Now that the 2010 F1 season is in full swing racing fans have a lot to look forward to. The red lights fade in Monza(Italy) in only a few days and keeping in the spirit of things I thought it would be appropriate to list some of the greatest drivers of all time. Unfortunately, only two drivers from the current grid have made my top 10 list. So here we go, the Top10 Formula 1 drivers of all time.
10.Gilles Villeneuve (Canada)
Gilles Villeneuve won only six of his 67 grands prix and has not a single world championship to his name. History, though, goes beyond numbers and will remember the diminutive French Canadian as one of the sport’s greatest competitors.
Perhaps Villeneuve’s finest moment was his performance in a sodden practice session for the US Grand Prix East at Watkins Glen in 1979. His Ferrari team-mate Jody Scheckter, the new world champion, was confident of being comfortably fastest, until he looked at the timesheets; Villeneuve was over 9.5 seconds quicker.
A horrific accident in qualifying for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix ultimately claimed Villeneuve’s life. Speaking at his funeral Scheckter said: “I will miss Gilles for two reasons. First, he was the fastest driver in the history of motor racing. Second, he was the most genuine man I have ever known.”
Statistics:
- Born: 18 Jan 1950
- Died: 8 May 1982
- Active years: 1977 – 1982
- Best Position Finish in WDC: 2nd (1979)
- Presences: 68
- Starts: 67
- Wins: 6
- Podiums: 13
- Poles: 2
- Front row: 8
- Fastest laps: 8
- Races led: 18
9. Fernando Alonso(Spain)
The Michael Schumacher juggernaut was unstoppable in the first part of the 2000s, but it was brought to a halt by Spain’s first world champion in 2005.
After being groomed for greatness by Flavio Briatore, he took his maiden pole and victory in his first year as a Renault race driver in 2003. When the team hit the jackpot with its 2005 and 2006 cars, it was Alonso who seized the initiative to take two titles.
Despite the unquestionable determination and pure speed, Alonso is far from perfect – witness an explosive season on and off the track at McLaren in 2007.
But after returning to an ailing Renault team he had them back to winning ways by the end of 2008. His last season with the French squad was a write-off due to a dud car, but Ferrari beckons for 2010.
Statistics:
- Born: 29 Jul 1981
- Age: 29
- Active years: 2001 – 2010
- Champion: 2005, 2006
- Presences: 153
- Starts: 151
- Wins: 23
- Podiums: 58
- Poles: 18
- Front row: 31
- Fastest laps: 15
- Races led: 57
