Talking Point: Best of the rest

Eurosport - Tue, 11 Nov 09:14:00 2008

Who was the best driver never to win the F1 title? Every week during the off-season, we are opening up a discussion point for Formula One fans in conjunction with our online poll. So let us know what you think.

2008 Toro Rosso Berger - 0

Here is our eight-man shortlist:

Chris Amon: The last driver from New Zealand to make an impact in Formula One, Amon was the son of a wealthy sheep farmer who arrived on the scene in the 1960s and earned widespread adulation for his fearless approach on the track. He won both the 24-hour races at Le Mans and Daytona, but despite competing in 108 grands prix, he never managed a victory in Formula One.

Rubens Barrichello: Barichello was prolifically successful as a Kart driver, winning the Brazilian title five times before moving on to become champion of Formula Opul, then Formula 3. But since arriving in Formula One the Honda driver has been a nearly man. Barrichello finished fourth in the 2000 World Championship, third in 2001 and came runner-up in both 2002 and 2004.

Gerhard Berger (pictured): The lanky Austrian won his first grand prix with BMW in 1986 and would add eight more driving for Ferrari and McLaren, before a remarkable victory with Benetton in Germany marked his final victory in 1997 - the year he retired. Despite finishing in the top 10 every season from 1986 to 1997, the world title eluded him.

Jacky Ickx: The Belgian arrived on the Formula One scene in 1967 and would finish inside the top 10 of the world championship seven times before competing for the last time at the US Grand Prix in 1979. Ickx won eight times during that time, but will perhaps always be remembered for his six triumphs at the Le Mans 24-Hour race - the last of which came in 1982.

Stirling Moss: The legendary Englishman is regarded by many as the best all-round driver in the history of racing. He won a remarkable 194 races in his career, but despite picking up 16 grand prix victories could never manage a Formula One world championship. Moss finished runner-up four times in succession between 1955 and 1958, but the ultimate prize slipped his grasp.

Ronnie Peterson: Sweden's greatest driver, Peterson made his Formula One debut at the 1970 Monaco Grand Prix and would go on to race 123 times and achieve 10 victories. The 'Superswede' finished runner-up twice in the championship, in 1971 and 1978 - the season that ended with his tragic death at Monza in the Italian Grand Prix.

Carlos Reutemann: The Argentine raced in Formula One between 1972 and 1982, winning 12 times and earning a reputation for his cavalier approach. Reutemann finished in the top 10 of the world championship eight times during his career, coming closest to the title in his penultimate season, when he finished runner-up to Nelson Piquet.

Gilles Villeneuve: Villeneuve made his Formula One debut at the British Grand Prix in 1977 and won for the first time in Canada the following season with Ferrari. The Canadian would triumph five more times, before being killed in a crash during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix in 1982. His best finish in the championship was runner-up to Jody Scheckter in 1979.

So vote now in our online poll and let us know your thoughts on the discussion board below.

Eurosport

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  1. Sorry for all my earlier posts - I realise now that I was used by more intelligent people than myself. I wish I had gone to school.

    From Vlad the inhaler, on Tue 11 Nov 2:10PM

  2. Boy is there some rubbish spoken hear (Lewis - lucky? Massa had points handed to him by Raikonen and the FIA (Ferrari International Aid) trying to help him.

    Anyway - to the point:
    2 drivers stand head and shoulders above the rest:
    Stirling Moss, Gilles Villeneuve

    Coulthard! Give me a break - nice guy but always a No 2. Barrichello- nice guy but not the killer instinct. Juan Pablo - awesome street fighter but not the consistency - though actually one of my all time favourites. I could go on.....

    From critchla, on Tue 11 Nov 1:36PM

  3. Phew Elsy - I was ready for a punch up behind the bike sheds!!!!! Damon brought me back into F1 and he was such fun for a few short years.

    From m.e.jenner@..., on Tue 11 Nov 1:15PM

  4. Barrichelo then Coulthard and Vilneuve. I think if Barichelo was in Mclaren or other big team instead of Schumi's lapdog he would've won.

