bbc sport know F all about F1 (Formula 1's greatest drivers)

[CNR]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19051559
Number 10 - Fernando Alonso
Number 11 - Alberto Ascari
Number 12 - Gilles Villeneuve
Number 13 - Nigel Mansell
Number 14 - Mika Hakkinen
Number 15 - Lewis Hamilton
Number 16 - Nelson Piquet
Number 17 - Emerson Fittipaldi
Number 18 - Jack Brabham
Number 19 – Graham Hill
Number 20 – Jochen Rindt



F1 Classics: Sir Jack Brabham, the Perfect Driver | SportPulse (http://www.sportpulse.net/content/f1-classics-sir-jack-brabham-perfect-driver-4413)
F1 Classics: Sir Jack Brabham, the Perfect Driver

Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna are frequently praised for their ability to give good feedback to their engineers. Neither of these two legends of the sport, however, can match Sir Jack Brabham when it comes to car development. Brabham was not only a talented driver but also one of the best engineers in the sport.

[ShiftingGears]

I don't agree with it - but I am not surprised by some of the selections, especially the BBC ranking Mansell higher than Piquet.

[Knock-on]

It's subjective and personal taste. Reading lauda's write-up was great. Just enjoy it as a potted history of the Greats whatever order it's in.

[Big Ben]

I think I can already say this top puts Vettel way too high.

[Dave B]

BBC go do top list with exception Senna actually bad unless deny win Co Ascari feat.

Sorry, just embracing the grammar displayed thus far... :p

[MrJan]

It clearly says that it's based on the personal opinions of those at the BBC, I really don't see a problem with it, especially as these kinds of things are always just an excuse to look back at the past and show a couple of old videos. I really can't see why there's an issue with the BBC writing an article about each of these drivers, having Murray talk about them and a link to several videos of key moments from their careers. The inclusion of a number of those drivers shows some consideration beyond the last decade, something which should only be embraced within modern media.

[BDunnell]

It's subjective and personal taste. Reading lauda's write-up was great. Just enjoy it as a potted history of the Greats whatever order it's in.

The same people to whom your comment is directed ought also to use it as an opportunity to learn a bit about certain individuals — to realise, for example, that the achievements of Jack Brabham may be different to those of Schumacher, but that this does not render Schumacher automatically 'superior' (whatever that may mean).

[N4D13]

I think I can already say this top puts Vettel way too high.
Or way too low... :P He might actually not be in the top 20 - you never know! Personally, I find it extremely difficult to rate Vettel over Alonso - but you might say I'm biased, of course. Even ranking Vettel over Hamilton would be something I wouldn't fully agree with.

[TheFamousEccles]

It will be interesting to see where Alan Jones gets ranked. Going from memory (please feel free to correct me - I'm sure someone will ;) ) I think that the Autocourse annual ranked him the seasons best three years running, and in 1982 when he wasnt competing didnt rank anyone as no1 - some praise (admittedly, Villeneuve and Peroni had had their accidents that year).

[Mark]

The sole reason for compiling lists such as these is in order to generate debate such as this ;)

[MatthewF1]

The thing about Vettel is that it's uncertain if 2011 was a pure one off. The other drivers have shown greatness across many years in many different situations but it's uncertain if Vettel will do also. On the basis of being conservative I would not put him top 10.

[Big Ben]

Or way too low... :P He might actually not be in the top 20 - you never know! Personally, I find it extremely difficult to rate Vettel over Alonso - but you might say I'm biased, of course. Even ranking Vettel over Hamilton would be something I wouldn't fully agree with.

Well... that would be a surprise. The fact that Hamilton is there makes me think Vettel will make the top 20 too... At least for having 2 wdc and for all those being the youngest this and that records

[wedge]

Such lists are objective and the rankings are quite frankly close to irrelevance bar the inclusion of Alberto Ascari. How wonderful is it to see and be reminded of a post war forgotten great?

The profiles of the drivers are well written and authoritative. They're by Andrew Benson, not a flunky jobsworth who drew the short straw. He is ex-Autosport and arguably the last of hacks that made Autosport an essential read in the 1990s.

