Talking Point: Best driver in F1
Eurosport - Tue, 25 Nov 22:14:00 2008
Who is the best current driver in Formula One? 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.
Our shortlist of five:
The Spaniard became the youngest driver since Emerson Fittipaldi in 1972 to win the World Championship when he secured the first of consecutive titles for Renault in 2005. A national hero in Spain, he returned to the French regie after a year's hiatus at McLaren and did brilliantly to win two races in an uncompetitive R28. No one can doubt he has ability in spades.
The British driver took the F1 world by storm when he made the step up with McLaren in 2007, finishing on the podium in his first nine races and going on to lead the drivers' standings by 17 points with two races remaining. He lost that chance to be world champion but a more consistent season in 2008 saw him crowned after a dramatic fifth-place finish in Brazil - taking the youngest champ mantle from Alonso in the process. A flamboyant driver who sometimes annoys his rivals with his aggressive driving style.
BMW Sauber man Kubica was in with a shout of this year's title himself until late on, having enjoyed a season just as consistent as that of Hamilton: he failed to score points in only four races, less than Ferrari pair Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen. However his relative lack of race wins - only one to Hamilton's five and Massa's six - cost him. The first Pole to lead a race, never mind win one, great things are expected of him if BMW can pull their socks up.
Felipe Massa
The Brazilian thought he had won the title with victory at his home track of Interlagos, only to hear news of Hamilton's dramatic improvement; his distraught defiance on the podium tugged at the heart-strings of even the most fervent Hamilton supporter. At times brilliant, he is also prone to the odd error. The manner in which he fought for the title while team-mate Kimi Raikkonen fell apart brought him many admirers and showed a driver who had matured. He was also a threat in the two previous seasons however, taking race wins in both.
Kimi Raikkonen
The 2007 champion sneaked that triumph from under the nose of an imploding Hamilton and desperately unhappy Alonso, but no one could begrudge the Finn his moment of glory after several years as a contender with McLaren. Having taken the title to Italian marque Ferrari, there was no question of who was expected to be the lead driver at the Scuderia in 2008: however he was woefully inconsistent in the F2008. Still brilliant on his day.
So vote now in our online poll - scroll down our F1 page to find it - and let us know your thoughts on the discussion board below.
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Comment 147 - 166 of 226
The HAM is by far the best Driver at the moment, remember Silverstone? Wet race, Ferraris 60 seconds behind? Ross Brawn said "This boy Hamilton, how did he keep the car on the track?"!!! Also Monza, after a bad qualifying session, stuck behind Kimi, race begins, visibility is poor he overtakes 8 cars including your beloved Kimi rakeupshit and finishes behind Massa, he even very nearly zipped past Massa had his tyres not let him down. At Monaco, he had a puncture and finished, on the podium.
GET THIS YOU HATERS, IF MACLAREN HADN'T SEEN SOMETHING IN THIS BOY THEY WOULDN'T HAVE HIRED HIM/GROOMED HIM ALL THESE YEARS. BELIEVE WHAT YOU WILL, THE FACT REMAINS
Both MCLAREN drivers were given IMMUNITY and not just F.A plus MCLAREN were saved from being thrown out for 2 years and probably extinction by B.E the man most hated by its fans
come on guys, the only black and white issue in F1 is the chequered flag
paul t, your comments about the McLaren saga stealing from Ferrari and blaming the best driver that FA is and not the real culprits behind are utterly rubbish like yourself and you know it. Besides you look very confused and puzzled with what really went on. I bet your a$$ hurts everytime your dirty team or $hit driver loses to another one. Please refrain yourself from your pathetic unfounded disgraceful comments that have got nothing to do with declaring who at present so far is the best driver.
LOL those racists shyts think with their small balls, if u have don't wanna be disapointed don't watch F1 anymore coz Lewis will be unstopable, thats fact
paul, Hamilton may be the wrong colour in your eyes, but he whip the @#$% off your boy.
paul, racism is lack of intelligence, so you're not very bright then, a bit like your comments.
Some people are responding to TIMO GLOCK comments, please don't do that, he's not well, he has not taken his medicine, please don't encourage him, or his nurses will have to restrain him, and it's not fair on them, is it
I am more than a little bit confused. There seems to be a lot of support for Alonso. Now I use to support Alonso, until it was released, that he tried to blackmail Ron Dennis, because he was using Ferrari date, to set up his car. Ron Dennis informed Max Mosley, and then very oddly and very surprisingly, Max Mosley offers Alonso immunity, if he hands over the Ferrari data HE was using. This is the most bizarre thing I have Ever heard off. which brings me to another point of interest, which I also don't understand. If I was Ron Dennis, and the above, is what happened. I would sacked Alonso on the spot. This is why I am confused, what is really going on here, Alonso is a self-confessed cheat, he is been given immunity, and people still support him. How can you support a cheat. Very odd.
items 155--156--157--158
MULTI MAN SPELLING MISTAKE ][ }{ Must be Polish new immigranti arrivalo }{
TIMO Glock, you must be blind.
