109 replies to this topic

[MikeTekRacing]

From the more recent era:
On track: Button, Raikkonen (I've really never seen them pushing their competition off track or something like that. The two fairest drivers in my opinion.)
Off-track: Button, Webber (kind off)

button just pushed out perez in monza

[Oho]

It's losing one's composure. Just like shouting "he broke my ****ing head" is.

 

No it isn't....

[ensign14]

Based on the way Stirling speaks of him, I'd say Fangio. 

 

Tony Brooks, another candidate for the thread, also said JMF was a true gentleman.

 

Jo Bonnier used to host F1 parties in his castle.  As the son of a diplomat presumably his behaviour was impeccable.  Although there was the story about when Rob Walker (gentleman par excellence) told Bonnier that the next year he was going to downscale to one car, Bonnier asked what was going to happen to his team-mate...

[ensign14]

I misremembered the points standings. I forgot he needed the race win. I guess there was still the chance that Moss might have retired but you are correct.

 

It was an unintentional embellishment!

 

I think Musso was ahead at the time as well.  Musso, with the red mist of being an Italian winning the Italian GP, briefly got ahead of Collins, and then broke the car.  Ferrari had suggested to Musso at his stop to let JMF in.  His refusal probably cost him the win.

[rf90]

The most sporting and selfless act I can think of, is Moss arguing Hawthorn's case with stewards, that then allowed Hawthorn to take the title from Moss. That is amazing.
As for gentlemanly on track.. I'm not sure any modern drivers can claim to be a gentleman on track, the cars are so safe now, and the consequences of contact are not as severe as days of old.

[darkkis]

It's losing one's composure. Just like shouting "he broke my ****ing head" is.

Stupid claim. And how is this relevant to the topic at all?

[Fontainebleau]

Based on the way Stirling speaks of him, I'd say Fangio. 

 

José Froilán González would also explain how Fangio, who was at the time driving for Alfa Romeo, took him to Silverstone on the day before the 1951 GP to teach him all the track's secrets and how to maximise his performance there. It was González's first race under a proper Ferrari contract, and Fangio knew how important it was for him to perform well, even if he also knew that the track was much better suited for the Ferraris than for his Alfa Romeo and that, in all likelihood, he was giving his young friend the information he needed to beat him.

 

Also, González explained that, when Ascari's car broke down during that race while González was leading, he was expecting to be asked to give his seat to Ascari (as his contract stated), but that Ascari himself told him to stay put and win the race. And win he did, the first GP victory for Ferrari, giving González a place in F1 history books - thanks to the gentlemanly behaviour of both Fangio and Ascari.

[30L]

button just pushed out perez in monza

 

  Indeed he did, and also Button is one of those drivers that tends to "whine" a lot, that is far from being a gent, besides we all know being charming is part of his act since he is not the fastest driver out there so imho he's not a gent, at least not as the likes of Clarke, Fangio or even Häkkinen...

[Francesc]

Elio.

[JimiKart]

It's losing one's composure. Just like shouting "he broke my ****ing head" is.

 

Nonsense on Mika crying... and with regard JPM, his head was ****ing broken so of course he's gonna lose his composure...