Who is the best Formula one driver of the current era

[deacsyoga]

IMO the only real candidates can be Vettel, Hamilton, and Alonso.

Obviously in driving titles it is Vettel 4 (vying for a 5th and leading the standings currently), Hamilton 3 (vying for a 4th currently), Alonso 2 (not been in the right car at the right time to be in contention for awhile).

If you went by achievements it would be Vettel. However it seems clear Alonso had it the worst of the three by a long ways as far as cars, despite often being in one of the top few cars, I dont think there is a single year of his whole career he was in truly the fastest car, including the 2 years he won the Drivers Title. And many years he is with Ferrari or whoever they arent as good as they are other years, his timing in the last 5-6 years imparticular has been awful.

So I guess it could be any of the 3. I would pick either Vettel or Alonso when Hamilton is neither the most accompished (Vettel) and I cant imagine him likely winning the 2 Drivers titles Alonso won while with Renault either.

 

[YellowFedBetter]

Ayrton Senna. Past, present, and forever.

This is from someone who's probably watched about 10 hours lifetime of F1 and the Senna movie (a must see).

 

[ollinger]

With shift light indicators and push-button shifting, ground effects and active computer controlled suspension that glue the thing to the road, and tires as wide as most of us, the F1 driver of today is a steerer with little else to do. Driving a bus is more demanding. Perhaps in ten years we'll have autonomous F1 cars with no driver. I'll take MotoGP, where the rider can really make a difference. Viva la Rossi!

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Max Verstappen for me.

 

[YellowFedBetter]

With shift light indicators and push-button shifting, ground effects and active computer controlled suspension that glue the thing to the road, and tires as wide as most of us, the F1 driver of today is a steerer with little else to do. Driving a bus is more demanding. Perhaps in ten years we'll have autonomous F1 cars with no driver. I'll take MotoGP, where the rider can really make a difference. Viva la Rossi!

This 100x. I can't take F1 drivers too seriously. It's a badly aristocratic sport and there's a chosen few who get to drive rockets and finish a mile ahead of everyone else. As bad as NASCAR has gotten it's still may more indicative of skill than these almost billion dollars pieces of money waste.

 

[Mongolmike]

With shift light indicators and push-button shifting, ground effects and active computer controlled suspension that glue the thing to the road, and tires as wide as most of us, the F1 driver of today is a steerer with little else to do. Driving a bus is more demanding. Perhaps in ten years we'll have autonomous F1 cars with no driver. I'll take MotoGP, where the rider can really make a difference. Viva la Rossi!

I can't "like" your post because I think F1 drivers do make a difference, especially since they no longer have anti-lock brakes, but I do agree with you on MotoGP. I LOVE MotoGP. Rossi is one of the best all time, but I'm a Marquez fan boy!

 

[MatsPhilander]

Hamilton, Schumacher previous generation & Prost the generation before that.

 

[oztennisfan]

It's Lewis. Seb, Alonso, Dan and max next in line...

 

[Vcore89]

Give 'em a tractor, a Bugatti Veyron or a maglev, FA is it!

 

[deacsyoga]

Ayrton Senna. Past, present, and forever.

This is from someone who's probably watched about 10 hours lifetime of F1 and the Senna movie (a must see).

I am referring to only the current era. I know full well NONE of that trio are even close to being the best F1 driver ever.

I absolutely agree Senna > Schumacher however.

 

[rainingaces]

Carlos Sainz has been the star of the show so far this year, hopefully he will get a good drive next year.

 

[ollinger]

Rossi is one of the best all time, but I'm a Marquez fan boy!

very talented indeed, that Marquez

 

[MarcusInKensington]

Monaco's Lewis Hamilton.

 

[rainingaces]

Hamilton can't even beat his rookie teammates, not even when that's his only viable competition.

 

[Zlatni]

In Formula 1 the car is what determines the winner 99% of the time. So The only thing that championships tell us is that the persons was better than his teammate.And even then there are politics within the team.
As far as the pure talent is concerned, it's Alonso.
Now going back, I have to agree that Ayrton Senna was extremely talented - he made those Lotus Hondas competitive back in the day.
All time I have to give it to Juan Manuel - almost 50% winning percentage (24/50 if I am not mistaken). And this was back in the day when the drivers mattered


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kramer woodie]

With shift light indicators and push-button shifting, ground effects and active computer controlled suspension that glue the thing to the road, and tires as wide as most of us, the F1 driver of today is a steerer with little else to do. Driving a bus is more demanding. Perhaps in ten years we'll have autonomous F1 cars with no driver. I'll take MotoGP, where the rider can really make a difference. Viva la Rossi!

olinger

Especially, when MotoGP riders display the sensitivity and skill to back a bike into a corner by keeping weight on the front wheel using the front
brake as the back wheel sides out and forward, double WOW!! It takes great feel and skill. I watch MotoGP as often as possible, the passing is
tremendous and constant.