The FIA were trying to shove the F1 title up Massa's a$$, but for the Ham's mental fortitude, things could've been different this season.
The Ham also has the Most successful F1 rookie season and the Most successful second season. What more does he need to do?
If you look at things factually, it is a no-brainer. However if you let personal preferences in, things become murky.
The title is not "who would you prefer to have dinner with?" it is "Talking Point: Best driver in F1". So please pay attention.
A few years ago KR was the only driver MS feared, so has real talent. When FA got an equal car, that was what foreced a fading MS into retirement. LH is also good but hot-heated on the track. FA is calm in the race but mentaly weak off it. KR after winning world champ seems to have lost motivation. Massa is a bit of a joke in comparison.... rather like Mansell he presses the accelerator and hopes the electronic gizmos will keep the car on the track. Others like Kubica, Vettel etc too early to say. IMO there isn't an outstanding driver who is clearly the best at the moment.
KR is the fastest, FA the most consistent, LH somewhere inbetween in both categories.
Cannot be anyone other than LH.
Let's look at Lewis' record before F1:
2000 Becomes Formula A European karting champion, winning all four rounds.
2003 Wins Formula Renault UK championship, with 10 victories. He is the champion with two rounds to go.
2005 Wins Formula Three Euroseries with 15 victories from 20 races.
2006 Joins GP2 World Championship, winning it at the first attempt.
Youngest to recieve an F1 contract.
F1 Career:
2007 In his rookie season, defeated defending two-time world champion, despite being the number 2 driver for most of the season. If he had been the number 1 driver from the start, Lewis would’ve been champ last year given the close end to the season.
2007 Most consecutive podiums from debut race
2007 Most consecutive podiums for a British driver ever.
2007 Youngest driver to lead the World Championship.
2007 Most wins in a debut season.
2007 Most pole positions in a debut season.
2008 Youngest F1 World Champion.
Lewis has always backed up his hype, in his rookie season he defeated the 2 time defending champ - Fernando "eyebrows" Alonso - who had just come off retiring legend Michael Schumacher. Whatever benchmark that has been set, whatever league the Ham has been in, he has met and exceeded expectation.
One question do you think he would've been allowed into F1 at such a young age if he was not THE MAN ?
poor old boy mac bill still can't think for himself Ha Ha just ruins the site
He was asked who is best CURRENT F1 driver & his reply was Senna & Schumacher .. !
Just can't get any more dense thick headed than that .! didn't understand such a simple question .!
Time to retire & direct wheelchair into the fading sun along with all the pathetic alias's
That's easy. 1st F Alonso 2nd R Kubica 3rd S Bourdais 4th R Barrichello.
Ferrari and McLaren drivers do not apply 'cause they cannot prove anything unless they are in the same league as the other mortals.
Whoever has a different opinion they are not being honest with themselves.
lewis is the best but i think Alonso as well is damn good, but for next year provided that the big teams will bring god cars i beleive Lewis will be untouchable. Vettel as well has a champion touch, for me kubica is a good driver but he lacks comitment when it matters like he was unable to beat Alonso in japan. Kimi is a light speed his only problem is that he is not inform, i wonder if he will have his battery filled for next year; as for Fellipe i am afraid he has burned his only chance of being a champion this year
See you Bill.
Well said paul t.
Good to see that a few people on here like you two can still make objective comments.
All of these drivers are amazing to watch and cheer for. All are potential champions. I think within the next seven years all of these men will have won a championship or two- provided the rules of F1 stay some-what consistent.
MASSA, ALONSO, RAIKO, VETTEL, KUBICA, LH.
When Lewis Hamilton, joined the modern F1 circus, I had an open mind, but it soon became apparent, this boy has talent. Reminds me of Senna and Mansell a bit. But what has impressed me, his is ability, to stay focused, and outdrive everybody else on the track, despite the FIA, crystal clear mandate, to distract him. Never in the history of this sport, as a driver been subjected, to an onslaught of abuse. So for his ability, and overwhelming sportsmanship, in the face of adversity. He is my driver of the day. Go Lewis go.
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