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[FRAFPDD]

Basically a thread to see, state and explain what drivers through the history of the sport you support and if you want to those you dont support, be interesting to see any of the quieter members views that dont really wear the driver preference on their sleeve.



Alain Prost- Greatest F1 driver in History, ruffled Sennas feather easily amd outscored him two out of two times whilst at Mclaren, he also beat Niki Lauda, Damon Hill, Keke Rosberg, Nigel Mansell whilst teammates with them all, won 4 titles in an era of greats and was runner up 4 more times.


Lewis Hamilton- Pulls of stunts nobody else could do, racecraft god, from Australia 2007 he acted like a veteran in defensive and offensive driving. Respects and admires his fans, driver of the moment, all the hype surrounds him.

Kamui Kobayashi- For some reason when Raikonnen entered the sport and did well i lesser cars he was tipped as a champion, when Alonso did well in lesser cars he was tipped as a champion, when Kobayashi stands in in brazil and outraces the champion to be in his toyota, and then outscores Ferrari Protege, Quick Nick, and Veteran De La Rosa, people should stop with the hype?

He overtakes like Hamilton does, doesnt even bother with qualifying and sets up for races, consisntely scores points, has mingled with the very best of them and come out on top, beating Button in Brazil 2009, and out defending Raikonnens Ferrari the very next race, a true F1 style disgrace if he doesnt move anywhere in the future, if only as a number two, potential is an unrefined talent, Kobayashi has developed it with a blistering debut, rookie of the season follow up, and consistently impressive 2011 campaign. Also a great personality.


Fernando Alonso- Used to hate him, took off my Lewis blinkers and hes astounding, the Prost of the modern era, would love to see him win for Ferrari but only if Lewis cant. Managed to beat Schumacher and Raikonnen in their heyday, and then in a seriously outperformed Ferrair managed to just lose a title in 2010 despite having arguably the third best car. With Hamilton the outstanding talents of today.


Kimi Raikonnen- Ice creams, winning in 2007, speed, ice cool persona, what else do i need to say? Hope he comes back but i dont see it happening, even if just to a midfield team.



Jenson Button- Used to think he was useless, hardly liked him in 2009 with such a good car, proven time and time again to be a great tactician, not quite as talented as a few other drivers but a worthy world champion.

[Hammer278]

I'll just go with the ones I supported:

Lewis - copy of what you said basically...

DC - In his prime, I think he was one of the best racers out there, even better than Mika Hakkinen in some ways but just didn't get the support from Ron Dennis. Till today I wonder why....my theory is the amazing women he used to bring to the McLaren garage and Dennis was a jealous man.

Kimi - Didn't like him much when he first joined McLaren as I hadn't 'warmed' up to him, but his performance in 2003 did more than enough for me as a fan! DC dropped the ball badly but Kimi more than made up for it and almost pulled off a miracle. Very cool character and simply lightning on his day, naturally the fastest driver I've seen in F1. Don't know what happened when he joined Ferrari though. Even his WDC year, I don't think he drove as well as he did for McLaren.

Frentzen - I was an X-Files fan...and this guy looked a lot like Agent Mulder (David Duchovny). Plus the fact that he drove for Jordan, I liked the team very much as they used to be the fun and party team at the time...a mantle Redbull has taken up now.

Alesi - I simply loved it when a much faster car was behind Alesi in the Prost...he was always a major headache to pass and I loved every bit of his defensive driving. The guy had a temper too, and his tantrums added to the spectacle.

[acosmichippo]

Being my first year really following F1, I haven't latched into anyone in particular. More often than not I find myself rooting for a McLaren in the hopes of making the race or championship more exciting.

I guess if I had to pick my top three favorite drivers (based on performance and general composure), I'd go with Vettel, Button, and Di Resta in no particular order. Bruno Senna seems pretty cool as well, but I'll have to see him race more than twice.

[bud]

Ayrton Senna - Greatest driver in the history of the sport, teamed up with Prost and made him run to Ferrari with his tail in-between his legs.
Supported only McLaren and their drivers once he left no one else can compare.

