Top 20 Greatest F1 drivers

wolfhound · 27 Aug 2012, 10:11 (Ref:3125723)

The BBC are currently going through their list of the top 20 F1 drivers of all time. They reveal one before each race and currently have got to number 10 with the top 9 to go.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17299158

As the list stands at the moment
10. Alonso
11. Ascari
12. Gilles Villenuve
13. Mansell
14. Hakkinen
15. Hamilton
16. Nelson Piquet
17. Emerson Fittipaldi
18. Jack Brabham
19. Graham Hill
20. Rindt

Four of the current six world champions are on the list with Alonso 10 and Hamilton 15. That leaves Schumacher (almost certain) Vettel, Button & Raikkonen of those currently racing so who will be the fourth one. I think it will be either Vettel or Button but...

Of the rest of the top ten I suspect the following should be on the list in no particular order

Fangio,
Prost,
Senna,
Clark,
Stewart,
Schumacher,
Lauda &
Moss.

I would put Fangio at the top with Prost 2 and Clark 3.

Has anybody got other opinions?

frostie · 27 Aug 2012, 10:44 (Ref:3125737)

Can I make a recommendation that we all submit our top ten drivers of all time and create our own list? Basically enter everything into a spreadsheet and give 10 points for the number 1 to 1 point for the 10 and create a list for everyone from the forum. Have it as a top 30 or 40(or however many drivers we end up with on the list?

I dont mind looking after it and giving a career overview for the drivers etc. Might be something worthwhile to keep us all occupied when the season finishes or something

wolfhound · 27 Aug 2012, 10:47 (Ref:3125741)

That sounds like a great idea Frostie. I also like your intros for each GP as well.

FAS33 · 27 Aug 2012, 11:03 (Ref:3125748)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfhound

Has anybody got other opinions?

Ayrton Senna x 100

BSchneiderFan · 27 Aug 2012, 11:11 (Ref:3125753)

Clark at the top. We can debate the rest.

osrg · 27 Aug 2012, 11:48 (Ref:3125769)

Hamilton in front of Sir Jack Brabham? Laughable.

Clive Brown · 27 Aug 2012, 12:17 (Ref:3125780)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

Clark at the top. We can debate the rest.

**Aysedasi** · 27 Aug 2012, 12:27 (Ref:3125785)

I have a suspicion we've done all this before.........

formerf1champ · 27 Aug 2012, 12:54 (Ref:3125794)

Ahh, I see they haven't included me yet!

Lemme guess, Ayrton Senna is No1?

Quote:

Originally Posted by osrg

Hamilton in front of Sir Jack Brabham? Laughable.

In all the years I've had an interest in motorsport, I rarely hear/read about what kind of a driver Sir Jack was. They talk about his engineering prowess, how he was an Aussie battler, the race at Sebring, but nothing about how good he was. Any insight from anyone? Maybe who, in the last 20 years, that he may've been closest to, as a driver and competitor?

formerf1champ · 27 Aug 2012, 13:00 (Ref:3125800)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

Clark at the top. We can debate the rest.

Bernd Schneider no9?

**Bononi** · 27 Aug 2012, 13:17 (Ref:3125811)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I have a suspicion we've done all this before.........

A zillion times...

nicanary · 27 Aug 2012, 13:18 (Ref:3125813)

Quote:

Originally Posted by formerf1champ

Ahh, I see they haven't included me yet!

Lemme guess, Ayrton Senna is No1?

In all the years I've had an interest in motorsport, I rarely hear/read about what kind of a driver Sir Jack was. They talk about his engineering prowess, how he was an Aussie battler, the race at Sebring, but nothing about how good he was. Any insight from anyone? Maybe who, in the last 20 years, that he may've been closest to, as a driver and competitor?

He was good, but like many champions he just happened to have the right car at the right time. Rear engine was the way to go, and the Lotus 18 was too late to the party. Some people think Roy Salvadori may have been champ in '59 if he hadn't been honourable towards Aston Martin.

A real fighter, though. Good old Aussie grit. I don't think anyone begrudged him his wins, although IMHO he didn't have the real flair of the greats.

davyboy · 27 Aug 2012, 13:36 (Ref:3125818)

Michael Schumacher is number 1 in every measure except for people's personal opinion... so maybe it should be phrased as 'your favourite Formula One driver' or something along those lines.