Aloha

 

[Tennis_Hands]

I am referring to only the current era. I know full well NONE of that trio are even close to being the best F1 driver ever.

I absolutely agree Senna > Schumacher however.

Not in the wet.

Also, Alonso doesn't belong to this group.

 

[kramer woodie]

I prefer drivers from the 50s-60s-early 70s, before ground effects and wide tires. Something about sitting on the fuel tank or rubber fuel bladders down
both side of the car next to the driver (risk factor if you screw up). No communication between driver and pit crew except sign boards...no onboard
computer...drive by the seat of your pants...feel and hear what the car is doing...narrow skinny treaded tires...I guess I would say Jim Clark, Graham
Hill, Moss...etc.. Plus, I liked the looks of Lotus in the 60s the 25, 33, 43, 49 and the BRMs.

Drivers had to be drivers, the car did not do the work, the driver had to work the car without all of todays help.

Aloha

 

[-NN-]

It's between Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton, no?

Alonso is the most relentless and consistent. Hamilton is the fastest and the most unstoppable. Vettel is the smartest and the savviest.

 

[MasterZeb]

Overall driver Id give to Hamilton. Vettel is absolutely class in clear air. But he's not as good when chasing. Hamilton is incredibly aggressive, making him very good when chasing, and although isn't as good as vettel when in the lead, he's better when in the lead than vettel chasing.

 

[-NN-]

I do really rate Ricciardo and think Verstappen has great potential, though I guess I view him as being from the next generation or era or whatever. I guess it depends how quickly he can contend and how long the current greats continue on for in WDC competing cars.

For the future I have my eyes firmly on Verstappen and Leclerc.


This little exchange might be symbolic...

 

[-NN-]

 

[Nostradamus]

That girl with dark hair

 

[-NN-]

That girl with dark hair

yes

 

[-NN-]

Overall driver Id give to Hamilton. Vettel is absolutely class in clear air. But he's not as good when chasing. Hamilton is incredibly aggressive, making him very good when chasing, and although isn't as good as vettel when in the lead, he's better when in the lead than vettel chasing.

I think Alonso and Ricciardo might be better than both though at recovery drives. Ricc is let down by his wet weather racing, where Hamilton is outstanding.

 

[chmee]

Hamilton vs Alonso is the close call. Pity the latter hasn't the equipment to perform properly. Max and Danni are the future, especially as the latter allready beat Vettel impressively in their only saison together at RB. Alltogether I have to say Lewis atm.

 

[-NN-]

Hamilton vs Alonso is the close call. Pity the latter hasn't the equipment to perform properly. Max and Danni are the future, especially as the latter allready beat Vettel impressively in their only saison together at RB. Alltogether I have to say Lewis atm.

The worst part of the last few years if Alonso not having a competitive car. He's put in some stellar seasons recently and has wasted years of his prime. His talent is up there with the best ever but there's something abrasive about his personality which hasn't landed him the same opportunities as some other greats + he's had genuine bad luck. He almost beat Vettel twice during that dominant Red Bull run despite using clearly inferior machinery.

 

[Nostradamus]

yes

by far the hottest driver in the world today

 

[-NN-]

by far the hottest driver in the world today

Not attractive.

 

[MasterZeb]

I think Alonso and Ricciardo might be better than both though at recovery drives. Ricc is let down by his wet weather racing, where Hamilton is outstanding.

Alonso is a class racer overall. It's such a shame to see him limited to such a poor car. That start in Singapore...Honda have been horrific. Thankfully McLaren and them have split but now Toro Rosso have paired up with them

 

[deacsyoga]

Overall driver Id give to Hamilton. Vettel is absolutely class in clear air. But he's not as good when chasing. Hamilton is incredibly aggressive, making him very good when chasing, and although isn't as good as vettel when in the lead, he's better when in the lead than vettel chasing.

I agree on Vettel being the best frontrunner, but he isnt so great at overtaking or fighting through a tight pack. Qualifying wins are important for him.

 

[deacsyoga]

Alonso is a class racer overall. It's such a shame to see him limited to such a poor car. That start in Singapore...Honda have been horrific. Thankfully McLaren and them have split but now Toro Rosso have paired up with them

Alonso won those 2 drivers titles with Renault, who even those 2 years clearly did not have the top speed of Ferrari or McLaren. I highly doubt any of the other current drivers, including either Vettel or Hamilton, could have managed the same. We see what Renault has done since Alonso left, sh1t nothing all. It is a shame he is increasingly forgotten as he never gets luck to be in a top car when it is going strong anymore.

