Favourite Driver...Why??

[Mr V]

everybody has their favourites, many apparent by the names they give themselves in this forum!! but i'm interested as to why each member favours their driver over everybody else in f1.

my favourite is juan pablo montoya....and the reasons:-

1.he comes from a country without too much of a racing heratige.
2.prepared to take anybody on.
3.totally laid back.
4.downright fast.
5.(and most impressive to me) his car control, he appears to go everywhere sideways, a driving style that shouldn't really be the quickest way to drive, but still doesn't seem to slow him down.

so, why is your favourite driver, your favourite driver?

[Raoul Duke]

Well If I could only pick one favourite. Then it's Ralf

Reasons.

He was able to step from outside of his brothers shadow

He scored a podium in just his 3rd GP ever

A few stupid comments that he's made aside, he's prooven himself avery capable race winner and championship challenger .

[race aficionado]

Hmmmmmmmm.....
Let me think . . . . .

Juan Pablo Montoya!

A fellow Colombian that brings pride to my fellow countrymen.

A fellow human being that transcends his nationality and is admired world wide.

A guy oooozing with talent and aware that talent alone won't get him to the top.

Therefore, a hard and dedicated worker willing to grow.

A man aware of his place in history and his willingness to asume that responsability.

A guy that likes to have fun while straapped in a car going at insane speeds.

His cool attitude.

I could go on . . . . . . . .

[mac]

My favourite driver will always be Alex Zanardi. Unfortunately we never saw the best of him in F1 due to a number of reasons (which I have previously highlighted on these boards - if anyone would like me to, I could re-post "The Real '99 Zanardi Story").

For me, Alex was the most exciting racing driver of the modern era (the mid to late '90s - and even 2001). The only guy who has come close is Montoya. However, I still give the nod to Zanardi. JPM has the more exciting driving style, but Zanardi had the wood on JPM in the overtaking stakes. The way Alex could fight through from the back of the field (something JPM could not do) in CART was amazing. For those of you who highlight JPM's 2001 overtaking moves in F1 - I suspect that Alex made more moves in '99, but the Supertec in the back meant that the car was further down the grid, meaning less TV time. I remember watching the Barcelona race, and seeing (by the timing on the screen) Zanardi pass (not just get a good start, but in the actual race) 3 guys in the first 20 laps .... at BARCELONA! Not one of them was shown on camera. But then, the car followed the script of '99 and the clutch broke at his first pitstop.

Of the current lot, Fisichella is my fave. For me he is the only one around with the good personality (just because you can drive fast, doesn't mean you have to be a toolspank), fighting qualities and aggressive style that I admire in a good racing driver.

If Webber gets a drive, Fisi would be reduced to second favourite. I'm dying for an Aussie to get a run. Mark's as nice a guy as anyone in motor racing. He's fast, aggressive, and he's had to work incredibly hard to get to the situation he is in now. No easy rides into F1 for Mark. Good luck champion!

[Mr V]

hey there mac..i ain't been a member on 10/10ths for that long so feel free to re-post ya alex story.

[av8rirl]

Of all time: Ayrton Senna

Proud to be Brazilian. Pure goodness in the body of a human being.
Loved and adored in his own country and all over the world.
Used this position to help (and still helping) others not as fortunate.
Talent and determination that brought him to the top of everything he ever did. Worked harder than any other driver of his era.
Single-minded, focused on the job at hand when in a racing car.

Thanks to Ralph Firman for convincing him to come back to England to race FF2000 (in the Little Chef beside Snetterton - very famous little place)

I could go on and on and on and on...... but you get the idea... I'll bet everyone remembers where they were at the very time they heard that he had left us on 1 May 1994. I'm not much into religion but he was GOD.

JPM is the only one who can come close in the near future. Even though TGF is a great driver and has all the records to prove it (except 65 poles), he just doesn't have the personality (and never will).

[DNQ]

I do not have a favourite driver. I don't know why, but I don't. Quite a shame really. My last 'favourite driver' was probably Damon Hill, but at the moment, I am without a driver to cheer. Probably Montoya if anyone - spectacular, and he actually has a personality

[f1manoz]

My favourite was Hakkinen, but since his retirement, I've always been a fan of Nick Heidfeld.

Why?

Proven winner - German F3, F3000 (most race win tied with JPM) and will soon be a winner in F1
Determined
Never gives up (e.g: Prost 2000)
Damn quick
Single-minded
He keeps out of the media most of the time, so in effect a quiet chap
Has not let the Kimi saga affect him too much (only spoken to the media twice about it)

And to add everything up, I think he's just one of the young exciting drivers coming through who will soon be at the top of the game.

Other favourites are JPM (no reasons needed), Trulli and, if he gets the seat, Webber (Finally! an Aussie to cheer)

[Gt_R]

Of the 2002 grid, i'd be the first here to say Michael. And i guess i don't have to say the reasons because nobody's gonna accept them...


And close behind...JPM- another driver worthy. He is still relatively new to F1 so i'm still watching and evaluating... but still one of the guys i prefer


Why them? Racers and drivers on the extreme limit. Superb to watch and one-of-their-kind. And i follow my heart as much as my head... they are the ones.

Other drivers worth a mention that i like more than others? Fisi and Nick. nice chaps, great drivers all.

