I thought it would be interesting to rate the F1 drivers that don't get the attention the champions receive. These are drivers who were teamed with a driver who won that year's championship, taking part in at least 75% of that year's events, but were never able to win the crown themselves. The first poll lists most of the drivers who qualify to these conditions. Unfortunately, the poll only allows 20 choices, so I was forced to leave off 2 drivers. My deletions were: Hector Rebaque, 1981 - teamed with Nelson Piquet and John Miles, 1970 - teamed with Jochen Rindt. I also left out Felipe Massa and Nico Rosberg, who would have qualified for this poll, but they are still active and could conceivably take the championship (well, one of them maybe).
More significantly, I also left out the drivers whose careers were cut short by fatal accidents. My reasoning was that most of them were too good to be considered number 2 drivers, and had they had full careers several of them would likely have won the crown. I've therefore included a second poll of just these drivers so you can check off the drivers that you would have included among your top 5 if given the chance.
Here are my choices:
1. Stirling Moss. Head, shoulders and navel above any other driver on this list. Anyone who doesn't include his name isn't qualified to participate in this poll. But, hey, that's just my opinion.
2. Rubens Barrichello. Better than he's given credit for. Excellent in the backup role, although he'd bristle at the thought.
3. Mark Webber. I've always rated him highly. Could have easily won the crown in place of Vettel in 2010. I think he lost his confidence and/or motivation toward the end.
4. Carlos Reuttemann. Lots of speed. Could beat anybody when his head was on straight. A little inconsistent though. Perhaps not enough of a team player to be considered a great number 2.
5. Gerhard Berger. Another driver ideally suited for a backup role.
If they had been included in the poll, I would put Nico at number 2. Felipe would be close to making my top 5, but more likely 6th - even though he was THAT close to taking the overall crown.
Here's my choices if the drivers in the second poll were included:
1. Stirling Moss. My only choice from the first poll to make the overall list.
2. Gilles Villeneuve. Yes, I'm one of those Gilles fans.
3. Ronnie Peterson. Really, really fast. Lacked the development skills to be a great number one.
4. Wolfgang von Trips. Went into his last race leading the championship.
5. Francois Cevert. I'm not sure if he'd have ever been champion (especially if he'd stayed loyal to Ken Tyrrell), but he certainly left his mark as Jackie's backup.