    From martin.mitevski26, on Tue 11 Nov 1:06PM

  5. m.e.jenner,

    You're right, it's a bit harsh on Damon Hill, I really could not see any other drivers who you could say that they didn't deserve a WDC title. I should have put down Lewis Hamilton instead !! :-o

    From Elsy, on Tue 11 Nov 12:57PM

  6. The Greatest driver who never win World Title:
    -Stirling Moss
    -Ronnie Peterson
    -Gilles Villeneuve
    -Gerhard Berger
    -David Coulthard
    -Rubens Barrichello
    -Ricardo Patrese
    -Juan Pablo Montoya

    From Ikhwan, on Tue 11 Nov 12:46PM

  7. swainwright276: Yeah I like Rubino as well he has a refreshing outlook on life, as you say always smiling. He is definitely good enough to win it and if he does go to Indy cars with a decent car he will wipe the floor with the drivers over there. Which is why I think that Montoya was overrated.
    Still at least no one has said Michael Andretti.

    From BigBill, on Tue 11 Nov 12:35PM

  8. Elsy - Damon Hill???? I know one shouldn't fall on if-only's and what-if's BUT Damon should have at least 2 extra titles - one when Mikey pushed him off the track, and the other one if Williams had kept him on.

    From m.e.jenner@..., on Tue 11 Nov 12:21PM

  9. Some guys can't read. The question is: "who was the BEST driver NEVER to win the F1 title.
    The answer(look at the stats)
    Stirling Moss, no question about it.
    Watched him drive in East London many years ago and even with a badly damaged hand and having to change gear manually, he was really good. Great driver.

    From Up the Boks, on Tue 11 Nov 11:29AM

  10. The Greatest World Champion are Ayrton Senna.
    The Successful World Champion are Micheal Schumacher.(because he have many record who almost get all in F1).
    The Worst World Champion is Lewis Hamilton.(because he won't the world title with pure luck,Massa blown engine in hungary and back luck pitstop in singapore and also helped by Glock)

    From Ikhwan, on Tue 11 Nov 11:06AM

  11. lewis.great- The article is about Great drivers who never won the F1 WDC ;-)

    It has to be stirling Moss for me, missing out so many time, not counting this 3rd place achievements. Coming second to Juan Manuel Fangio three time, speaks for it self.

    (ioioccc) As for worst driver to win WDC Jacques Villeneuve or Damon Hill

    From Elsy, on Tue 11 Nov 10:51AM

  12. paul t, Just to put you straight mate Nigel Mansell ( who I thought was a great racer ) won his WDC in a car full of technology, a lot more than they have today.

    From OnlyHereForTheBeer, on Tue 11 Nov 10:10AM

  13. I love Reubens Barrichello. most experienced, nicest driver. Always a smile. Podium this year in @#$% car! Much better than Jenson.

    From swainwright276@..., on Tue 11 Nov 9:33AM

  14. BARRICHELLO can only drive fereri

    From podilah, on Tue 11 Nov 9:25AM

  15. Answering question who is the worst driver who win race is felepe massa, if he wins next year

    From podilah, on Tue 11 Nov 9:16AM

  16. For me Montoya is the best driver in motorsport

    From podilah, on Tue 11 Nov 9:13AM

  17. I the F1 driver who never win gerhard berger, i remember him during the 80's

    From podilah, on Tue 11 Nov 9:11AM

  18. WHO ARE THESE LOSER MOSS, BARRICHELLO, BERGER, VILLENEUVE? LEWIS HAMILTON IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME. WHY BOTHER WITH THESE HAS-BEENS WHEN WE CAN BASK IN THE GLORY OF THE BEST WINNER, LEWIS HAMILTON? THIS POLL IS USELESS HAMILTON HAS PROVED A WORTHY CHAMPION AND THESE GUYS HAVEN'T MANAGED TO WIN ONE TITLE BETWEEN THEM SO WHY ARE THEY INCLUDED AND LEWIS EXCLUDED?

    From lewis.great, on Tue 11 Nov 8:22AM

  19. Anyone who ever saw Stirling Moss drive, has to know that he was the very best.

    From Richard, on Tue 11 Nov 8:14AM

  20. Sir Stirling Moss and Ronnie Peterson were both fantastic drivers but Gilles Villeneve edges it for his driving style. Gilles pushed his car far beyond its limits and excited his fans by driving beyond human limitations. Races like Dijon 1979 and practice for Watkins Glen (can't remember the year) proved that Gilles was the most fearless driver of all time. His death was devastating but for me he is perhaps the best Ferrari driver (including Schumacher)

    From arshad_iceman2, on Tue 11 Nov 7:50AM
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