Top 5 greatest drivers in all disciplines
Discussion
As its been a long night shift I've found my mind wandering to various random topics, one of which being this one. Who are your top 5 drivers over all disciplines of Motorsport? For example drivers who've won at more than one form, who've shown talent or just been downright entertaining in any race car they've driven?
Mine in no particular order are -
Jim Clark - whether it be touring cars, single sweaters or rallying the man was a god behind the wheel.
John Surtees - A champion on 2 wheels and 4, one of the most talented men ever to set foot on a race circuit.
Graham Hill - A man, like surtees also, whose achievements will never be matched again, winner of Le Mans, Indy and Monaco and F1 WC also.
Sebastien Loeb - although 'only' a rally champion, his speed in every other vehicle he sits in always seems to be outstanding, his performances already in GT's this year alone are testament to that.
Valentino Rossi - again like Loeb, although 'only' a champion in a single discipline, his pace in all race cars is usually impressive at least, be it rallying, F1 cars or most recently even a NASCAR test.
I'm sure many will disagree and some will name drivers I didn't even spare a thought to, mostly due to a lack of knowledge probably, but hopefully this will spark a bit of light hearted debate and not turn into another F1 tyre/BBC vs Sky thread at least.
Mine in no particular order are -
Jim Clark - whether it be touring cars, single sweaters or rallying the man was a god behind the wheel.
John Surtees - A champion on 2 wheels and 4, one of the most talented men ever to set foot on a race circuit.
Graham Hill - A man, like surtees also, whose achievements will never be matched again, winner of Le Mans, Indy and Monaco and F1 WC also.
Sebastien Loeb - although 'only' a rally champion, his speed in every other vehicle he sits in always seems to be outstanding, his performances already in GT's this year alone are testament to that.
Valentino Rossi - again like Loeb, although 'only' a champion in a single discipline, his pace in all race cars is usually impressive at least, be it rallying, F1 cars or most recently even a NASCAR test.
I'm sure many will disagree and some will name drivers I didn't even spare a thought to, mostly due to a lack of knowledge probably, but hopefully this will spark a bit of light hearted debate and not turn into another F1 tyre/BBC vs Sky thread at least.
For entertainment value... I have fond memories of watching Jean Ragniotti rallying Renault 5 maxi turbo's driving like a god, and also him winning a touring car race in a Renault executing a 360 spin crossing the finishing line.
Also Marc Duez, rallying an E30 M3 on tarmac, proper RWD precision.
Henri Toivanen was said to be the only man who could make a Lancia Delta s4 "dance" so he deserves praise for greatness.
And pretty much anyone driving Group B machinery really, including Ari Vatanen doing Pikes Peak in the Pioneer 405 T16, legendary stuff.
For modern F1, its harder for me as the cars corner like Scalextric so little flair, you have to really look at who you think is going to risk life and limb to come 17th instead of 18th and not just plod around after the race has long since been lost. Those guys who drive balls out 100% just because they could and you would never rule out are Gilles Vileneuve, Mansell, Shumacher, Hamilton, and Vettel. And I loved watching Kobayashi, he was lively at times to say the least. I wish McLaren would retire Button and stick Kobayashi in that car!!
Sorry if some of these are a bit leftfield but I am not basing on trophies, championships and results, just excitement and entertainment.
If you are speaking purely for greatness I would have to say ALL the guys of Stirling Moss's era, Fangio, Surtees et all. These guys genuinely had a danger of death every time they stepped in a racing car, and drove at speeds most of us still cannot comprehend with NO safety considerations whatsoever. They are the greatest for me no question.
Also Marc Duez, rallying an E30 M3 on tarmac, proper RWD precision.
Henri Toivanen was said to be the only man who could make a Lancia Delta s4 "dance" so he deserves praise for greatness.
And pretty much anyone driving Group B machinery really, including Ari Vatanen doing Pikes Peak in the Pioneer 405 T16, legendary stuff.
For modern F1, its harder for me as the cars corner like Scalextric so little flair, you have to really look at who you think is going to risk life and limb to come 17th instead of 18th and not just plod around after the race has long since been lost. Those guys who drive balls out 100% just because they could and you would never rule out are Gilles Vileneuve, Mansell, Shumacher, Hamilton, and Vettel. And I loved watching Kobayashi, he was lively at times to say the least. I wish McLaren would retire Button and stick Kobayashi in that car!!
Sorry if some of these are a bit leftfield but I am not basing on trophies, championships and results, just excitement and entertainment.
If you are speaking purely for greatness I would have to say ALL the guys of Stirling Moss's era, Fangio, Surtees et all. These guys genuinely had a danger of death every time they stepped in a racing car, and drove at speeds most of us still cannot comprehend with NO safety considerations whatsoever. They are the greatest for me no question.
Your list missed the greatest all-rounder in history - Stirling Moss. F1,F2,F3, sports cars, GT cars, saloon cars, rallies, hillclimbs, "mudplug" trials, record breaking at Bonneville.......
