Best Number 2 Drivers
Discussion
Halmyre said:
Stirling Moss with Mercedes in 1955.
Ronnie Peterson with Lotus in 1978.
Thank God someone's knowledge of F1 goes back more than last week. If we assume 'equal number 1 ' is a contradiction in terms I'd add Graham Hill(when paired with Jim Clark ) , and also nominate Nelson Piquet (when Laudas's team mate at Brabham) and Clay Regazzoni (Lauda again , Ferrari ) . Ronnie Peterson with Lotus in 1978.
I guess the question is how you define it. I think the best no.2 traits are - being on the cars pace (ie, always following the no.1 driver close enough), consistency, compliance and the ability to regularly take the win if for some reason the no.1 wasn't in a position to. I think with this in mind, you're looking at Bottas and Barrichello, possibly Massa too. With this criteria, Kimi was quite often randomly off the pace or making odd mistakes, despite his (general) compliance, as was Irvine and to an extent Webber so I wouldn't necessarily consider them great no.2's.
Tony Brooks, possibly the best driver after Moss never to have won a world championship, and Richie Ginther, eventually a winner with Honda, and who in 1961, in the evil-handling Ferrari 156, finished only 5 seconds behind Moss after 100 laps (yes one hundred laps!) at Monaco after Phil Hill gave up the chase.
1971-73, Francois Cervert, Jacky Stewart's ultimate wingman who was due to replace him as lead driver for '74.
1976-83, John Watson, fast enough to keep world champion teammates honest, usually scored well when the car didn't retire.
1992, Martin Brundle, before the full extent of Flavio's machinations and Schumacher favoritism he pushed MS hard in the Benetton, unfortunately his career never recovered after being dumped for an aging Patrese and then declined mostly due to unreliable cars at McLaren & Ligier.
1976-83, John Watson, fast enough to keep world champion teammates honest, usually scored well when the car didn't retire.
1992, Martin Brundle, before the full extent of Flavio's machinations and Schumacher favoritism he pushed MS hard in the Benetton, unfortunately his career never recovered after being dumped for an aging Patrese and then declined mostly due to unreliable cars at McLaren & Ligier.
Edited by Paul578 on Friday 4th October 12:28
Nigel Mansell was number 2 driver to Nelson Piquet in 1986, either could have won the championship and it went to the last race with Mansell slightly ahead of Piquet, Prost and Senna.
Prost won after Mansell's tyre blowout and Williams then pitting Nelson Piquet for tyres as a precaution.
The accolade of helping a team-mate is I think fairer to be seen on individual actions rather than defining a racing driver's ability,
although it does seem to be expected from team-mates this season.
Prost won after Mansell's tyre blowout and Williams then pitting Nelson Piquet for tyres as a precaution.
The accolade of helping a team-mate is I think fairer to be seen on individual actions rather than defining a racing driver's ability,
although it does seem to be expected from team-mates this season.
Edited by Aluminium on Friday 4th October 22:01
amgmcqueen said:
Nampahc Niloc said:
Turbojuice said:
Barrichello. You could argue not the best factually, but definitely the most iconic 2nd driver.
This. I was reading through the this topic wondering why no one had mentioned him yet.
He bent over more times than Jenna Jameson.
Marvellous!
Turbojuice said:
Barrichello. You could argue not the best factually, but definitely the most iconic 2nd driver.
Iconic- 'worthy of veneration' . 'Definitely the most iconic ' ? . Hmm. Good number two , a stunning drive at Donington 93 and by all accounts a nice man but ...What period did you consider in choosing your driver ? Damon Hill.
A very late starter in F1, Damon made his debut at the advanced age of 32. Williams hired him as a number two to Prost, then kept him on as number two to Senna. Nobody, including probably the man himself, ever saw him as a potential number one in a top team. After the tragedy of Imola he stepped up to lead the team and drove superbly to push Schumacher all the way for the championship. He continued to drive brilliantly to win 18 races over the next three seasons and won his championship in 1996 in fine style.
A very late starter in F1, Damon made his debut at the advanced age of 32. Williams hired him as a number two to Prost, then kept him on as number two to Senna. Nobody, including probably the man himself, ever saw him as a potential number one in a top team. After the tragedy of Imola he stepped up to lead the team and drove superbly to push Schumacher all the way for the championship. He continued to drive brilliantly to win 18 races over the next three seasons and won his championship in 1996 in fine style.
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