Best grand prix driver ever?

[Norman Verona]

With Vettel dominating F1, my son and I have been discussing who is/was the best driver ever.

I say Tazio Nuvalori was the best as he beat drivers in cars far superior than he was driving. Bit like Vettel winning in the Caterham.

Who do you think was the best ever.

[User0083]

I'd have to ask if you are looking for factual best or opinion best...

Would not factual have to be Schumacher? Opinion would be much harder... I could easily give opinion of worst. Lewis Hamilton. Before my time, but I know a fair bit about him and stories carry on and make Jackie Stewart almost a Demi God, so my vote.

But I found this interesting...

http://f1greatestdrivers.autosport.com/?driver=

I'm not a fan of senna... But I guess is like asking who the best bond is clearly Sean Connery, worst being Daniel Craig. But it's down to age and who you saw as bond when you were a child.

[Terry Everall]

Stirling Moss was one of my favourites 

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

I agree with Stephen, first you have to define what you mean by best.

 

I think Schumacher won most however you score things. Was he the best driver, not sure, he did have a great team, but he helped build that team, so all credit to him.

 

So:-

 

Best Results :  Schumacher

 

Best Racer, Senna

[Mike H]

I'd have to ask if you are looking for factual best or opinion best...

Would not factual have to be Schumacher? Opinion would be much harder... I could easily give opinion of worst. Lewis Hamilton

I don't usually comment on F1 discussions because they are usually full of b*****k*. But are you saying Lewis Hamilton is the worst ever Grand Prix driver in your opinion? That's just bizarre and kind of backs up what I said about most F1 discussions

[ALLADDIN]

re schumacher, good yes.but cannot be considered for top spot since  he would not allow competition within his team and was a proven cheat at successive teams.

for me the best driver would have had a clutch and gearstick to use.

[bhouse]

A close call between Fangio and Jim Clark in my book. No time for cheats, cry-babies or bullies such as some of those already named.

[User0083]

I don't usually comment on F1 discussions because they are usually full of b*****k*. But are you saying Lewis Hamilton is the worst ever Grand Prix driver in your opinion? That's just bizarre and kind of backs up what I said about most F1 discussions

I can not argue that Lewis is clearly a good driver. But for me "The Best" would have to be everything. Their personality and social life should be as a professional and they should have charisma.

James Hunt was before my time, but from what I know, the type of person eligible for the crown. Lewis can't handle criticism, losing or anything. When I went to the McLaren Factory it was very clear as well, he was all over the place and he'd put his mark on a car, I think an F1 LM, but said "When I win the championship I am having this car!" Then he signed it and walked off. How can that kind of arrogance reflect "The Best"? If he won the championship he could then say... "I've won the championship, I would like this car."

[User0083]

No time for cheats, cry-babies or bullies such as some of those already named.

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

If I have to say, I will nominate Jim Clark. It is very difficult to compare across the eras, but he was on a level far above his peers. Whilst I do deprecate poor behaviour off-circuit, we pay them to race and so that should be the only standard on which to judge.

[Terry Everall]

My second vote is Jim Clark

[greenandmean]

Best driver or best F1 driver?

 

Best driver Graham Hill who else has won F1 Championship, Indy 500, & Le mans.

 

Best F1 driver Fangio.

[pistonbroke 2]

My era was the 60s and Jim Clark was my god so I am biased to-wards him but, Drivers like Rindt, Peterson,Villnueve,Rodriguez,

where all in my frame.

 

Senna,Schumacker,Vettel, All brilliant but by my reckoning they used politics and encouraged manipulation to dominate.They where

pretty good at cheating to.

[Terry Everall]

Not F1 but D Steve McQueen in "Le Mans"

[Norman Verona]

To clarify, best means best driver, not who won most races. It is not confined to F1 but all grand prix drivers, ever.

This discussion started by me asking who would win a race between Vettel and Alonso if they swapped cars.

I think Nuvolari is the all time best driver because he beat the mighty Silver Arrows with a car which was really inferior.

Jim Clarke was also a great driver as was Moss. Tony Brooks was also a remarkable driver.