So, here's what I think will prove to be an interesting and illuminating discussion. I've been reading through Roger Smith's Formula 1: All The Races since Christmas and got to thinking about the respective merits of Formula 1's British drivers. I came to the opinionated conclusion that the two greatest British F1 drivers since 1950 were both Scotsman - Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart. Given that that was pretty clear-cut to me, I then got to thinking more specifically about English drivers, which I find to be a much more contentious topic.
The question is difficult because there are a number of drivers I would consider to be of similarly outstanding talent. I find it difficult to compare contemporary drivers Hamilton and Button to those of the past, as judgement of past drivers must be influenced by highs and lows over their whole careers, making a comparison between past and present rather hasty. Nigel Mansell was a tempting option, but then I thought about Graham Hill; the only English driver to win two world championships. That said, there was an element of luck in that - it is difficult to argue that he would have won in 1968 were it not for Clark's untimely death after the season's first race. Then I thought about John Surtees, 1964 World Champion who likely would have been champion in 1966 but for his fall-out with Ferrari. That said, from what I've read Surtees also had difficulties with the management at both Honda and BRM, so perhaps his tempestuous nature should count against him. So in the end I came back to Hill Snr, not only a double world champion but also three-times a runner-up.
To clarify, I'm looking at drivers solely by the way they handled their careers, and ultimately the way they drove in the pursuit of success, rather than their public image or any ethics they may have with which you strongly concur. So - what do you think? And how do you think your pick compares to the Scottish duo of Clark and Stewart? I include in the poll all eight English World Champions, along with Stirling Moss as I suspect he may be a popular choice.