Who is the most versatile driver?
Discussion
With the Aussie V8 GC600 this weekend featuring a load of international talent from quite different race series', what do you reckon - who would you say are the best all-rounders in motorsport?
Drivers that spring to mind mostly from watching the V8s this weekend include Sebastien Bourdais (looking very sharp in a V8, as well as obviously being successful in Indy and LMP1, and not being the worst we've seen in F1), and Andy Priaulx (with his WTCC titles, again looking fast in a heavy V8 saloon and now driving the works BMW in ALMS). Stephane Sarrazin seems to be pretty versatile with his various stints in F1, WRC, LMP1 and again V8s this weekend too. Obvously Loeb has an amazing record in WRC, but has also looked decently quick in an F1 car and at Le Mans.
Sorry if this has been done already, I've done a few searches and not come up with anything.
Drivers that spring to mind mostly from watching the V8s this weekend include Sebastien Bourdais (looking very sharp in a V8, as well as obviously being successful in Indy and LMP1, and not being the worst we've seen in F1), and Andy Priaulx (with his WTCC titles, again looking fast in a heavy V8 saloon and now driving the works BMW in ALMS). Stephane Sarrazin seems to be pretty versatile with his various stints in F1, WRC, LMP1 and again V8s this weekend too. Obvously Loeb has an amazing record in WRC, but has also looked decently quick in an F1 car and at Le Mans.
Sorry if this has been done already, I've done a few searches and not come up with anything.
Tough one - what I will say though. I have much more respect for drivers who come out of their comfort zone and do other categories, than drivers who stay in the one series.
In the past drivers would do all types of series, and often the same day/weekend. Kimi, who made a brave move, is getting a lot of stick for not winning in the WRC - some people felt all he had to do was just turn up, and as an F1 Champ, would blow the WRC drivers into the weeds......
In the past Vic Elford was as versatile as any winning both Monte-Carlo, and Daytona 24 Hours in a week. Incredible!!
Of the current drivers, not sure...but following Kubica's accident - you won't find many F1 drivers doing anything.
In the past drivers would do all types of series, and often the same day/weekend. Kimi, who made a brave move, is getting a lot of stick for not winning in the WRC - some people felt all he had to do was just turn up, and as an F1 Champ, would blow the WRC drivers into the weeds......
In the past Vic Elford was as versatile as any winning both Monte-Carlo, and Daytona 24 Hours in a week. Incredible!!
Of the current drivers, not sure...but following Kubica's accident - you won't find many F1 drivers doing anything.
Schumacher is suppose to be quite handy on a bike? Did well in sports cars before F1.
Probably Loeb or Bourdais though, at least they have proven their versatility. Maybe Villeneuve could have been if he could have been arsed. In this generation you obviously need to be called Sebastian!
Probably Loeb or Bourdais though, at least they have proven their versatility. Maybe Villeneuve could have been if he could have been arsed. In this generation you obviously need to be called Sebastian!
Bourdais worth a mention quick in all sorts of stuff Indycars, Le-mans, US sportscars (Grand-am), F1 and very impressive in these Aussi V8's dont know if he's had a go in a rally car but certainly has covered off single seaters, sports and saloons. His F1 time was better than might be remembered, he was on the 2nd row of the grid at Monza.
Race of champions is the only time we get to see what the F1 drivers can do as their contracts tend to exclude them from doing other things (Kubica was unusual in doing this and so unfortunate).
Race of champions is the only time we get to see what the F1 drivers can do as their contracts tend to exclude them from doing other things (Kubica was unusual in doing this and so unfortunate).
Currently?
Simon Pagenaud.
In 2011 alone
Rallying in rallye de la vienne
Le Mans LMP1 for several different teams (diesel and petrol)
Indycars (called up at very short notice if I recall and with seperate teams)
V8 Supercars
(there may actually be more as well). His nickname has been supersub this year as he has stood in for a number of injured drivers at the last minute.
Simon Pagenaud.
In 2011 alone
Rallying in rallye de la vienne
Le Mans LMP1 for several different teams (diesel and petrol)
Indycars (called up at very short notice if I recall and with seperate teams)
V8 Supercars
(there may actually be more as well). His nickname has been supersub this year as he has stood in for a number of injured drivers at the last minute.
