Formula One: The Champions: 70 years of legendary F1 drivers (Volume 2) (Formula One, 2) Formula One: The Champions: 70 years of legendary F1 drivers (Volume 2) (Formula One, 2) Hardcover Kindle

Introduction

The Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship is the ultimate accolade in motor sport. Thirty-three men have been bestowed with the title since its introduction in 1950. These individual characters of widely differing classes and creeds may have been shaped by fourteen nationalities but every World Champion has been united by a singular determination to maximise a very special skill. The fact that such relentless resolve and thrilling talent had to be maintained across an entire season has helped elevate each driver into a pantheon of sporting achievement that sets them apart from the rest.

That is not to say that other drivers were less deserving; merely that this select group worked the demanding and diverse circumstances to best advantage. Their stories, gathered within the covers of this book, may vary greatly but the end result was always the same: recognition as the top driver in the world, regardless of how the accolade was achieved.

Debate has raged – and will doubtless continue to fulminate for another seventy years – over which driver is the best of the best. It is impossible to say. But that will not deter energetic and informed discussion, usually predicated on a personal preference swayed by affection.

Such feelings of fondness are inevitable in a sport providing a platform for breath-taking ability that is played out against a potentially hazardous backdrop.

Motor racing, through its wheel-to-wheel high-velocity environment, frequently gives virtuosity an extra edge. Each of these champions will have experienced and delivered that pulse-raising dynamic many times over. This collection of pen portraits will hopefully help you choose which one best meets your criteria and preferences.

Nelson Piquet

1981, 1983, 1987

It’s not often – if ever – that Formula 1 mechanics care to run a fan club for their driver. But that’s what happened at Brabham when Nelson Piquet was not just the lead driver but also a mate with no airs or graces. It exemplified Nelson’s simple choices at the time; driving race cars and having fun.

That had been his ethos ever since arriving from Brazil in 1977, even though finding a drive was as difficult for Nelson Piquet Souto Maior (his full appellation before adopting his mother’s maiden name) as it would be for any 24-year-old, inspired by Emerson Fittipaldi but with nothing more than a few national championships to his name and very little knowledge of the English language.

Piquet’s ability spoke for him when he managed to win a couple of Formula 3 races in Europe with his own car; enough to earn a works drive that brought victory in the 1978 British F3 Championship – and the attention of F1 teams. Almost before he knew it, Nelson was making his debut with a private entrant in the German Grand Prix that year, followed by three more outings with another small team.

His ability to stay out of trouble in such high-profile surroundings was enough to warrant a third entry by Brabham for the final races of the 1978 season in North America.

Lewis Hamilton

2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019

As a youngster competing in karting, Lewis Hamilton was heavily influenced by Ayrton Senna. By the time Senna had won forty-one Grands Prix and three world titles in 1993, Hamilton was eight years old and beginning a motor-racing career that would actually surpass his hero.

As British Karting Champion that year, Hamilton got to meet Senna. Whereas other Formula 1 drivers had tended to ignore the youngster, Senna extended a firm hand, looked Lewis in the eye and spoke as one racer to another. It epitomised all that Hamilton had expected and, poignantly, exacerbated his deep sense of sorrow a few months later when Senna was killed during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

But the inspiration had been deeply ingrained, Lewis drawn by what he described as the Brazilian’s dramatically different style of very fast driving, coupled with a warrior-like refusal to be beaten. Senna’s performances had an unmistakable edge.

Hamilton would bring the same sense of excitement and anticipation to F1 from the moment of his first Grand Prix at the age of twenty-two.

His debut with McLaren was almost preordained, Lewis having boldly introduced himself to Ron Dennis in 1994 and informed the McLaren boss that he intended to drive for him one day.

Quietly impressed by such polite audacity and confidence, Dennis watched with increasing interest as Hamilton won championships in Formula Renault, Formula 3 and GP2; impressive progress that effectively guaranteed a place alongside Fernando Alonso for the 2007 F1 season.