[Oppofeescom]

I am maybe conservative, but I think that FM and LH were the best.

They were the 2 best drivers... in a consistently race-winning car this year.

I could whittle the top drivers to a shortlist of 4 or 5 who would be hard to separate.

[Discus]

I'm surprised that Junior is still racing in F1 next year.

I didn't realise Piquet was confirmed? I heard rumour Bourdais may be joining Renault, which I would love.

Going back to topic, my two drivers of the year would have to be Vettel and Alonso.

All year, they have been the most consistant, and when their cars came good, we saw statistical proof of this. With Alonso and Vettel being (1st + 4rd) top scorers out of the last 8 GPs.

Been a bit of a geek here for you all, and I've worked out the top 7 scorers from the last 8 races.

Alonso - 48
Massa - 43
Hamilton - 40
Vettel – 29
Kubica - 27
Heikki - 25
Raikkonen - 24

Now, to me thats mighty impressive. Renault, over course of the year has been the 4th best car (even then thats arguable), within the last 8 races, it has been the 4th / 3rd best car on the grid without doubt. And yet Alonso is the top scorer. There are 4 other drivers out there with a better car, yet he came out on top.

Same principles apply to Vettel, his car at last 8 races would be maybe the 5th fastest car, that means we have 8 drivers in better cars, yet he still beat them. Over course of the season, finishing 8th in the 6th best car, thats higher than he should be.

Without a doubt, Alonso and Vettel in my mind were the two best drivers this year.

I would say Massa was the forth best this year, behind Kubica.

[Broorbbub]

Going back to topic, my two drivers of the year would have to be Vettel and Alonso.

All year, they have been the most consistant, and when their cars came good, we saw statistical proof of this. With Alonso and Vettel being (1st + 4rd) top scorers out of the last 8 GPs.

Been a bit of a geek here for you all, and I've worked out the top 7 scorers from the last 8 races.

Alonso - 48
Massa - 43
Hamilton - 40
Vettel – 29
Kubica - 27
Heikki - 25
Raikkonen - 24

Now, to me thats mighty impressive. Renault, over course of the year has been the 4th best car (even then thats arguable), within the last 8 races, it has been the 4th / 3rd best car on the grid without doubt. And yet Alonso is the top scorer. There are 4 other drivers out there with a better car, yet he came out on top.

Without a doubt, Alonso and Vettel in my mind were the two best drivers this year.

I would say Massa was the forth best this year, behind Kubica.

Sorry for editing your post in my quote, but I just wanted to focus on Fonzo in my reply.

In the first half of the season, I had the impression that Fonzo was not happy to be at Renault, and was not equipped with a car with which he could compete with the top guys - he was fighting each race with Mark Webber.

Then there came a sudden change in fortunes and attitude and he was fighting with Kube Man and better. Then he was able to win races with the car.

Was it an improvement in the car or car plus Fonzo's attitude? Probably one followed the other.

He seemed happier towards the latter part of the season and his results, as shown by the quote above, improved dramatically. If this was the scenario at the start of the season, Fonzo possibly could have been champion.

I don't know what to make of it, except to say that his improvement was dramatic. He is a very good driver, make no mistake.

[Discus]

Sorry for editing your post in my quote, but I just wanted to focus on Fonzo in my reply.

In the first half of the season, I had the impression that Fonzo was not happy to be at Renault, and was not equipped with a car with which he could compete with the top guys - he was fighting each race with Mark Webber.

Then there came a sudden change in fortunes and attitude and he was fighting with Kube Man and better. Then he was able to win races with the car.

Was it an improvement in the car or car plus Fonzo's attitude? Probably one followed the other.

He seemed happier towards the latter part of the season and his results, as shown by the quote above, improved dramatically. If this was the scenario at the start of the season, Fonzo possibly could have been champion.

I don't know what to make of it, except to say that his improvement was dramatic. He is a very good driver, make no mistake.

Thats an interesting theory, one I disagree with tbh.

If you look at even the start of the season, he was pushing that car way above its potential, but to get it so high up, it meant he often exceeded the limit of the car, hence the mistakes. But I think he has maximised the car start to finish.

Though at the start, pushing over the limit, and hero or zero strategies, they looked poor.

[thargeagsaf]

Two best drivers have been :

Lewis & Massa... followed by Vettel, Alonso and Kubica !

[DfrtYhyu]

Awesome post Mickey T, awesome thread.

I found myself nodding in agreement reading it all way through. Really, you've summed up the season for all. Nothing to add here.

[agildeta]

Thats an interesting theory, one I disagree with tbh.

If you look at even the start of the season, he was pushing that car way above its potential, but to get it so high up, it meant he often exceeded the limit of the car, hence the mistakes. But I think he has maximised the car start to finish.

