No I don't believe there have been lesser drivers in F1. To be fair here, Patrick herself is no longer talking of a F1 career, it is simply some of her supporters who may be getting carried away. To be brutally blunt, Patrick who is nearing 30, has but one professional win, ever in major motorsport. In the major feeding series, Formula Ford, Atlantic etc., she has no titles, or wins. On the big Indy ovals, she is a competent driver, content to stay out of trouble, move up with attrition, conserve fuel and hope for a good result. With top equipment and team personnel, this is an excellent strategy for todays IRL. On road courses this strategy works not so well. But F1 has exactly zero ovals. I did not check out all the drivers mentioned above, but noted Scott Speed has some F Renault wins, and a Nascar Truck win to his credit. I would think there are dozens of American drivers with superior open wheel, sports car and stock car credits who are never mentioned for F1. Watching a wet F1 race, or last week Monaco, one is reminded of the true caliber of F1 drivers; it is no put down to point out that Danica Patrick does not belong in this select group, based on her racing credentials.