Paradise City · 27 Aug 2012, 13:41 (Ref:3125821)

the Greatest F1 drivers

1. Fangio
2. Clark
2. Ascari
4. Moss
5. Senna
6. Stewart
7. Peterson
8. Schumacher
9. Prost
10. Alonso
11. Rindt
12. Lauda
13. G.Villeneuve
14. Hunt
15. Fittipaldi
16. Raikkonen
17. Hakkinen
18. Gurney
19. Brabham
20. Scheckter

**Bononi** · 27 Aug 2012, 13:59 (Ref:3125825)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyboy

Michael Schumacher is number 1 in every measure except for people's personal opinion... so maybe it should be phrased as 'your favourite Formula One driver' or something along those lines.

The point is, there's no point doing that...

nicanary · 27 Aug 2012, 14:06 (Ref:3125828)

Hmm... I don't normally get involved with these "Top 20s", but I have to say - some of those were better than Mario?

And where do you place Tony Brooks? How on earth do you rate him, when by his own admission he "raced" only when the circumstances were right?

These votes never work. Even Fangio used to wait till the last moment to sign a contract, just to make sure he was getting the best car in the field. Back to the old "right car at the right time" syndrome - viz Jenson Button, Phil Hill, Nigel Mansell... etc etc.

Paradise City · 27 Aug 2012, 14:11 (Ref:3125830)

I don't think a decision made here today is going to have worldwide implications.

Let's just have a bit of fun arguing who should be the top 20.

Now will one of the mods edit my post please?

I forgot to insert Taki Inoue. I'm mulling as to whether to include him before Lauda or after?

davyboy · 27 Aug 2012, 14:16 (Ref:3125833)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bononi

The point is, there's no point doing that...

That's a point alright.

Mr Pink · 27 Aug 2012, 14:32 (Ref:3125838)

Quote:

Originally Posted by frostie

Can I make a recommendation that we all submit our top ten drivers of all time and create our own list? Basically enter everything into a spreadsheet and give 10 points for the number 1 to 1 point for the 10 and create a list for everyone from the forum. Have it as a top 30 or 40(or however many drivers we end up with on the list?

I dont mind looking after it and giving a career overview for the drivers etc. Might be something worthwhile to keep us all occupied when the season finishes or something

It seems people missed this post which would make the thread different from the others I've seen here on this topic. To get it started here's my Top 10 :

1. Senna
2. Clark
3. Stewart
4. Schumacher
5. Moss
6. Prost
7. Ascari
8. Lauda
9. Peterson
10. G. Villenueve

So to clarify: if you object to my list, make your own and then frostie (if I understood correctly) will make a Ten-Tenths top 20-30 list.

Clive Brown · 27 Aug 2012, 14:38 (Ref:3125841)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paradise City

the Greatest F1 drivers

1. Fangio
2. Clark
2. Ascari
4. Moss
5. Senna
6. Stewart
7. Peterson
8. Schumacher
9. Prost
10. Alonso
11. Rindt
12. Lauda
13. G.Villeneuve
14. Hunt
15. Fittipaldi
16. Raikkonen
17. Hakkinen
18. Gurney
19. Brabham
20. Scheckter

No Nuvolari?
No Rudolf Caracciola?
No Achille Varzi?
No Bernd Rosmeyer?
No Nigel Mansell?

And as a left-field choice, Chris Amon.

**Bononi** · 27 Aug 2012, 14:47 (Ref:3125843)

You can also check here :

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119946
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114880
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24199
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13340

nicanary · 27 Aug 2012, 14:49 (Ref:3125845)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clive Brown

No Nuvolari?
No Rudolf Caracciola?
No Achille Varzi?
No Bernd Rosmeyer?
No Nigel Mansell?

And as a left-field choice, Chris Amon.

In the original BBC remit, the choice was for F1 since inception of the World Championship for Drivers in 1950. It was just GP racing until 39/45, and I believe was called Formula A for a while in the late 40s.

Sadly, no room for the little man from Mantua.

chillibowl · 27 Aug 2012, 14:54 (Ref:3125849)

and thats the hard part for me as my knowledge of history comes from the few books i have read and posts on this website.
Moss for example is often cited as one of the all time greats, but is that based on F1 or based on being one of the best all round drivers ever?

Paradise City · 27 Aug 2012, 15:17 (Ref:3125858)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clive Brown

No Nuvolari?
No Rudolf Caracciola?
No Achille Varzi?
No Bernd Rosmeyer?
No Nigel Mansell?

And as a left-field choice, Chris Amon.

Good points. I made the implicit assumption that it was WC. If we're to include all GP drivers, yes, those pre-war greats would be on it with Nuvolari right at the top. Personally, I don't rate Mansell in terms of raw greatness although he is a driver I regard with alot of fondness. I also have trouble admitting Piquet for similar reasons although both should probably merit a spot in and around my favored Finns now that I've had time to reflect.

**Aysedasi** · 27 Aug 2012, 15:57 (Ref:3125882)

I think I'll abstain.......

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