[rjbetty]

I have to say I'm not sure if Vettel should be in the top 8 yet. He is, as the BBC stated 4 current drivers are in the top 20. Hamilton and Alonso have been. Schumacher is surely another, leaving what must be Vettel. I don't think they would leave Vettel out and put Raikkonen or Jenson 8th!

It must be because he won the title at age 23 and 24, and won in a Toro Rosso at 21.

Even though he's a brat. :)

[CNR]

F1: SPEED's All-Time Greatest Formula One Drivers (http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-speeds-all-time-greatest-formula-one-drivers/)
SPEED’s All-Time Greatest Formula One Drivers

5. Jackie Stewart (1965-1973) Great Britain
6. Fernando Alonso (2001-present) Spain
7. Alain Prost (1980-1991, 1993) France
8. Stirling Moss (1951-1961) Great Britain
9. Niki Lauda (1971-1979, 1982-1985) Austria
10. Nigel Mansell (1980-1992, 1994-1995) Great Britain
11. Mario Andretti (1968-1972, 1974-1982) United States
12. Sebastian Vettel (2007-present) Germany
13. Graham Hill (1958-1975) Great Britain
14. Jack Brabham (1955-1970) Australia
15. Alberto Ascari (1950-1955) Italy
16. Mika Hakkinen (1991-2001) Finland
17. Gilles Villeneuve (1977-1982) Canada
18. Ronnie Peterson (1970-1978) Sweden
19. Emerson Fittipaldi (1970-1980) Brazil
20. Nelson Piquet (1978-1991) Brazil
21. Kimi Raikkonen (2001-2009, 2012--) Finland
22. Lewis Hamilton (2007-present) Great Britain
23. Jochen Rindt (1964-1970) (Austria)
24. James Hunt (1973-1979) (Great Britain)

[Bezza]

I have to say I'm not sure if Vettel should be in the top 8 yet. He is, as the BBC stated 4 current drivers are in the top 20. Hamilton and Alonso have been. Schumacher is surely another, leaving what must be Vettel. I don't think they would leave Vettel out and put Raikkonen or Jenson 8th!

It must be because he won the title at age 23 and 24, and won in a Toro Rosso at 21.

Even though he's a brat. :)


It would be incredulous to have Vettel ahead of Alonso. Both are double world champions at a young age. Alonso is widely regarded as the better driver, and in equal machinery, I am very confident would be the faster driver. Vettel only wins from the front. Alonso can win from the front, middle or back. He is a more complete driver, and a better person off the track too.

Not only that, Vettel ahead of Lauda????! That is just insane. Lauda recovered from life-threatening injury to win championships. Vettel has won two championships in the best car with the aid of some dodgy internal politics and a bit of luck.

[F1boat]

For me Seb is very special and deserves a good rating :) He is just a kid and has won almost as much as Alonso and so far more than Lewis Hamilton.

[Garry Walker]

BBC Sport - Formula 1's greatest drivers. Number 9: Niki Lauda (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19051559)
Number 10 - Fernando Alonso
Number 11 - Alberto Ascari
Number 12 - Gilles Villeneuve
Number 13 - Nigel Mansell
Number 14 - Mika Hakkinen
Number 15 - Lewis Hamilton
Number 16 - Nelson Piquet
Number 17 - Emerson Fittipaldi
Number 18 - Jack Brabham
Number 19 – Graham Hill
Number 20 – Jochen Rindt


Gilles 12th? I guess the seriousness of the list ends with that. He is probably closer to 120 than 12 in the list of all-time greatest drivers.


F1: SPEED's All-Time Greatest Formula One Drivers (http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-speeds-all-time-greatest-formula-one-drivers/)
SPEED’s All-Time Greatest Formula One Drivers

Alonso ahead of Prost? bieber 12th? Piquet and Fittipaldi behind Gilles? What a joke.

[Garry Walker]

For me Seb is very special

Effin hell, don't go all teenage girl over him, at least not in public.