#1 F1 Driver in history... Votes are in...

[crfsocal]

I know there are a few gear heads around the forums

So I taught it would be cool to post this article, very recent survey with over 200,000 people just voted Ayrton Senna as the #1 driver in F1 history...

A lot of other interesting topics on the survey for F1 fans.

GPDA Global Fan Survey 2015
http://gpda.motorsport.com/

Article:
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fa...ut-no-gimmicks

[GradyPhilpott]

I've read a lot about the sound of the cars in online discussions, but I really find that a little hard to accept.

The most important thing should be the quality of the racing.

I'm not sure that the current fan base is grounded in reality, when 73% are worried about the sound of the cars.

[Keith1]

Thanks for posting this!

[Scot_3]

I've never been to fond of the idea that there is one greatest of all time. In his day Senna ruled the sport and his rivalry with Prost was epic. But was he better than Sir Jack Brabham? Still the only man to ever design, build, and race his car to a championship. A drivers ability to master the current technology and the constant
evolution of the sport means to me there can never be "one greatest"

[GB-man]

And rightfully so imHO. Forget the sound of the cars. Senna could drive a washing machine in a rainstorm

[toneafficianado]

Sir Jack Brabham! Got to remember JM Fangio in this though..imagine the machines he drove compared to today's!

[Rock]

Scot is right - it is difficult to compare World Champions across the 60 years since F1 started. The skill mix required today is subtly different from the earlier decades, although intelligence, coordination and courage have always been required.
Today's drivers often start in the Junior leagues before they are even in their teens whilst '50s champions often started in their thirties and raced into their fifties.
You can't just compare the number of wins to starts, or even wins, seconds and thirds to starts. You have to look at the competition and the quality of the car/team. Some multiple World Champions have had their wins in dominant cars/teams - like Mercedes at present. This is an interesting Model:

https://f1metrics.wordpress.com/2014...est-f1-driver/

[fmc000]

I don't care it he was the best or not: emotions are what matters to me. Therefore my favorite was and will always be the English Lion: Nigel Mansell!

[zama]

For me it is probably:

Fangio
Jim Clark
Schumacher
Senna

But who is to say...... when people are not in the same machine or era......

[Headshrinker]

I have heard many great things about Fangio. Racing has changed so much over the years, with safety and speed ruling the day now. Death was much more apart of racing in the sixties and seventies. How does that effect your choices? I watched a documentary on the F1, and it seemed there was a death every couple of races. Does that make them braver, thus better? Do the new safety measures allow the racers to perform at their peek?
In no way, do I suggest that racing is not dangerous, it is still one of the most dangerous sports out there; just not the same as the early years.

[TheBluePrince]

Sir Stirling.

Then Senna.

[The Joker]

The people who know say Senna

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by The Joker

The people who know say Senna

With good reason, he was a force of nature. I always debate this though with the folks I know in racing, did he have a death wish, was he going to push the envelope no matter what and storm through the safety barriers? I have no proof of this and I'm in awe of his skill and determination. I just wonder if his one track mind (pun intended) coupled with the limitations of equipment and track layouts meant that it was just a matter of time for him to either be considered the best ever or dead. He did both! Be interesting if he could stop himself from going 1000 miles an hour at all times perhaps he would still be here but he wouldn't be thought of as fondly or respected as much!

[fastfras]

For me the greatest would have to be Juan Manual Fangio, followed by Michael Schumacher, Sir Jackie Stewart, and Ayrton Senna. There are so many greats over the history of F1. Certainly the team and car can make a huge difference (which is why JMF is my personal favourite).

Mi peso dos.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by fmc000

I don't care it he was the best or not: emotions are what matters to me. Therefore my favorite was and will always be the English Lion: Nigel Mansell!

Haha, I'm English and even I can't listen to him finish a sen... snooze.

Like Diana I still remember where I was when I heard Senna died, the memory of a genius and attractive talent cut down in their prime is always going to be hard to beat.

[GradyPhilpott]

Senna died before I got into F1. I'm not sure if F1 was carried in the US, but if it was, I was too busy in the Eighties and early Nineties to have noticed.

Watching videos like this indicates that when he was on the race track, tomorrow was irrelevant. He was precisely in the moment.

It is really something that he would play chicken with another driver and be perfectly happy with whatever decision the other driver made, to yield or to hold.

One could make a very good case for Senna being a psychopath (anti-social personality disorder) given his behavior on the track and his careful manipulation of the public and his image off the track.

