Best F1 Driver

[dmc5150]

Who do you think is the better Formula One driver?

Michael Schumacher
Ayrton Senna

[doozer]

Schumacher

[doozer]

i don't see this one getting too many hits.

[TennesseeFan07]

Michael Schumaker and it's really not even close

[doozer]

it is interesting to note, and i believe i have my years right, that Schumi won his first championship the same year that Senna was killed in Spain. i still think Schumacher would have surpassed all for wins and championships, but i don't know if Senna had been alive that he would have had the success he had, especially early in his career.

Senna's impact on the sport unfortunately did not come until after his passing. it allowed F1 to look at their cars from more of a safety issue. had Senna not passed, i don't think F1 would have made some of the safety innovations they did.

both were tremendous world champions and certainly left their marks on the sport, but from a pure numbers perspective, Schumacher is really in a class all by himself.

we had the discussion on here in the past that the only real name worth mentioning in the same breath as Schumacher is that of one Mario Andretti.

[MG1968]

yep, I vote for Andretti.

[tidwell]

I bet there aren't more than 5 people on this board who have ever heard of Senna.

[volinbham]

I voted Senna - no one drove faster and more on the edge than he. We will never know how much he could have achieved had he not been taken out in his prime (early prime at that). Senna personified F1 more than any other driver I've seen. He had the attitude and the talent. Believe it or not, I really disliked him (I was a Prost fan) but could not deny his greatness.

Schumacher is hard to argue against. He rewrote the record book and his 2nd place finish (Spanish Gran Prix I believe) while having only one gear for most of the race (5th gear?) is a testament to his outstanding driving abilities.

[volinbham]

This Wiki entry has a nice table at the end detailing Senna's performance up until his death. Not too shabby!

Ayrton Senna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He was a monster in his time and was surrounded by other great drivers. F1 was stout with top drivers at the time. Perhaps like comparing Nicklaus to Woods - Nicklaus beat other players with more impressive resumes but Woods ultimately will hold all the records.

F1 during his time included Niki Lauda, Nigel Mansel, Alain Prost, Nelson Piquet, Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen, Keke Rossberg and Damon Hill - all of whom were F1 champs.

[volinbham]

While we're on F1 greats; here's a great (and accurate) quote about my favorite F1 driver - Alain Prost

Motor sport journalist Denis Jenkinson described Prost as "a very warm and uncomplicated man who doesn't rely on passion or inspiration. Nor does he indulge in showmanship or bull****. He is capable of a level of mental discipline beyond the comprehension of most people.

Nicknamed the professor - he was truly an outstanding driver.

Alain Prost - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[volinbham]

Classic Senna and Prost battles - they hated each other but ended up on the same team. Senna is the one whose in-car cam they show more (yellow and green helmet).

YouTube - F1 - Ayrton Senna vs Alain Prost - Battle Collection

[volinbham]

Here Senna passes Schumacher, Damon Hill, Alain Prost and others in one lap on a wet track. He was an outstanding wet track driver.

YouTube - Senna passa Schumacher, D.Hill e A.Prost. Donington 1993.

[doozer]

he was the best wet track driver, ever.

[dmc5150]

I cant get to youtube from work so cant post a hyperlink, but there is a pretty cool clip about Ron Dennis (McLaren boss) trying to recruit Schumacher back in 95 or 96 I believe. The clip shows them talking at some event. Check it out- just search for Ron Michael Lure or Michael Ron Lure cant remember which but it should pull up. Seen this in F1 Racing magazine.

Oh and I agree when Schumacher finished that race in Spain with only 5th gear that was amazing, and I believe he even pitted once after losing the other gears! I still cant believe how he did that.

[Cole4Aubie]

who cares f-1 overrated