Alan Henry's Top 100 Formula One Drivers (Possible Spoilers)

[Super Hans]

Alan Henry's latest book, The Top 100 F1 Drivers of all Time, is sure to put the cat amongst the pigeons and create plenty of debate. Here are the Top 100.

Those who wish to wait for the book, look away now.

1. Moss
2. Clark
3. Senna
4. Prost
5. Ascari
6. Fangio
7. Rosemeyer
8. Stewart
9. Nuvolari
10. Hakkinen
11. M. Schumacher
12. G. Villeneuve
13. Amon
14. Brooks
15. Reutemann
16. Varzi
17. Fittipaldi
18. Brabham
19. Ma. Andretti
20. Lauda
21. Rindt
22. Piquet Sr
23. Moll
24. Surtees
25. Peterson
26. Lang
27. Gurney
28. K. Rosberg
29. Raikkonen
30. Hamilton
31. Mansell
32. Alonso
33. Carracciola
34. Pironi
35. Ickx
36. Alan Jones
37. Hunt
38. P. Hill
39. D. Hill
40. Hawthorn
41. Farina
42. Scheckter
43. Wimille
44. G. Hill
45. Cevert
46. Berger
47. P. Rodriguez
48. Behra
49. J. Villeneuve
50. R. Rodriguez
51. Regazzoni
52. Hulme
53. Alesi
54. Montoya
55. Pace
56. Chiron
57. Revson
58. Siffert
59. Coulthard
60. Massa
61. Gonzalez
62. Bellof
63. de Angelis
64. Bandini
65. Patrese
66. Tambay
67. Button
68. Barrichello
69. Brundle
70. Warwick
71. Seaman
72. Depailler
73. Collins
74. McLaren
75. Alborete
76. Irvine
77. Ginther
78. Beltoise
79. Servoz-Gavin
80. Boutsen
81. Arnoux
82. Brise
83. Pryce
84. Ireland
85. Trulli
86. Watson
87. Musso
88. Sommer
89. Hailwood
90. Salvadori
91. R. Schumacher
92. von Trips
93. Lewis-Evans
94. Laffite
95. Castellotti
96. Taylor
97. Courage
98. Johansson
99. Mass
100. Redman

Wot no Baumgartner?

[Pro Racer]

how the hell can Hamilton rate above Alonso and the other champion drivers behind him at the moment he has only had one year in F1 yes it was great but does he deserve to be above some of the others? Button 1 race win and a handful of podiums and Trulli??? Haikkenen above Shumi both great but i think the way Shumi turned Ferrari around and has 7 WDC's next to his name he shoukld be ahead.

[Bononi]

Ok, it would be interesting to see what was the criteria to make this ranking, that would give basis for some discussion here otherwise will be talking to the wind...






And ranking like that are no more than a personal take of an expert.

[Super Hans]

Originally Posted by Bononi

And ranking like that are no more than a personal take of an expert.

Yes, but that goes without saying. It makes no claims to be anything other than the personal opinion of an albeit highly-regarded motorsport writer.

[Marbot]

It is presumably a ranking for the authors top one hundred drivers who he feels were the 'best drivers' and not necessarily having anything to do with world championships etc.

[Sev]

Hah. Ralf is on the list. It's clearly the workings of a mad man.

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by Super Hans

Yes, but that goes without saying. It makes no claims to be anything other than the personal opinion of an albeit highly-regarded motorsport writer.

That's for sure, but there's no room for discussion without the "how" he got to come to that list, that's the point.

[strider]

Lists like this one are always interesting, but always controversial. I suspect Nigel Roebuck would also put Moss at #1, but it is entirely a subjective opinion.

By and large, the top ten in such lists remains the same, even though the order will be different. Normally M Schumacher would be in there, but I think Alan Henry has knocked him back for his lack of on-track professional courtesy, shall we say.

During the week I have read a couple of articles about the book, one by Henry himself and the other by Mark Hughes. One of them made the point, which is a good one, that although Fangio's record is statistically phenomenal, he was almost always in the best car. In contrast, Moss was not.

I expect this thread will end up in Armchair Enthusiast, where it will run and run.

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by strider

Normally M Schumacher would be in there, but I think Alan Henry has knocked him back for his lack of on-track professional courtesy, shall we say.

