Originally Posted by keysersoze
The quintessential modern grand prix driver is obsessed with every aspect of the sport: mental acuity, physical training, technical aspects of the chassis as well as the engine, interpersonal communication skills, team building, and perhaps a host of things I haven't even imagined.
Many grand prix drivers from a bygone era either got extremely lucky with an abundance of natural talent, got by through being outstanding in a particular aspect, or else failed because they were unable (or ignorant) of how to make the best of their abilities.
As you mentioned in another thread, Lauda perhaps pioneered this approach, (taking notes from Clark and Stewart). Prost IMO outdid Niki at his own game, and Schumacher is the most recent epitome of this approach.
I see Kimi more as a throwback to the classic 70s driver, like Hunt, Reggazoni, Depailler, Villenueve, K. Rosberg, and perhaps Gilles and Ronnie.