It would seem that for Senna, not driving on the edge would be the fate worse than death.

In that context, his death is less a tragedy and more a fitting end for a man who lived for all or nothing.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Senna died before I got into F1. I'm not sure if F1 was carried in the US, but if it was, I was too busy in the Eighties and early Nineties to have noticed.

Watching videos like this indicates that when he was on the race track, tomorrow was irrelevant. He was precisely in the moment.

It is really something that he would play chicken with another driver and be perfectly happy with whatever decision the other driver made, to yield or to hold.

One could make a very good case for Senna being a psychopath (anti-social personality disorder) given his behavior on the track and his careful manipulation of the public and his image off the track.

It would seem that for Senna, not driving on the edge would be the fate worse than death.

In that context, his death is less a tragedy and more a fitting end for a man who lived for all or nothing.

As per usual Grady, when we are on the same page you put things far more eloquently then I ever could. I completely agree with your synopsis.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

As per usual Grady, when we are on the same page you put things far more eloquently then I ever could. I completely agree with your synopsis.

[Headshrinker]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Senna died before I got into F1. I'm not sure if F1 was carried in the US, but if it was, I was too busy in the Eighties and early Nineties to have noticed.

Watching videos like this indicates that when he was on the race track, tomorrow was irrelevant. He was precisely in the moment.

It is really something that he would play chicken with another driver and be perfectly happy with whatever decision the other driver made, to yield or to hold.

One could make a very good case for Senna being a psychopath (anti-social personality disorder) given his behavior on the track and his careful manipulation of the public and his image off the track.


It would seem that for Senna, not driving on the edge would be the fate worse than death.

In that context, his death is less a tragedy and more a fitting end for a man who lived for all or nothing.

That was quite insightful. I would like to read more about him.

[Charlie3755]

For those that are interested this is on Netflix




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[gontomt]

I highly recommend the documentary above, available on NetFlix.

When you see how he drove in the rain, you will agree with everything Grady has written here.

[roadsterdoc]

GradyP- Regarding the sounds of the cars, you must experience it to understand why people hate the quiet exhaust sounds of the current cars. The V12/V10/V8 normally aspirated engines at full throttle were an amazing aural experience. In addition to the fantastic sound, they would literally vibrate your chest and take your breath when driving by. The new engines' exhaust is routed through a turbocharger before exiting. The heat energy spins the turbine which effectively muffles the volume. The result is a much lower decibel sound. You don't even need earplugs (which is one plus of the new setup).
Why do people care? The experience is kinda lame compared to the old engines. Sound does matter, similar to sex. Your partner's noises heighten the experience. Not as fun without the sound.


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[wantonebad]

tmi^^

[roadsterdoc]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

tmi^^

Yeah, I probably didn't need to explain turbo exhausts. ;-)


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[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by roadsterdoc

GradyP- Regarding the sounds of the cars, you must experience it to understand why people hate the quiet exhaust sounds of the current cars.

I know all about that, but the sound of the engines is the same as the sizzle of the steak.

The question is, Where's the beef?

[roadsterdoc]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I know all about that, but the sound of the engines is the same as the sizzle of the steak.

The question is, Where's the beef?

Lol. With all due respect GP, you don't get it. Racing is more than sound, of course. But the sounds of the old cars are incredibly stimulating and add a tremendous effect. I'm sorry you haven't experienced the old cars. I wish every race fan could. Trust the majority of the F1 fans who voted, it was amazing. No surprise they're let down by the current era. I hope my explanation is helpful, I wanted to respond after reading your first post. I don't want to come across in a condescending way. :-)


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[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by roadsterdoc

Lol. With all due respect GP, you don't get it.

Oh.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Oh.

[zama]

I think the sound is a huge part, and I have lost almost all interest in a sport I adored. The domination of Mercedes and the general lack of personalities just makes it worse.

Not sure it is a simple as Turbo's because F1 still sounded awesome in the last turbo era in the 70-80's.

Either way the sport either admit it got wrong trying to create fuel efficient cars, when they still fly jets and trucks all over the world and go back to entertainment. Otherwise F1 will go the way of my favourite sport rally. I still watch you tube clips of Group B where I have no interest in current rally.

It is a sad reality that documentaries and movie reproductions of eras such as Hunt vs Lauda are so much more entertaining than the sport today.

On the more important topic of shagging a silent super model or a screamer the jury for me is still out...... Have certainly not had the former and as for the later I will protect my own dignity.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

tmi^^