[Big Azza]

For me:

Sebastian Vettel - since my first ever race watching F1, when Vettel dragged his STR from the back-row to 5th in Monaco '08, to his victory in Monza, to his race in Brazil, to what he has achieved for Red Bull. He is a fantastic qualifier, a good racer who doesn't take unnecessary risks, and a great personality. His whole junior career is also filled with many great highlights.

Jenson Button - Despised him. Generally felt he wasn't really that good until I saw his races this year. I felt he didn't deserve his title, Vettel did. Now I look back and say good for him. The Mr. Cruise-and-collect aspect of him left a very bitter taste in my mouth, but now a days I respect him for not taking unnecessary risks, being the master of strategy, and finishing regularly.

Fernando Alonso - I was blinded by hate for him as well. It really has been a tumultuous love-hate relationship. But I really appreciate how much of a complete driver he is. He is the very example of what a racer should be like. The agression, the pace, the skill, the bravery, the steely determination. As much as I hate his personality at times, I secretly want him to win a world championship at Ferrari. Also I secretly want him and Vettel to pair up now - it would be a superior team.

Lewis Hamilton - I supported him in my first season (08) and blatantly defended him. I think he has a lot of speed and determination and a lot of skill, and look forward to his rivalry with Sebastian Vettel for many years to come.

Michael Schumacher - Another one who I was blinded by hate for. In fact I despised him before I started watching F1. But do remember seeing some spectacular footage of him racing a fighter jet. That sort of sparked my interest in the sport. I've only got to know him since he came back to the sport. And when I read about his achievements - the ability he had to just be consistently fast I have no doubt he is one of the greatest ever - in fact the more I think about it - the greatest ever driver to grace the sport. His mechanical ability, fitness, speed, determination and pushing of the boundaries in my opinion makes him second-to-none of any drivers to have graced the sport in it's history.

Jochen Rindt: He was the first Senna. The make-or-break approach that ultimately cost him his life. He could have perhaps been the greatest driver to grace the sport. But we will never know. He was an orphan and had an unfortunate start to life, yet he did not let anything hold him back from being the speed-demon he was. Seriously, if not already done so, do yourself a favour and read the descriptions of him in the Formula One Hall of Fame: http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/hall_of_fame/137/ "crashing with alarming frequency"

Ricardo Rodriguez: You might say? "Who?" Well I came across this guy when I was looking through Vettel's records last week. This guy at debuted for Ferrari at 19 years of age in the ill-fated Italian Grand Prix of 1961. You can read about him on Wikipedia. Be previously was the youngest driver to grace the podium at Le Mans at 18 years of age. On debut for Ferrari he qualified 2nd behind Wolfgang Von Trips. After von Trips fatally crashed out, Rodriguez could have won his first race, for Ferrari, on debut as a teenager - a record that even Vettel would not have beaten at the same track 47 years later. Rodriguez was 19 years, 208 days old and Vettel was 21 years, 72 days old. Unfortunately he retired due to technical problems. Next year, Rodriguez was given a permanent contract with Ferrari, who used him "sparingly" because of his age. He finished second for Ferrari at his first race in an unofficial event, and 4th in Beligium, finishing 1 second behind Phil Hill. He died tragically at his first practice session with new team Lotus in 1963. I honestly believe just those few sentences alone show he is the most promising young talent to ever grace the sport - in my opinion.

Niki Lauda: I honestly cannot wait for a movie to be made about him. 1976 will forever be etched in Formula One folklore. To only come back from serious burns and continue leading the championship to the last race, only to park the car in pit lane due to safety concerns. I will never comprehend why he would do that, but obviously he saw the very face of death earlier that year. It would be seen as a cowardly move, but then to realise that it actually took sheer courage to tell his team "Sorry boys, no championship this year." An absolute class act of bravery. And you know what - I'm actually thinking that many on the grid do actually give two hoots about what Lauda has to say. Vettel did last year - look at him now. And Hamilton appears to be doing so as well.

Alain Prost: Everything FRAF said, except perhaps the "greatest driver in history" part, as I've just said Schumi is.

Emerson Fittipaldi: I only read a bit more about him yesterday. Consider the circumstances of entering an F1 team that had just lost it's 2 main drivers, and a great driver in Jim Clark before Rindt replaced Clark. Fittipaldi goes from reserve driver to team leader and wins in his 4th race, thus securing Rindt's posthumous WDC.