[timbo2001]

Im with you mac - If Webber gets a drive he will be my fav, for these simple reasons: he is a fellow countryman, a nice bloke, and a talented driver. Of the current F1 drivers, I would have to agree with many of you in saying JPM. His fiery personality, aggressive style, and the way he treats Ralf - I'm sorry but I am just not a ralf fan :P

[jcclausen]

I've been following F1 and Champ cars since the early sixties. My favorite of all time is Daniel Sexton Gurney. Reported to be the only driver the great Jim Clark feared. Of contemporary drivers, I agree with an earlier post, Alex Zanardi is/was tremendouly exciting to watch. I was a few feet away when he made "the pass" overtaking Bryan Herta at the top of the corkscrew on the last lap to take the victory at LaGuana Seca. He made for a good show while in CART with Ganassi. Nigel Mansel was very exciting his first year in CART. I'll never forget him qualifying at Long Beach in "93".

[Powered by JPM]

hmm...i'll let you think about this one for one minute...

(....60 seconds later...)

JPM!

- Been following him since his first race CART.
- They guy can just down right drive
- As another fellow Colombian pointed he brings pride to my fellow countrymen. (plus...since Colombia didnt make it to the world cup all we got is Juan this summer)

[Speedworx]

My favourite driver.................

It use to be Mika Hakkinen, but since he isn't racing this year. My favourite is Kimi Raikkonen.

Reasons:

I have followed his career since his Formula Renault days with Manor Motorsport.
talented
determined
super quick

Others I support: Button, Heidfeld, Bernoldi, Panis, Sato, Trulli.

[paulzinho]

AYRTON SENNA DA SILVA

He was fast, was in it to win. Brilliant qualifier. A racer. Outstanding in the dry, unbeatable in the wet. Great knowledge of the car. Very motivated. Wanted to be the best. Drove through pain to win. Got speed out of cars when it just wasn't there. Magic.

[Speedworx]

I never got to see Senna race, but I have seen him on the F1 review videos and liked his style.

[Ralf's Girl]

Originally posted by timbo2001
and the way he treats Ralf - I'm sorry but I am just not a ralf fan :P

You're in trouble, boy...

Well, rather unsurprisingly my favourite driver is Ralf!

My reasons:

1. He's achieved something in F1 despite having the pressure of being "Michael Schumacher's brother" - and is now referred to more as a driver in his own right
2. He's beaten TGF in a straight fight (whether you Ralf-haters like it or not)
3. He's the youngest ever podium finisher...and in his 3rd race

There are other things...but they're a bit difficult to explain - maybe it's that I feel some sort of affinity with Ralf because I know what it's like to be constantly compared to an older sibling.

[Speedworx]

Ralf isn't thats special.

[Mr V]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ralf's Girl
[B]

You're in trouble, boy...

Well, rather unsurprisingly my favourite driver is Ralf!

My reasons:

1. He's achieved something in F1 despite having the pressure of being "Michael Schumacher's brother" - and is now referred to more as a driver in his own right
2. He's beaten TGF in a straight fight (whether you Ralf-haters like it or not)
3. He's the youngest ever podium finisher...and in his 3rd race

i'm sorry rg, were picking on rafe again but in answer to your reasons.

1. he's in f1 because of his brother.
2. he's beaten tgf once, and that was in the pits, he couldn't do it on the track, despite constant efforts!
3. he was only on the podium in his 3rd gp cos he punted his team mate out of the way!!


but i s'pose, every drivers gotta have 1 fan.

[GasMan]

I've got to say that while David Coulthard has always been a favourite and no doubt will remain one of the drivers I support I have to admit last season there was a driver that really made me follow him. Kimi Raikonnen. Great racer, true talent and speed in that kid. Seemed to be on the pace right out of the box and kept great performances running in admittedly possibly the best Sauber to date but still a supreme effort consdiering it was a rookie season. Despite the talking through gravel thing, great wee driver.

[neilap]

I dont have a favourite either. Whoever shows up in a Honda is my favourite at the time. In my short time watching F1 however I must say that JPM and JV seem to be two of the better drivers and also not really care about what others say. The two do their jobs and do so well. (I hope I dont get blasted for this)People who have raced in the US seem to have a different outlook on racing than the Europeans. They seem not to get cought up in the BS as much and also seem more relaxed on the track. However they dont seem any better. Also the US drivers will say things like "...it was my fault, I messed up...". That will not come out of the mouth of most other drivers in F1.
Like I said though right now my favourite driver(S) are in Jordan and BAR. Ok maybe not OP. Sato I dont know and GF is new to his team. Damn that only leaves on dude. I love detective work!

[nameless]

im a fan of JPM because he doesnt feel he should 'respect' people like schumacher, he's happy to barge his way through and he's exciting to watch.
i am also a fan of kimi because he is good (what more do you need)
my favourite driver i would say is fisichella, dunno why, i think hes underrated and he is one of the best drivers out there.
of course button coz he's british. i personally think coulthard is not good enough so there is no nationalist bias there.

[Mr V]

reading thro the posts so far it looks like jpm and kimi are everybobys bet so far, i'll bet rafe and nick are pleased about that!!

[f1manoz]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ralf's Girl
[b]He's the youngest ever podium finisher...and in his 3rd race[QUOTE]

ONLY after he was stupid enough to take out his own team-mate, Giancarlo Fisichella (who would have won the race......well, maybe.) The reason I say he may have won is that JV was sick that race and backed off quite a lot, and the time lost spinning was how far back Ralf was at the end (Fisichella had retired from the contact).

[Mr V]

if memory serve correct, a certain prost driver by the name of olivier panis would have won had his engine not blown!

[av8rirl]

Originally posted by mr v
reading thro the posts so far it looks like jpm and kimi are everybobys bet so far, i'll bet rafe and nick are pleased about that!!

I reckon that Senna and JPM are the most popular... Hopefully Kimi keeps up the momentum next year.

I've never been a big Fisi fan but he seems to be going well in testing (yeah, I know its only testing and doesn't count).