Anyway F1 is increasingly boring me since it is all about who has the fastest car today and the new rules practically prohibit racing too. Every year the person in the fastest car wins, and you almost never have 2 of even the top 4 or 5 drivers sharing a top car, or atleast the fastest car of the year. So whomever is lucky enough to be in that car, with an always uncompetitive teammate (minus I guess Rosburg vs Hamilton for just 2 years as a rare exception) wins by default. Zzzzzzzz

 

[QuentinFederer]

Alonso is easily the best current driver.

 

[MasterZeb]

Alonso won those 2 drivers titles with Renault, who even those 2 years clearly did not have the top speed of Ferrari or McLaren. I highly doubt any of the other current drivers, including either Vettel or Hamilton, could have managed the same. We see what Renault has done since Alonso left, sh1t nothing all. It is a shame he is increasingly forgotten as he never gets luck to be in a top car when it is going strong anymore.

Anyway F1 is increasingly boring me since it is all about who has the fastest car today and the new rules practically prohibit racing too. Every year the person in the fastest car wins, and you almost never have 2 of even the top 4 or 5 drivers sharing a top car, or atleast the fastest car of the year. So whomever is lucky enough to be in that car, with an always uncompetitive teammate (minus I guess Rosburg vs Hamilton for just 2 years as a rare exception) wins by default. Zzzzzzzz

Agreed. It's more about how much money a team has compared to driver skill recently. Been this way since 2010. Although it's a bit more interesting this year with Ferrari stepping up, it's not as competitive as it was 8 years ago.

 

[kramer woodie]

by far the hottest driver in the world today

Just another phony bleached blonde...and with time will get old, wrinkled, fat, and even more needed. I can hear her now, "does this dress make my butt look fat?"

Aloha

 

[-NN-]

Just another phony bleached blonde...and with time will get old, wrinkled, fat, and even more needed. I can hear her now, "does this dress make my butt look fat?"

Aloha

What butt?

She looks fine enough and I'm not gonna suddenly turn into a hatah, but yeh.. no.

 

[Nostradamus]

Just another phony bleached blonde...and with time will get old, wrinkled, fat, and even more needed. I can hear her now, "does this dress make my butt look fat?"

Aloha

If you sat on that hard Formula 1 car seat for hours and on ,,,, your butt wouldn't look very good either...............lol

 

[kramer woodie]

What butt?

She looks fine enough and I'm not gonna suddenly turn into a hatah, but yeh.. no.

NN

Exactly, you have to choose wisely. Thus the age old comment, "check out the mother, to see what the daughter will become". I like to call it false
advertising.

Here is what you are trapped with now, fresh bait. However, it is too much work to keep the bait fresh. Therefore, that long silky, luxurious hair is too
much work and gets cut short, the hi-beam headlights that get your attention turn to fog lamps, that tight butt will definitely spread to where you
have to buy her 2 seats on Southwest or your favorite airline to take her anywhere.

Worst of all, you will be punished if answering the question wrong, "does this dress make my butt look big?". The appropriate answer is, "NO DEAR, you're as beautiful as the day I first saw you"! You should be cognizant of the fact, men think woman will never change! Whereas, women can't wait to change
men into what women think men should be. Also, women being on the insecure side will overfeed you, not to make you healthier, but to make you less
appealing to other women. Let's not even go to being told how to dress, what are appropriate hobbies and friends, etc..

After many years, too many in fact of having way too much fun!!! The education I have received from too many women is essentially invaluable. I realize
this every time I answer the question, "are you married"? My answer for the last approximate 25 years is, "No, I holding out for that self proclaimed equal
women, who is so stupid in love with me, that she wants to buy me a diamond engagement ring and pay my bills" Well, let me tell you the responses I
get to the foregoing truthful answer are not fit to print here.

But, ain't the brainwashing from an early age of, "fall in love and live happily ever after" grand comedy.

Aloha

P.S. You do know, I hope, you can rent or lease.

 

[-NN-]

NN

Exactly, you have to choose wisely. Thus the age old comment, "check out the mother, to see what the daughter will become". I like to call it false
advertising.

Here is what you are trapped with now, fresh bait. However, it is too much work to keep the bait fresh. Therefore, that long silky, luxurious hair is too
much work and gets cut short, the hi-beam headlights that get your attention turn to fog lamps, that tight butt will definitely spread to where you
have to buy her 2 seats on Southwest or your favorite airline to take her anywhere.