Though at the start, pushing over the limit, and hero or zero strategies, they looked poor.

I concur

It is obvious to those of us that actually watched the races.

My picks:

1)Fred, head and shoulders above the rest.

2)Hamiton or Vettel (take your pick)

[Luisabens]

i actually though Alonso put in some shockers in the first half of the season at least, albeit trying to drag the car where it couldn't go, but Germany for instance springs to mind, where he spun several times.

i have to say he did have a great close to the season though at put in some great drives once the car was anywhere near competitive.

Vettel was brilliant at times, and stuck out from the crowd.

however the only reason we rememebr all of Felipe's, Hamiltons and Raikkonenes mistajkes is because they were near the front when they made them, i don't think that makes them unworthy winners, for my part i think it has been a highly inconsistent season from most of the drivers, but Alonso and Vettel cetainly do deserve mentioning in the same breath as Kimi, Lewis, Felipe, Kubica for their performances

[sharpyure]

This thought has crossed my mind before but I don’t think it holds water in the end, to say who the best driver is rests on so many factors that you can slant to suit your purpose. I think Alonso, Vettel and Kubica had great seasons but in some sense they had an easier job mentally. No one expected too much from them and they had the freedom of being the guy coming up from the back or mid field, carving their place, whereas the established current front runners have far more considerations, protecting leads, thinking strategically in terms of the championship, dealing with intense pressure scrutiny from the media and their peers.
It just seems too glib and obvious to say Kubica did best; he had the least pressure and expectation. That’s not to say he didn’t do a fantastic job, and Alonso also really showed his worth towards the end of the season, however made his own bed and it was his lack of certain skills outside the car that put him in his present situation, I can’t imagine a Senna or Schumacher showing such poor judgement and petulant behaviour in the management of their career.
Being the best in F1 includes so much more than raw race performance, like those who say, “oh but Hamilton got straight into a good car”, yes he did because he managed his career and showed drive and ambition from a very early age. That opportunity was open to every driver in the field if they had the motivation. But he’s the one who actually did it and that might be hard to take for some but the facts speak volumes, in those terms I think only Vettel has the potential to eclipse him (and speaking as an unashamed fan of Hamilton) I hope he does because that’s what F1 is all about. Hamilton in a Mac versus Vettel in a Ferrari is a race I want to see.

[lh88gFzI]

I agree with Micky,alonso and vettel are genius

[Thomas12400]

Wait. Aren't YOU the 6th post?

I was, yes.
I also agree with post 31 btw

[Broorbbub]

Nobody cares about bunsen anymore.
I thought he was trying, very trying.

[awagsFare]

Hamilton and Alonso
Given equal machinery, they were neck and neck, both leading the WDC all year long and if one acquiesced to the other, either one could have won it.

In all honesty I think Alonso is still the best driver. I don't like his attitude, I am no particular fan of him, but on pure driving he is tops. Hamilton is only slightly behind him and lacks the experience that only years of top racing can give you (which Alonso has). I think that ultimately Hamilton will surpass Alonso in my book, but in 2008/2009 they are 1a and 1b in my book

next tier, Vettel, Kubica and Raikkonen
Of those 3, I rank Raikkonen tops. And his off year is either representative of his diminished interest in racing or simply an off year. If the latter is the case then Kimi is probably close if not part of the top 2 and is probably a 1c. (which he probably will be in 2009) Vettel is undoubtedly an exceedingly good driver and will only improve. But e will have to see how he performs under immense pressure and when called to compete constantly for expected GP wins and titles. Kubica is a bit of an enigma to me,but is still a top driver. Seems to have that special something.

tier below that
Felipe, Bourdias, Webber, Glock
Felipe. a product of circumstance and having an outstanding car. Very good qualifier and fast when conditions are ideal and if leading the race. In any other situation, he has proven to be average at best. He has made incredible strides in 2008 but I remain skeptical about his true abilities.

Bourdais. Watch out next year, I predict a top 7 WDC standing. Now that he has had a year under his belt and will probably assume the #1 status in the team along with Ferrari powered engines, He is likely to turn a few heads next year.

Webber, An enigma here too,but I do strongly believe that if Webber were in the 2nd Maclaren instead fo Kovy,he would have podiumed more and probably won 2 races. He is a really good driver who has always driven average cars.

Glock. I've warmed up to his abilities as the year has gone by and next year will be a banner year for him, He'll totally blow away Trulli and is my dark horse for winning a GP.

[Broorbbub]

Hamilton and Alonso
Given equal machinery, they were neck and neck, both leading the WDC all year long and if one acquiesced to the other, either one could have won it.

.

Really!! and on whose record of results are you basing this on? I don't remember Fonzo leading the WDC at any stage, let alone running neck and neck, and I'm not aware that Fonzo was in a position at any stage to win the WDC.
And I don't think the Renault was equal to the McLaren at all.