freedman said:
Historically
Jacky Ickx
Multiple F1 winner, and twice championship runner up
Twice World psortscar champion
6 x Le Mans wins
Paris Dakar Winner
Can Am Champion
Bathurst winner
Belgian national saloon car championm
And he started on trials bikes winning the 50cc european title
Vic Elford would top Ickx due to his rallying exploits Jacky Ickx
Multiple F1 winner, and twice championship runner up
Twice World psortscar champion
6 x Le Mans wins
Paris Dakar Winner
Can Am Champion
Bathurst winner
Belgian national saloon car championm
And he started on trials bikes winning the 50cc european title
My list would be Elford, Loeb, McRae, Rossi, Ekstrom(sp)
Ta
Jim Clark comes to my mind immediately. This Wikipedia quote shows why:
"Clark achieved 33 pole positions and won 25 races from his 72 Grands Prix starts in championship races. He is remembered for his ability to drive and win in all types of cars and series, including a Lotus-Cortina, with which he won the 1964 British Touring Car Championship; IndyCar; NASCAR, driving a Ford Galaxie for the Holman Moody team; Rallying, where he took part in the 1966 RAC Rally of Great Britain in a Lotus Cortina and nearly won the event before crashing; and sports cars. He competed in the Le Mans 24 Hour race in 1959, 1960 and 1961, finishing second in class in 1959 driving a Lotus Elite, and finishing third overall in 1960, driving an Aston Martin DBR1. He also competed in American NASCAR stock cars, driving a 7 litre Holman Moody Ford on the banked speedway at Rockingham, North Carolina on 29 October 1967."
Bruce McLaren? Multiple F1 winner, two time Can-Am Champion and 1966 Le Mans Winner.
Martin Brundle isn't so bad either - F1, 1988 World Sportscar Champion, Le Mans winner in 1990.
"Clark achieved 33 pole positions and won 25 races from his 72 Grands Prix starts in championship races. He is remembered for his ability to drive and win in all types of cars and series, including a Lotus-Cortina, with which he won the 1964 British Touring Car Championship; IndyCar; NASCAR, driving a Ford Galaxie for the Holman Moody team; Rallying, where he took part in the 1966 RAC Rally of Great Britain in a Lotus Cortina and nearly won the event before crashing; and sports cars. He competed in the Le Mans 24 Hour race in 1959, 1960 and 1961, finishing second in class in 1959 driving a Lotus Elite, and finishing third overall in 1960, driving an Aston Martin DBR1. He also competed in American NASCAR stock cars, driving a 7 litre Holman Moody Ford on the banked speedway at Rockingham, North Carolina on 29 October 1967."
Bruce McLaren? Multiple F1 winner, two time Can-Am Champion and 1966 Le Mans Winner.
Martin Brundle isn't so bad either - F1, 1988 World Sportscar Champion, Le Mans winner in 1990.
The Stiglet said:
Jim Clark comes to my mind immediately. This Wikipedia quote shows why:
"Clark achieved 33 pole positions and won 25 races from his 72 Grands Prix starts in championship races. He is remembered for his ability to drive and win in all types of cars and series, including a Lotus-Cortina, with which he won the 1964 British Touring Car Championship; IndyCar; NASCAR, driving a Ford Galaxie for the Holman Moody team; Rallying, where he took part in the 1966 RAC Rally of Great Britain in a Lotus Cortina and nearly won the event before crashing; and sports cars. He competed in the Le Mans 24 Hour race in 1959, 1960 and 1961, finishing second in class in 1959 driving a Lotus Elite, and finishing third overall in 1960, driving an Aston Martin DBR1. He also competed in American NASCAR stock cars, driving a 7 litre Holman Moody Ford on the banked speedway at Rockingham, North Carolina on 29 October 1967."
Bruce McLaren? Multiple F1 winner, two time Can-Am Champion and 1966 Le Mans Winner.
Martin Brundle isn't so bad either - F1, 1988 World Sportscar Champion, Le Mans winner in 1990.
I recall Jim Clark also drove a vintage machine to great effect , anyone remember which one ? "Clark achieved 33 pole positions and won 25 races from his 72 Grands Prix starts in championship races. He is remembered for his ability to drive and win in all types of cars and series, including a Lotus-Cortina, with which he won the 1964 British Touring Car Championship; IndyCar; NASCAR, driving a Ford Galaxie for the Holman Moody team; Rallying, where he took part in the 1966 RAC Rally of Great Britain in a Lotus Cortina and nearly won the event before crashing; and sports cars. He competed in the Le Mans 24 Hour race in 1959, 1960 and 1961, finishing second in class in 1959 driving a Lotus Elite, and finishing third overall in 1960, driving an Aston Martin DBR1. He also competed in American NASCAR stock cars, driving a 7 litre Holman Moody Ford on the banked speedway at Rockingham, North Carolina on 29 October 1967."
Bruce McLaren? Multiple F1 winner, two time Can-Am Champion and 1966 Le Mans Winner.
Martin Brundle isn't so bad either - F1, 1988 World Sportscar Champion, Le Mans winner in 1990.
Edited by mikial on Sunday 23 October 16:09
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