M S medal 6367 3 years 266 days ago
Juan Manuel Fangio
Jim Clark
Ayrton Senna
Michael Schumacher
Lewis Hamilton
So many to choose from. In other sports things are easier to compare but in Formula 1 as we all know due to different Formulas and differrent cars in differrent eras it's not easy or straight forward. But the drivers who stand out from the crowd and in thier respective times and eras the above mentioned absolutely bossed it.
Fangio's win rate is insane compared to races entered
Clark was crazy quick
Senna was fast all round only if he was with us longer
Schumacher broke all the records
Hamilton statistically most successful driver as he owns most in every aspect.
When comparing people say Hamilton has it easy as he has best car, not as strong teammate, etc. But this sort of scrutiny applies to all drivers. Schumacher also had best car, he also had easy teammates who weren't allowed to challenge him. Senna also had best car, not for his entire career but then No one wins Championships in slowest car on grid. Fangio swapped many teams and he too had best cars, hence the high win ratio to races entered. Clark was quick too but he had good car too.
Other drivers such as Lauda, Stewart, Prost, Alonso, Vettel, etc are great drivers actually but are they in contention for G.O.A.T in my personal opinion not.
Shu Kurneai medal 5739 3 years 266 days ago
Obviously, the answer is Pastor Maldonado
John Doe medal 5000 3 years 262 days ago
My oh my, looks like i screwed up the thread here... lemme explain....
Marc is a 8 time world champion, winning 1 title on 125cc in 2010, then two years later on his one better in Moto2 2012, then 6 multiple title later on in MotoGP.
Much earlier, Valentino had the same record. 1 title on 125 in 97 then 250 in 99, and afterwards had 7 title on MotoGP, lastly on 2009.
While Seb Loeb alone, he was called the nine time world champion based on his premier class WRC title victories from 2004-2012. Before began his full season in 2003, he had won the 2001 1.6L championship, which was the lower entry before taking step as a premier class driver based on the FIA World Rally Championship in the past. Which in the all time official world rallying, Loeb actually had 10 titles.
Michael Schumacher and Lewis alike is entitled that way as well... honored by their title wins on the premier main division much as most elite F1 drivers. Meanwhile the other motorsport may enlist their sub racing classes or divisions. Of course, Lewis or Michael alike had their sub class titles before seeking the eyes of F1 world racing...
In addition, Rossi is not the one who has the most of all time titles honor. It is yet still Giacomo Agostini who has 15 all time title wins. I forgot about who was the 2nd most on possesion. Rossi alone is 3rd greatest in numbers.
Therefore it takes different referral.. also for me as well. Of course rallying and open wheel circuit or bike racing are different. One thing for sure... whoever they are, they will be savoured for good...
John Crozier medal 5000 3 years 261 days ago
For pure alien talent it has to be Senna in my books.
Unfortunately due to the modern cars (and all the aero, electronics, and limitations that come along with them) the more modern drivers don't have the opportunity to shine like the drivers in the golden age of F1 did. I reckon' the optimal skill-set is different nowadays, and drivers don't have as much opportunity to give ten tenths.
That's just my opinion of course! I feel you need to specify what aspects are most important to the title GOAT. If it's pure speed when given the bare essentials - a wheel, 3 pedals, and a manual shifter - it'll be someone like Senna. If it's ability to manage aero with narrow operating parameters, maps for engine/throttle/traction control/differential/etc, and things like kers/drs - it might be someone like Hamilton (or if he were young today maybe Prost :D )
There is an interesting article here that uses huge amounts of qualifying data and clever heuristics to give an answer:
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.hamilton-schumacher-senna-machine-learning-reveals-the-fastest-f1-driver-of.3DwwPLW4glCmlunjciH1Cz.html
Bob Ty medal 5000 3 years 260 days ago
Guys another thing Is that each decade have different cars. The 50s had thin cars and engines that weren’t as fast than today. Fangio, Ascari and Moss has pure driver talent. The 60s had better engines than the previous decade and drivers like Clark, Hill and McLaren were great drivers. The 70s had Lotus, McLaren and Ferrari who had incredible cars like the ground affect car from Lotus in 78. The 80s had Senna who was an icon and others like Prost, Piquet and Mansell. The 90s had Senna, Hill (Damon) and Schumacher. The 2000s had The Schumacher brothers, Alonso, Hamilton and Button. The 2010s had Hamilton, Vetel, Rosberg, Bottas, Alonso and Verstappen