You sure you're not thinking about bunsen?

[thargeagsaf]

Hamilton and Alonso
Given equal machinery, they were neck and neck, both leading the WDC all year long and if one acquiesced to the other, either one could have won it.

In all honesty I think Alonso is still the best driver. I don't like his attitude, I am no particular fan of him, but on pure driving he is tops. Hamilton is only slightly behind him and lacks the experience that only years of top racing can give you (which Alonso has). I think that ultimately Hamilton will surpass Alonso in my book, but in 2008/2009 they are 1a and 1b in my book

next tier, Vettel, Kubica and Raikkonen
Of those 3, I rank Raikkonen tops. And his off year is either representative of his diminished interest in racing or simply an off year. If the latter is the case then Kimi is probably close if not part of the top 2 and is probably a 1c. (which he probably will be in 2009) Vettel is undoubtedly an exceedingly good driver and will only improve. But e will have to see how he performs under immense pressure and when called to compete constantly for expected GP wins and titles. Kubica is a bit of an enigma to me,but is still a top driver. Seems to have that special something.

tier below that
Felipe, Bourdias, Webber, Glock
Felipe. a product of circumstance and having an outstanding car. Very good qualifier and fast when conditions are ideal and if leading the race. In any other situation, he has proven to be average at best. He has made incredible strides in 2008 but I remain skeptical about his true abilities.

Bourdais. Watch out next year, I predict a top 7 WDC standing. Now that he has had a year under his belt and will probably assume the #1 status in the team along with Ferrari powered engines, He is likely to turn a few heads next year.

Webber, An enigma here too,but I do strongly believe that if Webber were in the 2nd Maclaren instead fo Kovy,he would have podiumed more and probably won 2 races. He is a really good driver who has always driven average cars.

Glock. I've warmed up to his abilities as the year has gone by and next year will be a banner year for him, He'll totally blow away Trulli and is my dark horse for winning a GP.

Dear friend, this thread is about the best drivers of this season, how can you put Kimi ahead of Massa ? and what Bourdais is doing in your list ? Toro Rosso didn't even confirm him yet ! As for Glock to blow Trulli away next year...stop dreaming

[bataovady]

I think we quite recently had a thread about this year's drivers performances. It appeared a couple of GP's before the season finale though. What about a merge?

[agildeta]

Hamilton and Alonso
Given equal machinery, they were neck and neck, both leading the WDC all year long and if one acquiesced to the other, either one could have won it.

In all honesty I think Alonso is still the best driver. I don't like his attitude, I am no particular fan of him, but on pure driving he is tops. Hamilton is only slightly behind him and lacks the experience that only years of top racing can give you (which Alonso has). I think that ultimately Hamilton will surpass Alonso in my book, but in 2008/2009 they are 1a and 1b in my book

Not a bad pick
However I would put lewis in the second group.
It's my opinnion that Fred is without equal.
As for their endearing hatred of each other!

While the banter goes on in the peanut gallery over their adversarial relationship.
Fred, and Lewis are laughing all the way to the bank!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/motors...5875-20871913/

[STYWOMBORGOSY]

For me the best driver of the year has been Kubica, besides his off at Silverstone I cant think of a serious mistake that he's made all year and was a regular on the podium for 2/3rds of the year before the BMW started lagging. Relentlessly fast as well.

Hamilton second for me, despite some dreadful mistakes he's been very fast as well and consistently on the pace.

Massa has had a very good year, and largely removed the off weekends that he has sufferred before, But whenever Kimi has been really on it, Massa has been behind so I've stil got questions on just how good he is.

Alonso has had a very up and down season. In my mind he is without doubt the best driver in the field and proved it billiantly over the last 5 or 6 races, but for the first 10 or so races this year he was seriously overdriving the Renault and just seemed not to care to much, the result being far too many mistakes.

Vettel, seemed to have trouble finding the end of lap 1 at the start of the race but after the new car came on line he was suppurb. However, it was notable that when Bourdais, who is a very talanted driver but not a great, had a good weekend they were neck and neck.

[awagsFare]

Really!! and on whose record of results are you basing this on? I don't remember Fonzo leading the WDC at any stage, let alone running neck and neck, and I'm not aware that Fonzo was in a position at any stage to win the WDC.
And I don't think the Renault was equal to the McLaren at all.

You sure you're not thinking about bunsen?

ahem, wuz thinking about overall

Dear friend, this thread is about the best drivers of this season, how can you put Kimi ahead of Massa ? and what Bourdais is doing in your list ? Toro Rosso didn't even confirm him yet ! As for Glock to blow Trulli away next year...stop dreaming

my fault, should have read the title better

[Broorbbub]

ahem, wuz thinking about overall

Just for ioan's sake then, could we please include SchM?