It seems that a clear winner is becoming rather difficult to judge in this contest. We really did not want to step in, having preferred that our readers choose the winning article and you did.

Was Senna was great? Undoubtedly! He would certainly have won far more races and perhaps a few more championships. One could argue the same point about Rindt, who won the F1 championship posthumously. We are of the opinion however, that Senna was perhaps one of the most focused and determined Formula One pilots ever; most certainly as focused and dedicated to the sport as was Schumacher.

We would also have to agree that no-one could say “it’s a grrreat day for a motor race” like Stewart. He may have been the smartest of the bunch. Racing was far more dangerous in his time and perhaps he was one of the few drivers bright enough to call it quits when he did. There was most likely another championship left in the Scotsman, perhaps more. Few were smoooother than Jackie.

Juan Fangio, the master. His epic drive at the Nuburgring may go down in history as the greatest drive ever. Those unfamiliar with the story may find it interesting. Chasing Mike Hawthorne and Peter Collins in the much faster Ferraris and with only 10 laps left in the 22 lap race, Fangio, driving a Maserati 250F was 51 seconds behind. He would need this win to secure his 5th World Championship.
What happened next was simply miraculous-Fangio posted the fastest lap time 9 times in succession. His posted lap time on lap 11 was 9 minutes 34.6 seconds. Every lap in succession was faster than the last and by the last lap of the race his lap time was 9 minutes 17.4 seconds!!! He was three seconds behind Hawthorne as they started the last lap Fangio passed Hawthorne on the very last lap of the race, wining the 1957 title.

But, what about those not mentioned? Niki Lauda for example: Given his last rights after his fiery crash on the old Nordschleife, ending the German Grand Prix venue on the old Ring, yet just 6 weeks later racing in South Africa. Can one question that kind of dedication? Lauda was a perfectionist like Prost and in 1984 was on the podium 9 times, Prost only ½ point behind for the championship. Prost, another great, yet unmentioned driver. In 1985 Prost was on the Podium an amazing 11 times from 16 races, wining the ’85 championship by a proverbial mile and he had competition; Senna, Alboreto, Rosberg, Lauda and Mansell.

Anyone remember Mansell? Cleaning everyone’s clock in F1 and the very next year coming to the U.S. and wining the CART championship in an un-familiar car and perhaps more importantly, on un-familiar race tracks! What does that say about Mansell as a driver? A feat never accomplished before or after. Hummmmm…….

Alan Jones anyone? In 1980 he was on the podium 10 times in 14 races, winning 5. Sounds like someone we saw come into the sport just last year, a young man by the name of Lewis Hamilton. Speaking of Hamilton, this 22 year old young man made Formula One history, accomplishing what had never been done in history of Formula One and loosing the championship by only one point in his rookie year. FANTASTIC!!

In 1983 Brazilian Nelson Piquet was on the podium 8 times winning the season over Alain Prost by just two points.

Clark. Almost enough said! Jimmy Clark may have been one of, if not the most gifted drivers ever; though another who lost his life far too early. Seems Colin Chapman killed a number of good drivers, or at least his cars did. Had Clark lived, he may have easily eclipsed Fangio’s record and may have posted a number that even Schumacher could not have matched. Hard to believe that no-one chose to write about the “Flying Scot”

Reality is this: Only a handful of drivers have the talent to pilot a Formula One car and even less, the skill needed to become world champions. Having the talent to drive a car fast does not a world champion make. The great ones have what we believe to be a sixth sense if you will, a god given talent that allows them an uncanny ability to communicate with the car. They also posses an amazing ability to play chess- a game of chess at well over 160mph, and the communication skills needed to tell the team what the car is doing so that adjustments can be made to make the car even faster. This alone is a rare talent that few have or had as the case may be. Working with the team as a part of, not THE part of, separates the great from the good.

You may find the statistics below interesting, we did,

All races
Michael Schumacher Juan Manuel Fangio
250 Races 57
91 36% Victory 42% 24
68 27% Pole 49% 28
154 61% Podium 61% 35
76 30% FastesLaps 40% 23
190 76% FinInPoints 75% 43
1369.00 54% Points 54% 277.14
2500 Points, if win all races 513

All races
Michael Schumacher Jim Clark
250 Races 74
91 36% Victory 33% 25
68 27% Pole 43% 32
154 61% Podium 43% 32
76 30% FastesLaps 37% 28
190 76% FinInPoints 54% 40
1369.00 54% Points 41% 274.00
2500 Points, if win all races 660

All races
Michael Schumacher Phil Hill
250 Races 49
91 36% Victory 6% 3
68 27% Pole 12% 6
154 61% Podium 32% 16
76 30% FastesLaps 10% 5
190 76% FinInPoints 40% 20
1369.00 54% Points 22% 98.00
2500 Points, if win all races 432

All races
Michael Schumacher Jackie Stewart
250 Races 100
91 36% Victory 27% 27
68 27% Pole 16% 16
154 61% Podium 43% 43
76 30% FastesLaps 15% 15
190 76% FinInPoints 57% 57
1369.00 54% Points 40% 360.00
2500 Points, if win all races 900

All races
Michael Schumacher Ayrton Senna
250 Races 162
91 36% Victory 25% 41
68 27% Pole 40% 65
154 61% Podium 49% 80
76 30% FastesLaps 11% 19
190 76% FinInPoints 59% 96
1369.00 54% Points 40% 614.00
2500 Points, if win all races 1509

All races
Michael Schumacher Fernando Alonso
250 Races 105
91 36% Victory 18% 19
68 27% Pole 16% 17
154 61% Podium 46% 49
76 30% FastesLaps 10% 11
190 76% FinInPoints 67% 71
1369.00 54% Points 46% 490.00
2500 Points, if win all races 1050

All races
Michael Schumacher Lewis Hamilton
250 Races 17
91 36% Victory 23% 4
68 27% Pole 35% 6
154 61% Podium 70% 12
76 30% FastesLaps 11% 2
190 76% FinInPoints 88% 15
1369.00 54% Points 64% 109.00
2500 Points, if win all races 170

Take another look at how remarkably similar Schumacher’s and Fangio’s stats are, and then take a second look at Mr. Hamilton; is there a new GREAT on the horizon?

Ok, so who won?????? Seems that the votes indicate Mr. Noonan’s article was the topper. We would also have to agree that Great champions do more than just win at their particular game of choice. Schumacher’s huge private donation to the world was reportedly larger than what the entire United States of America donated to the Tsunami cause. Now, THAT is a champion

Well done Bill……The prize…. A GREAT NEW PAIR DRIVING SHOES from SHELBY GEAR and A2z Racer gear. What size Bill?

Thanks to everyone for playing, we’ll announce the next contest soon!!

O.C.C.E