want more. That is my excitement, my motivation.
NO QUESTION, THE ONLY ANSWER HER IS SENNA !!
January 7th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
STAT CORRECTION:
The previously listed stats included Karting & lower level formula cars… Here are Senna’s F1 stats:
> 3 Championships (1988, 1990, 1991)
> 161 F1 Starts
> 41 wins (25% of participated races)
> 80 podiums (50%)
> 65 pole positions (40%)
January 8th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I realize his stats aren’t impressive for F1 but one has to give praise to Phil Hill. His collection of FI trophies may not fill a shelf but considering he started driving long before technology, and fat wallets, has made me appreciate him. The picture I’ve included is of the Ferrari that he drove, not many of us could drive this car – no ABS, Traction Control or power steering…oh, and you probably noticed that the driver is the highest point of the car, which added survival to the challenge of the race.
Mr. Hill started like many of us, with a passion for driving anything with wheels and no money. He later got involved with Ferrari, but wasn’t offered an F1 seat until the unfortunate death of two team mates. In addition, his championship title wasn’t won by a better driven final race, it was won by the misfortune of his challenger, and team mate, being killed during the race. I can’t even imagine what that type of pressure can do to a man. Imagine getting the promotion you’ve always wanted but it took the death of you boss to get it… now, believe me, I would love to see some harm come to my boss…but.
Mr. Hill has my respect and admiration, and I’m proud to have shaken his and received his autograph. Many of you may have even seen him on the hills of California with the different tours, he seems to really enjoy coming out to play.
If any of you want to read more about Mr. Hill, I found a great bio on the Formula1 site.
http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/hall_of_fame/493/
January 8th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Sir Jackie Stewart gets my vote.
He was born in Milton, West Dunbartonshire, W Scotland, UK. He started in 99 races, and won 27 world championship races between 1965 and 1973, a record until surpassed by Alain Prost in 1987. He was world champion in 1969 (driving a Matra), 1971, and 1973 (both Tyrrell). He retired at the end of 1973, and took up a career in broadcasting. He is also expert at clay pigeon shooting, and has come close to being an Olympic selection. In 1988 he re-entered the world of motor racing, working alongside his son in the Paul Stewart Racing team. In 1997 he and his family launched Stewart Grand Prix, a venture many F1 experts thought doomed to failure. The doubters were soon proved wrong as podium success followed. Since 1996 he has been chairman of Stewart Grand Prix and he received a knighthood in 2001.
Besides, who else can say “It’s a grrrreat day for a motor car race” like him?
January 9th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Response to: The best (?) F1 driver.
To go back a few years, one has to consider the technical differences in F1 cars of ‘yesteryear’ and todays super sophisticated machines.
From smaller, narrower tires, from suspension and brakes that wouldn’t stand a chance in today’s F1 racing.
Not to forget wearing Poloshirts vs. Nomex fireretardent driving suits etc,etc.
No two way radio communication,computer generated changes.
The accomplishments of these drivers are in my opinion immeasurable!
There is one name that stands out: JUAN MANUEL FANGIO!
Again, one has to take into consideration whas is available NOW, and what was
available THEN
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.
Wernerk
San Pedro, Ca
January 9th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I must (very respectfully) disagree with Fangio. While he did win an impressive 5 titles in the 50s, you asked for the best DRIVER who competed in Formula 1…not the best WINNER. My vote therefore goes to Stirling Moss, the greatest driver who unfortunately never won the title.
An early hillclimber in a Cooper 500 (a sight to behold, no doubt), he signed with Mercedes Benz in 1955 and won the Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio, and the Tourist Trophy the same year. Over the next thirty years, he drove over 80 different types of cars in every manner of race…competitive in all, winning tons. 66 Grand Prix wins and a British Knight to boot!
No one since has shown that kind of versatility and overall ability. He was no “one-trick” pony behind the wheel.
January 10th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Michael Schumacher is the icon of a modern sports legend and at his peak, the oldest driver on the grid. His massive world wide popularity drew new fans to Formula One and his name is instantly associated with it. He didn’t come upon his fame easily: he came from very humble beginnings at a time when the Internet, YouTube and other popularizing myth machines didn’t even exist. So he made it the hard way with ambition, smarts, and talent bordering on genius behind the wheel.
For me, he took the ‘boring’ out of F1: so many races were processions. Not so with Schumacher because he always punched and bullied his way past other drivers. Like Senna, he is brilliant tactician.
At Spain in 1996, he was lapping six seconds faster than everyone else in a monstrous downpour, and he won the race. Stirling Moss said “It was not a race. It was a demonstration of brilliance.”
Schumacher is more exciting to watch than fame by the numbers. But, by the numbers he has all the records: seven-time world champion, including most drivers’ championships, race victories, fastest laps, pole positions, points scored and most races won in a single season. Schumacher is the first and only Formula One driver to have an entire season of podium finishes (2002).
We live in a time where sports heroes are instantly made famous and not so much by their talents, rather contrived marketing gimmicks. He had his share of arrogance and controversies over the years.
However, Schumacher’s has portrayed some very real character traits that anyone would admire: a sharp business aptitude without being too spoiled a brat about it; dedication to the sport, extreme physical fitness, and numerous social and humanitarian efforts including his $13 million donation to the victims of the tsunami.
So there you have it: From the picture I posted, you can instantly recognize who it is. Hmmm, what other modern F1 driver can claim that?
January 11th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Hello Bill;
Guess I am just a nostalgic ‘Old Timer’, that’s why Fangio came to mind.
No one will ever know what would have transpired, had Senna lived.
Would Schumacher been the driver he became, having to compete against Senna?
The reason for this writ however, is to compliment you for a well written and factual post about Michael Schumacher.
In my book, you’ll get the cake.
Wernerk
January 12th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Hi Wernerk
Mmmmm cake! I believe Michael Schumacher agrees with you:
When he took his sixth title in 2003 and he said, “Fangio is on a level much higher than I see myself. What he did stands alone and what we have achieved is also unique. I have such respect for what he achieved. You can’t take a personality like Fangio and compare him with what has happened today. There is not even the slightest comparison.”
n.b. In my book they are both incredible F1 sportsmen!
January 28th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Hmmm, okay it’s cheesy to vote for yourself but I gotta do it… Not because my writing is any good, but because my suggestion of Senna being the best ever is. Truly, where would he have taken his career and our astonishment if that day in San Marino never happened. Senna, period.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I am in a bit of a quandary. Like Sn8Byte, I agree that it is cheesy to vote for you. But I remember that saying of “It’s a grrrreat day for a motor car race” so clearly from my childhood that I would say Stewart just based on that.
However, in all fairness, Senna’s #’s are absolutely staggering. He was an incredible driver and his untimely death does make one ponder where his career would have gone if his life was not cut so short. His style of attack and method of driving was phenomenal and sheer joy to watch.
That being said, Schumacher was absolutely unstoppable. He was almost robotic when you look at his driving. When he was on the track, it was clear that the race was his to loose, but only if he wanted to. He was so far above the rest of the pack that it actually got me disinterested in watching Speed Channel’s coverage of qualifying; the same old thing with the same old results. It was like watching Heavyweight boxing in the 80’s.
Since I won’t vote for myself, I would have to give the top honors to Senna. I say this because he died way too young and, had he lived a normal life expectancy, I think he would have set records that would still be standing today.