Jim Clark: Who I read about yesterday in a bit more detail. Yet to form my final opinion, but could also very well be the best driver in history. The death of Clark was as unthinkable as the death of Senna. And Clark got 100% of the points available to him in a season. Twice.

To be honest I can continue on with this list. Basically every race winner (except cases like Kovaleinen) or championship winner in history I have formed a positive opinion of. Honourable mentions to Kobayashi, Ayrton & Bruno Senna, Fangio, and Wolfgang von Trips - the other famous German Ferrari Driver.

[spankyham]

I think FRAFFY has got most of the modern era covered with his summary. I agree with most of what he said.

In the end of the guys who aren't racing now, it's pretty clear that Prost clearly beat the best competition. Senna's the obvious next closest driver of that era and Prost leading the points 5 times to Senna's 2 puts Alain clearly ahead on Ayrton IMO.

I'd like to give some time to the drivers from F1 history. Most of you know of my admiration for Tazio Nuvolari. He came from an era where most race meetings there was a 50/50 chance that someone competing would lose their life. It was either extraordinary passion or stupidity that drove them, but, I seriously wonder how many, if any, of the current drivers would drive in any race with those same odds and push as hard as Tazio (and the others I'm going to mention) did.

Tazio's win at the Nurbergring German GP in '35 was just legendary. Driving an outdated 2.6 litre Alfa against the 6litre Auto Unions and Mercedes of the German's he was given no chance, yet in a drive of sheer brilliance and with a little luck he won the race, totally raining on the Nazi's parade

Tazio could do it on 2 and 4 wheels, and, he would compete in Grand Epreuves as well as Hill Climbs and just about any other race that was going. He set land speed records - eg sometime in the mid 30's must have been 35 or 36 he drove for over 1klm on a country road maintaining a speed of over 320Klms! Just think of what that took and, basically a wrong gust of wind and he was dead. He also was one of the very few to take no carp from Enzo, even to the point of leaving Enzo's team for a while over what was either a pay dispute or equipment dispute (depends on which story you believe). But either way he stood up to Enzo. And despite that dispute causing them to part ways, they still remained great friends and Tazio did come back to SF.

To Tazio's name you could add Bernd Rosemeyer who reigned supreme in the heyday of the Merc and Auto Unions. Guy Moll, who died very early on in his career but was outstanding in the few races he competed in. Achille Varzi for lasting as long as he did. You can add Enzo Ferrari to the list, not only was he a hugely talented driver but had the passion and foresight to create Ferrari. There are a few other names, but I leave it at that.

In the end, no matter how much you admire current day drivers, you have give those early era drivers all the points for sheer bravery.

[Big Azza]

I was going to list Nuvolari and Jean-Eric Vergne.

But when I read "greatest drivers in this sport" for some reason I thought it was capped at Formula One and not Grand Prix racing in general.

[racechick]

My choices. Somewhat emotive but there you are. Thats me

Favourites
Ayrton- Best ever-superb natural talent
Lewis- Senna's talent
Gilles Villeneuve- same talent again-died too young
Montoya- loved him to bits, a racer
Damon Hill- supported him when I first started going to Silverstone- would have done amazing if he'd started driving younger

I also currently like Petrov, Senna, Kobi
Vettel-whislt not a huge fan ai'm growing to like and respect


Disliked
Schumacher- overrated, unfair to team mates, cheated (like him a bit more now)
Alonso- unfair to team mates, cheats and denies all knowledge

I think those are the ones i feel most strongley about.

[andrew]

Favourites

To name a few of many -

Michael Schumacher
Sebastian Vettel
Jim Clark
Alain Prost
Felipe Massa
Ukyo Katayama
Jakie Stewart
David Purley - tried to save his friend Roger Williamson from a burning wreck at Zandvoort in 1973 whilst the marshalls looked on. His attempts were sadly futile and Williamson died. Purley is a hero in my book.
Gerhard Berger
Jean Alesi

Drivers I don't support

To list 'em all -

Damon Hill
Lewis Hamilton
Nigel Mansell
Ayrton Senna
Fernando "I didn't do it" Alonso
Rubens Barrichello
EDIT - thought of another one - Jaun Pablo "I'll have seconds" Montoya

[FRAFPDD]

I love how we can all watch the same sport and find totally takes on drivers.



btw andrew how in gods name did you find a reason to hate Nigel Mansell. LOOK AT THE MOUSTACHE FOR GODS SAKE!