Worst of all, you will be punished if answering the question wrong, "does this dress make my butt look big?". The appropriate answer is, "NO DEAR, you're as beautiful as the day I first saw you"! You should be cognizant of the fact, men think woman will never change! Whereas, women can't wait to change
men into what women think men should be. Also, women being on the insecure side will overfeed you, not to make you healthier, but to make you less
appealing to other women. Let's not even go to being told how to dress, what are appropriate hobbies and friends, etc..

After many years, too many in fact of having way too much fun!!! The education I have received from too many women is essentially invaluable. I realize
this every time I answer the question, "are you married"? My answer for the last approximate 25 years is, "No, I holding out for that self proclaimed equal
women, who is so stupid in love with me, that she wants to buy me a diamond engagement ring and pay my bills" Well, let me tell you the responses I
get to the foregoing truthful answer are not fit to print here.

But, ain't the brainwashing from an early age of, "fall in love and live happily ever after" grand comedy.

Aloha

P.S. You do know, I hope, you can rent or lease.

You just blew my mind with this post - LOL!

OK this is the best post of the month. I still can't get over it.

Thanks for the words of experience - should I call them wise?

Aloha!

 

[kramer woodie]

You just blew my mind with this post - LOL!

OK this is the best post of the month. I still can't get over it.

Thanks for the words of experience - should I call them wise?

Aloha!

NN

Thanks for the comment and the ability to have a sense of humor. Plus, you do realize if you rent or lease, when the rent or lease expires,
you can trade up for a younger...shapelier...replacement unit...and not have to take a blue pill!!!

As for being wise advice??? It is my belief that no man should marry, unless he has enough money to pay women to go away. Men should
not buy into that which thinks "what is mine is mine and what is yours is mind". Ask yourself, was one mother in your life telling you what to
do enough or do I need a dependent to make me happy by telling me what I should do, say, watch, listen to, find funny, etc, etc , etc..

Ain't the challenges of life a grand game of choices. Plus, the need by the masses to conform to each culture's required expected norms.

Aloha

P.S. What happened to the old custom of no dowry no marriage? Ah, I remember now, the story of Cinderella. Rescue a scullery scut,
she will turn into a princess.

 

[ductrung3993]

Alonso or Verstappen.

Vettel is not that good when he is not in an amazing car, and also lost to Ricciardo when they were on the same time.
Hamilton is good at doing poles or fast laps but not well rounded. Alonso tied him in his first season at McLauren, when Hamilton is used to the car already.

 

[-NN-]

Alonso or Verstappen.

Vettel is not that good when he is not in an amazing car, and also lost to Ricciardo when they were on the same time.
Hamilton is good at doing poles or fast laps but not well rounded. Alonso tied him in his first season at McLauren, when Hamilton is used to the car already.

Where do I start with this...

I'll just address one part. Hamilton tied Alonso (beat him) in his rookie season at McLaren while Alonso was already a double world champ.

Verstappen is potential right now. What has he proven with regards to already being the best? Ricciardo was better than him last season and is smashing him in points this season. I do think Verstappen can surpass all the other drivers currently in F1 though. Until Max has a clean season against another top driver which isn't constantly scuppered by bad luck we won't know how good he currently is.

 

[chmee]

[Alonso] His talent is up there with the best ever but there's something abrasive about his personality which hasn't landed him the same opportunities as some other greats + he's had genuine bad luck...

How very true. Since he left Renault he did only wrong moves and it has to do with his character also. Ie he offered to drive for the Mercs for free after Nico announced his retirement, but given his history there (the half season w/ Lewis as McLaren & Mercs were still partners), they didn't even consider his offer.

One almost expects the next season Honda will bring on a superior power unit & Toro Rosso winning the title

 

[dgold44]

IMO the only real candidates can be Vettel, Hamilton, and Alonso.

Obviously in driving titles it is Vettel 4 (vying for a 5th and leading the standings currently), Hamilton 3 (vying for a 4th currently), Alonso 2 (not been in the right car at the right time to be in contention for awhile).

If you went by achievements it would be Vettel. However it seems clear Alonso had it the worst of the three by a long ways as far as cars, despite often being in one of the top few cars, I dont think there is a single year of his whole career he was in truly the fastest car, including the 2 years he won the Drivers Title. And many years he is with Ferrari or whoever they arent as good as they are other years, his timing in the last 5-6 years imparticular has been awful.

So I guess it could be any of the 3. I would pick either Vettel or Alonso when Hamilton is neither the most accompished (Vettel) and I cant imagine him likely winning the 2 Drivers titles Alonso won while with Renault either.

Man those race car guys are nuts !!!!
I would have a cerebral hemorrhage going that fast
How do they do it and stay focus

 

[JW10S]

Impossible to say, the only way to compare is if they were in the same cars. Hamilton has had the advantage the previous half dozen years or so because he had without question a superior car.