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F1 Greatest Drivers

Its hard to decide who was the F1 greatest drivers because the era of their dominance doesn’t coincide with all the other F1 greats. However we can say that F1 greats have to prove themselves to earn that title. Whether getting the most win of his career, poles, wet weather prowes or just transcending the limits of your car. These are the traits and characteristic that F1 greats should possess. So who are the greats? Well these drivers were certainly the best drivers when they were racing:

Michael Schumacher: He owns all the records in the book and by far the favourite of the new generation of formula one drivers. His F1 career started with Jordan team which was a backmarker. Nevertheless he quickly moved to Benneton and started to rack up some podium finishes and victories.

In 1993 he proved to the critics that he is well match for Ayrton Senna in some races, and ended up third in the drivers title in the end of the season. The following season he won the championship albeit with a controversy, (Schumacher ramming Hill’s Williams) then 1995 he dominated completely with the Renault supplying the engines for Benneton. Despite his 2 world titles, he decided that he wants try this taste of success with another team. So he quickly moved to Ferrari which at the time was in doldrums; moreover, It took 4 years of wait to get another world championship. Finally in 2000 - 2004 he and his Ferrari team decimated the competition. Schumachers success came from his own motivation, intelligence, work ethic, dedication and determination. These qualities propelled him to win races more than any F1 drivers in the history.

Juan Manuel Fangio: Highly regarded as the maestro, a truly fitting name for a man with such a great talent. Unlike the new generation of Formula 1 cars these days that have traction control, launch control, carbon fiber monocoque and ground shattering down force. In the olden days it was extremely difficult and dangerous to race because Formula 1 cars were not safe at all and it drives like a truck. Fangio was at his best when he was at his forties, defying his aging body and just racing to the fullest is something worth applauding. The most memorable race was at Nurburgring in 1957 in his Maserati. His mechanics ruined his pit stop, and he was a full minute behind the leaders when he emerged from the pits. Victory looked slim but his subsequently fast lap times utterly demolish the gap and by the time he finished, he was ahead of the race leader. This epic victory is just a exemplification of his talent and bravery. This race led him to attain his fifth and final title which was a spectacular way to end a illustrious career.

Alain Prost: Prost nicknamed, ” the professor” because of his way of driving. On normal circumstances he will drive conservatively and rather carefully. Yet, his style of driving didn’t diminish his greatness, moreover, he was also fast in race day. Only Prost’s genuine pace and mind power can match the menacing Senna. Prost won world championship titles in 1985 and 1986, 1989, 1993 but these titles didn’t come to him by luck. He had to fight the best racing drivers at the time. Drivers such as: Niki Lauda, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, and Senna whom he had the most feud with. Only Schumacher and Fangio won more titles than Prost yet, this does not justify the fact that he is not as good as Schumacher. Because Prost always had someone capable of depriving him for the world title.

Ayrton Senna: Some say that he is the greatest driver of all time, but that’s just an opinion. Senna was bestowed with an incredible amount of talent and charisma. Even in his first season in Formula 1 he was already proving to be more competitive than any of the backmarkers. For instance in 1984 driving for Toleman in Monaco Grand Prix, it was a nightmare for most of the drivers because of the torrential downpour. The rain didnt affect Senna at all, this actual gave him a chance to prove even in a inferior car, he can score points. The next season with Lotus, he proved that he was the talent worth to be reckoned. Having poles in most occasion and in some races, winning it. He was arguably the fastest man in one lap stint. He had such an incredible amount of precision coupled with an astounding speed and control. The prodigy drives the car as if it was his own body connected to the car itself. His one lap supremacy was vindicated when he amassed an 65 pole position in 162 Grand Prix. He also was the supreme master of wet weather racing. He won many races in the raining condition; furtheremore, the most notable display of his wet weather driving prowess was in 1993 European GP at Donnington. He could only muster 5th place on the grid due to his cars limitations. The Williams and the Bennetons had more horsepower than Senna’s Mclaren. Depites this defiency, he defied the cars limitation and transcended its cababilities. He won that race with grace and undeniably the greatest drive of his career.

These were the drivers worthy to be called the greats and also for future Formula 1 drivers to emulate.

Jacobson has a wealth of knowledge about automobiles and also a f1 fanatic. He partakes in many auto crossing and tracks days; furthermore, he is a medical assistant at a large hospital firm. His passion for racing was magnified throughout the years and hoping to make it out in professional level. In the mean time medicine pays and racing is still a hobby.

By Mack Jacobson

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