Yes, that must be the reason, but to be fair to all, Senna should be close (or closer) to him, and Fernando Alonso certainly down the list or even out of it.

[Knowlesy]

I don't think it is too bad a list actually, not a lot to disagree with. I'd put Prost ahead of Senna though.

[Ralf's Girl]

Fascinating list - I'm going to have to buy the book to read the explanations!

A few things strike me about it:

- Schumacher so low down despite his incredible record. I can only assume it's because of his unfortunate ability to attract controversy.
- Hamilton in 30th - I think he's got potential to be one of the best ever, but I personally think it's a bit soon to be considering him a better driver than, say, Mansell.
- I can only assume he was getting desperate when he got into the 80s, having put Trulli at 85.
- Where's Sakon Yamamoto?

[ralf fan]

I would put Michael somewhere in the top 10 and ahead of Hakkinen. Hamilton being ahead of Alonso and Mansell is laughable at this stage of Lewis' career.

[Knowlesy]

If we are talking pure speed, Hakkinen was superior to Michael. Achievements wise, Schumacher is superior to Hakkinen. Unfortunately, one of these drivers resorted to some pretty poor stuff at times.

The same reason I'd put Prost ahead of Senna, similar skill and speed but Prost just did it cleaner.

It is important to note that this is not a list of drivers who are the best statistically. Statistics are a small part of things and far too much importance is placed on them these days.

[Mr Pink]

The book will have motivation for every drivers spot on the list right? In that case I will probably buy it.

[Super Hans]

Originally Posted by Ralf's Girl

- Schumacher so low down despite his incredible record. I can only assume it's because of his unfortunate ability to attract controversy.

Schumacher's insistence on a subservient team-mate was also a big factor, apparently. Personally, although I'm not Schmumacher's biggest fan, he'd walk into my Top 5.

[safc_fan89]

Trulli on it? Ralf on it? Can't say I will be taking an interest in this book if that's what he thinks.

[Knowlesy]

Alan Henry often talks sense. It will be worth it, although miss out because of an opinion if you wish.

I think Alesi is way too high, but I'll still get it. I think everyone will find points they disagree with - it is objective you know.

[Bononi]

Yeah, that will be very interesting to read why he rates some drivers like that...

[Chiefy]

Ralf Schumacher had some good seasons. I don't think his making the top 100 is unreasonable. I'm far less sure about Alesi's ranking, or indeed Hamilton's or Button's.

Good call with Hakkinen, though.

[paddy]

There's no way I'd have Moss there. His record simply does not rate the top 10 even. It's the opinion of a certain generation, but wholly wrong in my view.
I agree that stats aren't everything, but 15 wins and no championship against even Nigel's record of 30+ and 1 champ + indycar shows Moss to be overated. I also read somewhere that he was not mechanically aware and tended to break cars as a result.

[Peter Mallett]

First thoughts. Damon ahead of his dad? I'm going to read this one.

[Super Hans]

Originally Posted by paddy

It's the opinion of a certain generation, but wholly wrong in my view.

It's the opinion of a generation who were around to watch him race. If you were too young to see the likes of Moss (or even Villeneuve) in action, then the cold, hard statistics will always paint an underwhelming picture.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by paddy

There's no way I'd have Moss there. His record simply does not rate the top 10 even. It's the opinion of a certain generation, but wholly wrong in my view.
I agree that stats aren't everything, but 15 wins and no championship against even Nigel's record of 30+ and 1 champ + indycar shows Moss to be overated. I also read somewhere that he was not mechanically aware and tended to break cars as a result.

"Pidgeon", "cat", "set", "the" and "among" qre the words that come to mind here.

[Osella]

Of course it's someone's personal opinion. It'd be flawed without Trulli and Alesi in my view, and I'd rank Reubens higher, doubtless that'd be laughable in some folks' eyes. Who cares. I don't own the book, but I once browsed a Moss tome, and all his results were printed in full, not just F1. A cursory glance suggested that he achieved either a pole, fastest lap or win in just about every race he entered.

Can't wait to read it.

[Peter Mallett]

Likewise I wouldn't put those two (Trulli/Alesi) in the top 200, but as you say, it is a personal opinion.