Your likeable midfielders / soft spot drivers
Discussion
Who are the drivers you had a soft spot for who were nothing more than midfield drivers? Arguably not an F1 reject level; can drive an F1 car competently but without disgrace.
Of the current drivers Zho Gaunyu is a solid competent F1 driver, doesn't get involved in anything silly, and top it all is a likeable lad and level headed c.f. Tsunoda who's easily frustrated.
Takuma Sato - followed him since F3 when he was exciting to watch. Frustratingly inconsistent and found it hard to break (pun unintended) the Japanese F1 driver stereotype of crashing however he was sublime in his Super Aguri days.
Gianni Morbidelli - a cheeky chappy and memorable more for his smiles and Cheshire grins.
Pierluigi Martini - had some great drives with Minardi. Under appreciated , under rated driver. Would have interesting to see him perform in a better (midfield) team.
Of the current drivers Zho Gaunyu is a solid competent F1 driver, doesn't get involved in anything silly, and top it all is a likeable lad and level headed c.f. Tsunoda who's easily frustrated.
Takuma Sato - followed him since F3 when he was exciting to watch. Frustratingly inconsistent and found it hard to break (pun unintended) the Japanese F1 driver stereotype of crashing however he was sublime in his Super Aguri days.
Gianni Morbidelli - a cheeky chappy and memorable more for his smiles and Cheshire grins.
Pierluigi Martini - had some great drives with Minardi. Under appreciated , under rated driver. Would have interesting to see him perform in a better (midfield) team.
Maybe a controversial choice but hear me out........Martin Brundle.
Took it right to Senna in the F3 days and, in my opinion, would have had a much better career were it not for the big crash in Dallas in '84.
As it was, he ended up in some shoite machinery and had some bad luck when his opportunity at the big teams (Benetton/McLaren) came along.
His sportscar career showed what he was made of more than F1.
Took it right to Senna in the F3 days and, in my opinion, would have had a much better career were it not for the big crash in Dallas in '84.
As it was, he ended up in some shoite machinery and had some bad luck when his opportunity at the big teams (Benetton/McLaren) came along.
His sportscar career showed what he was made of more than F1.
Funnily enough, I find Yuki’s temper charming - probably because I don’t think he’s actually an unpleasant person, just hot headed. DTS etc. shows he has a pretty impish sense of humour.
For some feature they asked the drivers for their most important ambition. If memory serves, 19 of them said to win the world championship. Yuki said he’d like to open a restaurant.
To me, that’s far more endearing than someone who probably won’t win a single race trotting out the ‘right’ line. Some would take it as evidence he’s in the wrong line of work, but I’m not sure I’d watch the sport if they were all cardboard cut out professionals.
For some feature they asked the drivers for their most important ambition. If memory serves, 19 of them said to win the world championship. Yuki said he’d like to open a restaurant.
To me, that’s far more endearing than someone who probably won’t win a single race trotting out the ‘right’ line. Some would take it as evidence he’s in the wrong line of work, but I’m not sure I’d watch the sport if they were all cardboard cut out professionals.
Edited by OnDaysLikeThese on Friday 12th April 15:53
nikaiyo2 said:
Pierluigi Martini mainly owing to his name.
If we’re doing it by names, surely Giovanni Lavaggi wins! Apparrently it’s the Italian translation of Johnny Carwash! I always had a soft spot for Bertrand Gachot. Saw him in the pits at Silverstone in 1991 with the Jordan, running around to get ready for qualifying or something, too long ago to remember. There was just a very special aura about this young man from Belgium living out his dream.
Zammy said:
Jean Alesi... Always glad he got that 1 win and also Nick Heidfeld.. Always routed for him to get a win.
Do you remember the 1997 Australian Grand Prix? While driving for Benetton, the team were frantically trying to call Jean into the pits to refuel and he ended up running out.
cuprabob said:
Zammy said:
Jean Alesi... Always glad he got that 1 win and also Nick Heidfeld.. Always routed for him to get a win.
