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.
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.
Comment 36 - 55 of 115
best of the rest: Moss and DC - both deserved a championship - DC had a great debut and a great last half of 2000 and first half of 2001....had that been the same calendar year, he would have won a championship. and moss was just all talent.
worst to win a championship - villeneuve jr.
How about another question:
Who was the worst driver to win a world championship?
Close call, but it is Stirling Moss.
Again Ginger, I have to agree with you.
I do consider Alonso as amongst the best drivers in F1 but with flaws (namely a tendency for arrogance & blackmail), but my twisted (bit genuine) statistics name him as 4th highest points scorer ever, so fair play to him and full credit for his achievements.
With all the rule changes for next season I do consider him a very real title contender, especially with the way Renault finished the season.
I am looking forward to it already.
Who will win, I'd struggle to decide between Hamilton, Massa, Raikonnen, Alonso, Kubica & Vettel.
I can't wait.
Scottish C: Only part of what you said that I really disagree with is that I don't think Fernando Alonso has earnt the right to "look down" on DC, he's not been in the sport long enough to earn that right. Two more seasons at the top of his game and yes, but not yet. And I was merely clarifying that Kimi stat, it seems to be one that not alot of people knew and has been quoted on threads a few times in recent weeks, but is usually inaccurate.
hey marnio from peru, are you stupid? or haven't got any logic in your mind? black dude wins it because FIA stripped him of a win in spa. and why only get the @#$% of glock? how about kubica? why he pushed the black kid off the racing line? he has no point of winning the race nor any place. its just a sad thing that the black kid wins by his lonesome and we have a platoon of looser's. Am disgusted at myself being a looser here, as I want ferrari to win it all. Wanted Massa to win at straight race not with any help from the FIA.
Lets have a FORMULA ONE, real grand prix of best car in DESIGN; TECHNOLOGY; BEST FUEL; BEST TIRE; BEST LUBRICANT.
ginger_gitt, on Mon 10 Nov 11:21PM
"Scottish C: It is indeed Kimi being refered too, and it was 23 car races (with 13 wins) before joining F1 and a single season at Sauber before moving to Mclaren."
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Fair play Ginger and you are correct, my mistake, Kimi was only 1 season at Sauber before coming to McLaren and being beaten to 6th by Coulthard in 5th in 2002, which was kinda my point, Coulthard's record against his team mates isn't too bad.
He was amongst the best of the rest against arguably the best driver in the history of F1, Schumi, although I consider Jackie Stewart & Jim Clark up there with him & Senna.
As for the question that was asked, it is unquestionably Stirling Moss.
To the writer of the story, I'd suggest you lead by example and read before you submit your stories (maybe then others might follow)
Barrichello 3rd and 4th in the 2001 World Championship?
Stirling Moss stats are - 67 Races, 66 Starts, 16 Wins
Without checking every fact, how much more of it is wrong?
Scottish C: It is indeed Kimi being refered too, and it was 23 car races (with 13 wins) before joining F1 and a single season at Sauber before moving to Mclaren.
Moss, Irvine, Villeneuve, Peterson, Coultard, Montoya, Zanardi, Jones (either one).
Francois Cevert!
For Ken Tyrrell and Sir Jackie Stewert
Gyöngyi K.
Not that unlucky. He's still alive!
Most might not agree but I say Steve McQueen and James Garner
Juan Pablo Montoya without a doubt for me...If it was 80s, he had it under his belts.his aggressive , strong and not very consistant style was for that era.
Jean Alesi, unluckiest driver ever.
Riccardo Patrese
scs3drg, re. DC.
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DC was 2nd only to Michael Schumacher in 2001, a field of drivers that included Barrichello, Hakkinnen, Montoya & Villeneuve.
In reference to a driver who had only raced on a track 22 times before, was that Kimi Raikonnen? who had only raced on a track 22 time before he joined Sauber for 2 seasons? Hmmmm??? Before then joining McLaren.
Is that who you mean?
I think you need a history lesson.
DC was 3rd in his first full year in F1 in 1995.
3rd in 97.
3rd in 98.
4th in 99.
3rd in 2000.
2nd in 01.
DC was the top driver at McLaren 5 years out of his 9 years at the team, when his team mates were 2 times world champion Mika Hakkinen & future world Champion Kimi Raikonnen.
5th biggest point scorer in the history of F1, that's not bad.
What have you achieved in your sad pathetic life.
The way I see it there are only 4 guys who have ever driven racing cars that have the privelige of looking down on DC, Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna & Fernando Alonso.
Lesson over, I hope you enjoyed it as much as me.
A$$.
Juan Pablo Montoya was faster than D.C. or Rubens. I've only been watching since the late 90's but JPM has got to be in the discussion. The only thing the man lacked was the ability to be honest with himself about his weakness. If he could have kept a cooler head he could have won it with Williams.
I have heard that Michael Scumacher when asked this question said Eddie Irvine.
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