Old F1 drivers versus current
Discussion
If you put an F1 driver of 30 or more years ago, most are over 60 now, in a modern Red Bull how many, if any, do you think would be able to set a respectable qualifying time or be within the 107% rule?
Oldtimers who would have no great problem IMHO: Prost, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti.
Oldtimers who would have no great problem IMHO: Prost, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti.
Dare I say it's Fitness over skill these days. Not particularly quick (by F1 standards) in a straight line but cornering G's are very high.
You'd be better off doing the reverse. Get current F1 drivers to try competitive laps in old cars on old tracks and see how they compare. (If exact tracks exist other than the Nurburgring perhaps)
You'd be better off doing the reverse. Get current F1 drivers to try competitive laps in old cars on old tracks and see how they compare. (If exact tracks exist other than the Nurburgring perhaps)
Fire99 said:
Dare I say it's Fitness over skill these days. Not particularly quick (by F1 standards) in a straight line but cornering G's are very high.
You'd be better off doing the reverse. Get current F1 drivers to try competitive laps in old cars on old tracks and see how they compare. (If exact tracks exist other than the Nurburgring perhaps)
This - most of the current 'safety conscious' young drivers would probably wet themselves (as would I so no real criticism inferred) in a 70s or 80s car.You'd be better off doing the reverse. Get current F1 drivers to try competitive laps in old cars on old tracks and see how they compare. (If exact tracks exist other than the Nurburgring perhaps)
Kimi and Lewis would probably love it though...........
shunaphil said:
This - most of the current 'safety conscious' young drivers would probably wet themselves (as would I so no real criticism inferred) in a 70s or 80s car.
Kimi and Lewis would probably love it though...........
Schumacher too. Let's not forget his first F1 race was '91... I think he would live the purity, as would Alonso...Kimi and Lewis would probably love it though...........
Life Saab Itch said:
I reckon Stewart, Lauda, watson, Scheckter and Piquet would probably be ok for guys from the seventies.
I don't agree. Rindt. Fittipaldi. Hill. Brabham. Ickx. Cevert. Peterson. And they're just the drivers who drove in 1970.
However, it's a sacriledge to suggest that Villeneuve wouldn't have been quick. In fact, I suspect he may have been a multiple world champion in todays F1. The accident at Zolder would never have happened in today's formula.
Jez
Fire99 said:
Podie said:
Didn't Brundle drive a car a year or so ago and say it was gutless? (or words to that effect)
Yep, Brundle has been quoted saying the current V8's are "Gutless and Peaky" 
though i'd love to think past drivers would be great, young drivers have more chance than ever before to become a racing driver.
it is becomeing more and more accessible as more people are able to drive, and so the pool of talent grows.
Just because today's cars are not the fastest, does not reflect how good the drivers are.
it is becomeing more and more accessible as more people are able to drive, and so the pool of talent grows.
Just because today's cars are not the fastest, does not reflect how good the drivers are.
I would like to see some of our younger drivers try to qualify a 1986 1000bhp turbo at Monaco.....If you're quick, you're quick but some acclimatisation time might be needed , especially the tricky business of changing gear.And I am sure Jim Clark would take more than a lap or two to get used to the myriad controls on a Red Bull steering wheel. The Rindts and Fangios would be gobsmacked by the size of the run off areas and the Hamiltons and Vettels would be equally horrified at the lack of them at lost circuits like Clermond Ferrand or Rouen.
Fire99 said:
Yep, Brundle has been quoted saying the current V8's are "Gutless and Peaky"
One thing that irritates me with Brundle is when he does a pre race track discussion with a driver and says something like "How do you guys build up the courage to take the corner at 150mph?" or "How do you see the other cars in full spray racing down to the first corner?"Hang on Martin, you've done it in cars more likely to bite your head off and with fewer safety assists. It's as if Sky have told him to lose his racing history.
SlipStream77 said:
If you put an F1 driver of 30 or more years ago, most are over 60 now, in a modern Red Bull how many, if any, do you think would be able to set a respectable qualifying time or be within the 107% rule
Based on Niki Lauda's attempt in 2002 I would say that none of them would come close.Lauda was nearly 53 and had been retired for 17 years.
He spun twice in the first 3 laps.
His best time was 15 seconds off the pace (around 120% of the fastest time).
I just listened to Jacky Ickx answering a similar question. His response to 'is a modern machine easier to drive' was 'no'. He was saying something along the lines of...'In his era, the cars felt faster in a straight line, but modern F1 drivers have to more consistent lap after lap and think strategically about fuel saving etc. Modern F1 cars are easier to change car, but need much smoother inputs'.
He did also add that he recently took an Auto Union early F1 car around Spa and found that a scary experience with no seat belts etc and that those guys deserve huge respect.
He did also add that he recently took an Auto Union early F1 car around Spa and found that a scary experience with no seat belts etc and that those guys deserve huge respect.
Moley RUFC said:
One thing that irritates me with Brundle is when he does a pre race track discussion with a driver and says something like "How do you guys build up the courage to take the corner at 150mph?" or "How do you see the other cars in full spray racing down to the first corner?"
Hang on Martin, you've done it in cars more likely to bite your head off and with fewer safety assists. It's as if Sky have told him to lose his racing history.
He's asking questions for the viewers at home, not for himself. Hang on Martin, you've done it in cars more likely to bite your head off and with fewer safety assists. It's as if Sky have told him to lose his racing history.
coppice said:
I would like to see some of our younger drivers try to qualify a 1986 1000bhp turbo at Monaco.....If you're quick, you're quick but some acclimatisation time might be needed , especially the tricky business of changing gear.And I am sure Jim Clark would take more than a lap or two to get used to the myriad controls on a Red Bull steering wheel. The Rindts and Fangios would be gobsmacked by the size of the run off areas and the Hamiltons and Vettels would be equally horrified at the lack of them at lost circuits like Clermond Ferrand or Rouen.
Would make no difference, top racing drivers will take whatever is on hand and drive it on the limits, the fact is safe or not makes no difference at all, it's one thing you never think of as a driver, when you do it's time to quit.Todays cars corner far far faster than the machines of old, end of.
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