And also one of my favourites - Mario Andretti. F1 and sports cars in Europe, plus anything with wheels in the States. And I mean anything - the guy just loved to race cars. Midgets, Sprint cars, Oval cars, Stock cars - and he was mighty quick in all of them.
And also one of my favourites - Mario Andretti. F1 and sports cars in Europe, plus anything with wheels in the States. And I mean anything - the guy just loved to race cars. Midgets, Sprint cars, Oval cars, Stock cars - and he was mighty quick in all of them.
Very cool thread which sadly highlights how the last 20(?) years of top level motorsport does not hold the same freedom as racers of old, with the exception of a handful of drivers whom have simply took the opportunity presented, Loeb, Raikkonen, Rossi, Kubica...
Other than the names already mentioned, Mansell springs to mind, taking the IndyCar title back-to-back with the F1 championships, not bad going at all.
For a bit of fun - I must add that I do not watch nor enjoy Top Gear from the last few years - however the F1 star in a car has always caught my attention. While i'm sure the Liana(?) isn't a technical tour-de-force and the F1 drivers may say they are simply 'having fun' i'm still in awe to see Hamilton and Vettel topping the times.
Provide those boys with an engine and four wheels and they will deliver.
Other than the names already mentioned, Mansell springs to mind, taking the IndyCar title back-to-back with the F1 championships, not bad going at all.
For a bit of fun - I must add that I do not watch nor enjoy Top Gear from the last few years - however the F1 star in a car has always caught my attention. While i'm sure the Liana(?) isn't a technical tour-de-force and the F1 drivers may say they are simply 'having fun' i'm still in awe to see Hamilton and Vettel topping the times.
Provide those boys with an engine and four wheels and they will deliver.
CocoUK said:
While i'm sure the Liana(?) isn't a technical tour-de-force and the F1 drivers may say they are simply 'having fun' i'm still in awe to see Hamilton and Vettel topping the times.
Provide those boys with an engine and four wheels and they will deliver.
Would love to see how much quicker Loeb would be over the two upstarts Provide those boys with an engine and four wheels and they will deliver.
Naming drivers who have excelled in different disciplines is dificult with modern drivers as most seem to have come through the karting to single seater route, clearly there are exceptions, Kimi and Rossi with rally driving spring to mind and I am sure there are others.
Former era drivers that spring to mind are Surtees, Moss, Clark, Hailwood, Gerry Marshall is worthy of a mention too.
Former era drivers that spring to mind are Surtees, Moss, Clark, Hailwood, Gerry Marshall is worthy of a mention too.
Few in recent years I've quite admired across multiple disciplines:
Sarrazin
Montoya
Bourdais
Franchitti
Loeb
Muller (Y)
Kristensen
Grosjean
The likes of TK have turned up at Goodwood and shown amazing panache in historics too. I think Rossi's NASCAR testing performance was deeply, deeply impressive. He and Loeb are probably as natural as you'll ever find racers. Total ability in all machines. I'm sure the inclusion of Grosjean might be a surprise but he was an instant winner in GTs back in 2010 and he managed to win the ROC as well. Pretty respectable cross-polination.
Sarrazin
Montoya
Bourdais
Franchitti
Loeb
Muller (Y)
Kristensen
Grosjean
The likes of TK have turned up at Goodwood and shown amazing panache in historics too. I think Rossi's NASCAR testing performance was deeply, deeply impressive. He and Loeb are probably as natural as you'll ever find racers. Total ability in all machines. I'm sure the inclusion of Grosjean might be a surprise but he was an instant winner in GTs back in 2010 and he managed to win the ROC as well. Pretty respectable cross-polination.
RobGT81 said:
CocoUK said:
While i'm sure the Liana(?) isn't a technical tour-de-force and the F1 drivers may say they are simply 'having fun' i'm still in awe to see Hamilton and Vettel topping the times.
Provide those boys with an engine and four wheels and they will deliver.
Would love to see how much quicker Loeb would be over the two upstarts Provide those boys with an engine and four wheels and they will deliver.
chevronb37 said:
Few in recent years I've quite admired across multiple disciplines:
Sarrazin
Montoya
Bourdais
Franchitti
Loeb
Muller (Y)
Kristensen
Grosjean
The likes of TK have turned up at Goodwood and shown amazing panache in historics too. I think Rossi's NASCAR testing performance was deeply, deeply impressive. He and Loeb are probably as natural as you'll ever find racers. Total ability in all machines. I'm sure the inclusion of Grosjean might be a surprise but he was an instant winner in GTs back in 2010 and he managed to win the ROC as well. Pretty respectable cross-polination.
So long as he watches out for those jet driers Sarrazin
Montoya
Bourdais
Franchitti
Loeb
Muller (Y)
Kristensen
Grosjean
The likes of TK have turned up at Goodwood and shown amazing panache in historics too. I think Rossi's NASCAR testing performance was deeply, deeply impressive. He and Loeb are probably as natural as you'll ever find racers. Total ability in all machines. I'm sure the inclusion of Grosjean might be a surprise but he was an instant winner in GTs back in 2010 and he managed to win the ROC as well. Pretty respectable cross-polination.
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