[andrew]

btw andrew how in gods name did you find a reason to hate Nigel Mansell. LOOK AT THE MOUSTACHE FOR GODS SAKE!

The only person who could get away with a 'tach like that was Freddie Mercury. It's either a beard or nothing!

Mansell was about as dynamic as a dying duck with gastroenteritis in a thunder storm. He's just so boring to listen too and about as exciting as the sock dust that my new socks are leaving on my carpets. I'm not a fan.

Personal choice of course.

[phil12321]

Senna- I cant agree with those who say prost was better as a racing driver. prost may have more championships (+1) but he never would have won the 89' championship if he didn't go back and cry to the fia president about senna cutting the safety chicane after he deliberately cut into the final chicane of suzuka too early when senna was making a pass which took him out and almost took senna out. When prost won in 93' he CLEARLY had the most dominate and sophisticated car of the field out of Williams. much like Vettel in the RB7 now. Senna probably wasn't the favorite amongst the officials and the governing bodies but his talent was greatly respected amongst the paddock. He did things in a car that others couldn't do like find time out of a car that he wasn't supposed to find time out of. Senna drove closer to the edge than any other driver. He was the best of the best because he won when every one doubted him and was against him.

Michael Shumacher- You seen shumi's talent early in his career when he first stepped into the Jordan at spa and when he raced at Benetton and won his first championship. Shumi had impeccable car control and sort of pioneered the use of the gas and brake at the same time to balance a formula one car (I say sort of because drivers have been doing it in rally car for a long time before but shumi was one of the first to relally use it in a two pedal car in F1). Shumi also took a struggling Ferrari team in the Beginning and help turn them into champions. His career got boring in his later years with Ferrari because they just dominated every thing but as Schumi always says' "the best driver usually gets the best car" and that he was and that he did.

Mika Hakkinen- The only driver to really take it to Schumacher in his prime. Won two drivers championships in a car the blew up all the time. Enough said.

David Coulthard-i really like david... too bad he never won a championship.. he's like the dan marino of F1. (Dan Marino who played for he miami dolphins that never won a super bowl but was just an outstanding QB)

Lewis Hamilton- Whenever Lewis really learns how to be successful in Formula 1 he will be the greatest champion this world has ever seen. He's the best in my eyes. its not just about having the best driving skill in F1 its about keeping your team, the press, the president, your manager and racing officials wanting you to win. Thats what Vettel, Prost, and Shumacher understood better than any body and thats why they won so much. Once Lewis fully understands that he will be the greatest.

There are other driver that I havent listed who deserve to be up here but either I wasnt born to see them race or dont know much about them. These are drivers that I always admired.

[FRAFPDD]

I like how somewhere along the line "dirvers you dont support" manifested into "disliked" lol.


I dont really dislike any of them, but theres a few that i think have potentially rotten personalities based on the snippets we get of them, and any of them who hate Hamilton i dont particularly like, i hear Kubica doesnt like him much, damn Kubica....


Lets try to not focus on the disliked more then those you support or else the thread will go the wrong way.



Edit: Just seen your post phil, there was hardly anything in the Senna part that didnt slag Prost off lol, it should be about why Senna is one you support not about why someone else isnt as good.

[racechick]

Well the ones I didnt/dont support are all the rest not on my 'support' list Im ambivalent about them and its pages and pages of drivers over years and years.

Then there are the ones I actively dont support becuase I dont like them. I presumed thats what you meant


I think its ok to say who we like and dont like so long as we respect other peoples choices and dont comment negatively on such choices.

[phil12321]

Edit: Just seen your post phil, there was hardly anything in the Senna part that didnt slag Prost off lol, it should be about why Senna is one you support not about why someone else isnt as good.

I understand your observation. I wasnt trying to "slag Prost off"... I think I did give reason to why Senna was better towards the end of the Senna part. It just goes to show the true rivalry between those two. IMO you cant talk about one and not mention the other because they were both fantastic drivers who beat the sh!t out of each other on the track and probably off... lol