Do you remember the 1997 Australian Grand Prix? While driving for Benetton, the team were frantically trying to call Jean into the pits to refuel and he ended up running out.
Zammy said:
Jean Alesi... Always glad he got that 1 win
On the same day my daughter and first born popped out! I was dispatched to inform family and fiends but spent the time in the family room watching Alesi take the win! (I did inform them of my daughter's arrival too!). So we like Alesi!
Also, always liked Derick Warwick. Felt he had much more than he was able to show.
Alesi was such a star. Who was at Silverstone in the rain when nobody went out - until Alesi , and he caned the arse off his Ferrari . Bloody hero .
Sato -loved him . Mild mannered chap who looked like a shy exchange student until he got in a car. I've never seen anyone busier, nor more spectacular , than Takuma in an F3 Dallara .
Vittorio Brambilla - aka the Monza Gorilla , Crashed his March , yards after winning his only GP, while waving to the crowd .
Hans Stuck Jnr - another March driver who was thrilling to watch and usually sideways
Clay Reggazoni - he might have been Swiss but if ever a man whose looks meant he was destined to drive for Ferrari it was Clay . Very fine driver too
Patrick Depailler - lived life and drove cars at 11/10s . Always.
Pete Revson - Steve McQueen King of Cool? b
ks . Revson was the real thing . Saw him win his first GP and couldn't have been more pleased.
Brian Henton - tough as old boots Derby driver who grew up in a Council house and funded much of his racing from his own businesses. I was lucky to meet him last year at a Tyrrell reunion - he is a real mensch .
So many more - superstitious Stefano Modena, uber cool Eddie Cheever and very emotional nice guy Roberto Moreno to name but three ...
Sato -loved him . Mild mannered chap who looked like a shy exchange student until he got in a car. I've never seen anyone busier, nor more spectacular , than Takuma in an F3 Dallara .
Vittorio Brambilla - aka the Monza Gorilla , Crashed his March , yards after winning his only GP, while waving to the crowd .
Hans Stuck Jnr - another March driver who was thrilling to watch and usually sideways
Clay Reggazoni - he might have been Swiss but if ever a man whose looks meant he was destined to drive for Ferrari it was Clay . Very fine driver too
Patrick Depailler - lived life and drove cars at 11/10s . Always.
Pete Revson - Steve McQueen King of Cool? b
ks . Revson was the real thing . Saw him win his first GP and couldn't have been more pleased.Brian Henton - tough as old boots Derby driver who grew up in a Council house and funded much of his racing from his own businesses. I was lucky to meet him last year at a Tyrrell reunion - he is a real mensch .
So many more - superstitious Stefano Modena, uber cool Eddie Cheever and very emotional nice guy Roberto Moreno to name but three ...
Of the current crop, I've a massive soft spot for Gasly. Such a shame he went to Red Bull way too early, he'd be showing much better if he were there now but he's tragically stuck in the Alpine and unlikely to be offered anything better any time soon.
Glad he got his win at Monza, a fairy tale story after a tough year losing his seat at Red Bull and his best mate at the next race.
Glad he got his win at Monza, a fairy tale story after a tough year losing his seat at Red Bull and his best mate at the next race.
sortedcossie said:
not controversial at all, and from the same era Gerhard Berger. He did win though, but still more of a mid field driver than a champion contender?
Brundle didn't win in F1.I'll vote for plucky little Lance Stroll. Forced into Grand Prix racing by his tyrannical father when all he really wanted to do was play tennis, he has pulled himself up by his bootstraps, is a perennial practical joker and loveable rogue, kind of a mix of James Hunt and James Bond. He always supports his teammates by letting them finish ahead of him, and his post race interviews are hilarious - like Kimi Raikkonnen, but so much more handsome.
coppice said:
Alesi was such a star. Who was at Silverstone in the rain when nobody went out - until Alesi , and he caned the arse off his Ferrari . Bloody hero .
I was sat in the stands that day and he was amazing! I'll never forget him on the throttle through Woodcote with the car dancing on the limit of aquaplaning. Just iconic.Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff