Top 10 F1 Drives [Split Topic]

In honour of F1's 1000th race,

The top 10 drives of all time
Curated by David Tremayne for F1.com
Not to be confused with top 10 races

10. Spain 1996 Schumacher
9. Canada 2011 Button
8. Silverstone 2008 Hamilton
7. Monza 1976 Lauda
6. Spain 1981 G Villeneuve
5. Nurburgring 1957 Fangio
4. Brazil 1991 Senna

3. Nurburgring 1961 Stirling Moss
2. Spa 1963 Clark

1. Nurburgring 1968 Stewart

Edited by TomNokoe, 11 April 2019 - 11:28.

The top 10 drives of all time
Curated by David Tremayne for F1.com
Not to be confused with top 10 races

10. Spain 1996 Schumacher
9. Canada 2011 Button
8. Silverstone 2008 Hamilton
7. Monza 1976 Lauda
6. Spain 1981 G Villeneuve
5. Nurburgring 1957 Fangio
4. Brazil 1991 Senna

The top 3 will be revealed over the next 3 days.

Not much to disagree with on that list (although Fangio’s German GP Drive was before my time).

If I were to speculate on the top 3 it would be (in any order you like):
Clark, Monza 67
Stewart, Nurburgring 68
Senna Estoril 85 (as Senna himself didn’t rate Donington 93 himself I guess it excludes itself, although I would have the temerity to disagree with him)

Regards Mike

The top 10 drives of all time
Curated by David Tremayne for F1.com

 

9. Canada 2011 Button

 

Not to take anything away from Button, but that race in Canada was a disaster and he benefited from that numerous times.

 

The guy has driven some fantastic races in semi-wet conditions, I'd struggle to put this one on the shortlist.

 

Oh well, to each his own!

 

I'm curious if the top three will see either Singapore 2013 or Spa 2002 from Vettel and Schumacher respectively. Both utterly, almost unbelievably, dominant.

Lol @ Button 2011. So many reasons why that was one of the most overrated drives if all time.

To be above Schumacher's 1996 Barcelona is sacrelige, smh

I'm curious if the top three will see either Singapore 2013 or Spa 2002 from Vettel and Schumacher respectively. Both utterly, almost unbelievably, dominant.

Oh... then 1st= must be Montoya Pau '97 and Hockenheim 03.

Lol @ Button 2011. So many reasons why that was one of the most overrated drives if all time.

To be above Schumacher's 1996 Barcelona is sacrelige, smh

 

I'm not the biggest Jenson fan but if ever a drive (even if it was just the last few laps) snatched victory not just from the jaws of defeat but actually from quite a long way down defeats throat, then that was it! 

I think it deserves a place on the list.

 

Regards Mike

Yeah, Button was last with half the race gone. Last to first in half the race was fantastic. Should be on the list.

 

I'd put Schumacher's Spanish win in the top 3 though.

Not to take anything away from Button, but that race in Canada was a disaster and he benefited from that numerous times.

The guy has driven some fantastic races in semi-wet conditions, I'd struggle to put this one on the shortlist.

Oh well, to each his own!

Same here. On his way to victory he had both Alonso and Hamilton off the road.

I'm not the biggest Jenson fan but if ever a drive (even if it was just the last few laps) snatched victory not just from the jaws of defeat but actually from quite a long way down defeats throat, then that was it! 
I think it deserves a place on the list.
 
Regards Mike

He did have some epic pace in the closing laps, and clawed his way back from last to take the lead on the final lap, so that alone deserves a place for the comeback. It was an adventurous afternoon for JB!

He crashed into both Hamilton and Alonso?! He was last due to his own dodgy driving, and was saved by a red flag and numerous safety cars (some of which were caused by him!)

Then if Vettel is as much of a fraud as is common thought around here now, him spinning and bottling it last lap handed Button victory. With that standard, might as well have half of Hamilton's wins last season up there. In fact, Hockenheim 2018 from Hamilton is a much better drive.

I preferred many of Button's other drives over this one as well.

This seems more like a most memorable or spectacular races list than a best drives list. At least for Button and Hamilton I could easily list plenty of better drives from them.

Japan 2005 Kimi will probably be #1.

I wonder if we will see Monza 2008 or Brazil 2012 for Vettel. Or Imola 2005 or Valencia 2012 for Alonso.

He crashed into both Hamilton and Alonso?!

 

The one with Hamilton was Lewis' fault, and the Alonso one was just a racing incident.

Hockenheim 03.

 

That was another great drive for sure.
 

The top 10 drives of all time
Curated by David Tremayne for F1.com
Not to be confused with top 10 races

10. Spain 1996 Schumacher
9. Canada 2011 Button
8. Silverstone 2008 Hamilton
7. Monza 1976 Lauda
6. Spain 1981 G Villeneuve
5. Nurburgring 1957 Fangio
4. Brazil 1991 Senna

The top 3 will be revealed over the next 3 days.

Probably won't be up there, but Alonso's 2010 Malaysia drive was epic before the DNF (clutch gave out, and he had to basically rev-match the downshifts, and was still putting in competitive times).

 

This one: https://www.youtube....h?v=wEyoWVtIYPI

 

Again, a lot to ask to be on that list, but I hold that drive in extremely high regard.

I'll bet they come up with Spa 95 and Donnington 93 in the top three.

 

Bergers win at Hockenheim 97 was impressive, given he'd missed three races prior and was still carrying a sinus problem. 

Edited by danmills, 08 April 2019 - 20:22.

Button in 2011 shouldn't be on the list, and I was always a Jenson fan over Lewis. Not a chance.

The 2005 Japanese GP was incredible and the single greatest thing Kimi ever did in F1. That has to be top three.

Schumacher's three stop sprint in Hungary 1998 and Hakkinen's 'spinner takes it all' comeback with THAT pass on Schumi in Belgium 2000....

For a bit of a wildcard how about Jacques Villeneuve pushing his weedy Williams every single lap, launching it over the kerbs with virtually no downforce, four wheels in the air, keeping the two McLaren-Mercedes' honest on merit at Hockenheim in 1998?

The 2005 Japanese GP was incredible and the single greatest thing Kimi ever did in F1. That has to be top three.

I'd put Kimi at #1. That was insane.

Moss at Monaco 1961 should be up there, even if arguably not even his best drive that month!

Tremayne loves Clark so Monza 1967 is guaranteed. Maybe Rindt at Monaco 1970, even if Jochen was asleep for most of the race. JYS at Nurburgring is worthy, although the great ego himself would plump for Monza 1973.

Edited by E.B., 08 April 2019 - 20:54.

I wouldn't have Canada 2011 from Button on this list.

I'd have Gilles at Monaco 1981 in there. Should that car have been in the top 10 at that track? Let alone in a position to win the race...

With Senna it will be either Donington '93 or Estoril '85.

So many to choose from.

Edited by PlayboyRacer, 08 April 2019 - 21:01.

Lol Spain 96 behind Silverstone 2008 ahahahahaahahahahahahahahahah

 

This chart is already crap and not even started.

Loving how we can come with a dozen drives worthy of the top three that are not yet in the top 10.

Button in 2011 shouldn't be on the list, and I was always a Jenson fan over Lewis. Not a chance.

The 2005 Japanese GP was incredible and the single greatest thing Kimi ever did in F1. That has to be top three.

Schumacher's three stop sprint in Hungary 1998 and Hakkinen's 'spinner takes it all' comeback with THAT pass on Schumi in Belgium 2000....

For a bit of a wildcard how about Jacques Villeneuve pushing his weedy Williams every single lap, launching it over the kerbs with virtually no downforce, four wheels in the air, keeping the two McLaren-Mercedes' honest on merit at Hockenheim in 1998?

Japan 2005 is Raikkonens greatest drive no question. Hungary 1998 a legendary drive from Schumacher, perhaps not top 10 all time but it's in his greatest drives. Lets not forget that wasn't a brilliant Ferrari he pulled that off with.

Hockenheim 1998 is in JV's top 5 all time drives, that thing was a bucket. For pure brilliance, his best imo was Portugal 1996 and that outrageous pass on Schumacher.

http://grandprixhist...nurburg1968.htm

The Nurburgring is a track on which I had always wanted to win a Grand Prix because I think it certainly is the greatest challenge to a driver, and I must say winning it in the rain was very satisfying.

Hill of course lost a lot of time when he spun and stalled the engine, which didn't harm Jackie's winning margin!

What about any of the John Watson drives through the field? Detroit 1982 and Long Beach 1983 I think.

Edited by PlatenGlass, 08 April 2019 - 22:00.

Lol Spain 96 behind Silverstone 2008 ahahahahaahahahahahahahahahah

This chart is already crap and not even started.

Rain races are generally overhyped. Spain 1996 is nowhere near as impressive if you consider that Schumacher had a spare car for wet weather set up unlike the Williams guys, something people have forgotten over the years. Silverstone 2008 was good, but if you deduct the strategy advantage it's no different to most race wins with bad weather, even plenty from Hamilton himself. And dont get me started on Button 2011...as mentioned, in the end those lists are more made up by what is memorable rather than what the drivers put on the table, not like anyone could even judge that anyways.

Rain races are generally overhyped. Spain 1996 is nowhere near as impressive if you consider that Schumacher had a spare car for wet weather set up unlike the Williams guys, something people have forgotten over the years. Silverstone 2008 was good, but if you deduct the strategy advantage it's no different to most race wins with bad weather, even plenty from Hamilton himself. And dont get me started on Button 2011...as mentioned, in the end those lists are more made up by what is memorable rather than what the drivers put on the table, not like anyone could even judge that anyways.

I generally agree. In fact Spa 96 ( despite the minor help from the SC ) was more impressive.  The F310 was really a crap car.

No mention of Jim Clark's 1963 drive at a damp/wet Spa largely steering one handed (because his car kept jumping out of gear) he managed to still win by nearly 5 minutes.

 

I am glad to see the inclusion on the list of Villeneuve's great defensive drive in Spain 1981. It's a good job the race wasn't ruined by DRS.

 

As for Senna at Donnington '93 I'm not sure how much was Senna and how much was his car's far superior wet weather traction control so I wouldn't have it on my list. 

Edited by RacingGreen, 08 April 2019 - 22:45.

I generally agree. In fact Spa 96 ( despite the minor help from the SC ) was more impressive. The F310 was really a crap car.

It was more than 'minor' help from the safety car. Williams totally screwed up JV's race, on a weekend he was dominating. Still a great drive from Schumacher nonetheless.

That was another great drive for sure.
 

Total domination - though we'll never know how the race would have unfolded if Ralf, Kimi and Rubens had made past the first corner.

A bit surprised European (Valencia) GP 2012 hasn't been mentioned, I thought that was a great race and a great performance by Alonso

Hill of course lost a lot of time when he spun and stalled the engine, which didn't harm Jackie's winning margin!

Of course Graham was already more than 2 minutes behind at that time. I think the spin cost him a minute or so.

 

But one can also see that spin as an indication how treacherous the conditions were, Jackie didn't spin while he was way faster every single lap. Jacky Ickx - a great rain driver - finished fourth nearly 6 minutes behind.

A bit surprised European (Valencia) GP 2012 hasn't been mentioned, I thought that was a great race and a great performance by Alonso

But also a very lucky win. Not nearly among the best 5 Alonso drives IMHO. 

Of course Graham was already more than 2 minutes behind at that time. I think the spin cost him a minute or so.

But one can also see that spin as an indication how treacherous the conditions were, Jackie didn't spin while he was way faster every single lap. Jacky Ickx - a great rain driver - finished fourth nearly 6 minutes behind.

Don't get me wrong, I would quite probably have that drive in my own top 10, I just wanted to add a bit of additional context that Jackie's article omitted.

There are two drives that should be there and won't be.  And they're both at Monaco.

 

Firstly, Panis in 1996.  Yes, there was a lot of attrition.  But Panis was in a Ligier.  They hadn't won for 15 years.  The equivalent today is Perez winning one.

 

And that's the second-best at Monaco.

 

I see my own Panis (careful now) and raise myself a Jean-Pierre Beltoise.

 

The most underrated drive in history.

 

Think about it.  It's Monaco.  It's wet.  It requires the most delicate throttle control and a deft hand on the gear.

 

Beltoise has a V12 BRM.  It has the subtlety of a bucket of lard.  Beltoise has a withered arm because of a motorbike racing accident a decade before.

 

The Rainmaster is Jacky Ickx.  He is close to his F1 peak.  World title runner-up two years before.  He is 40 seconds down on Beltoise at the finish.

 

And he's the only other driver on the lead lap.  The World Champion-to-be is a lap down.  The reigning champ is two down. 

 

On top of which Beltoise had the pressure of never having won a Grand Prix, and having to go on to two and a half hours because the 2hr cut-off isn't in place yet.  And will be because of this race.

 

And was still being wrongfully blamed for the death of Giunti a short while before.

 

And BRM would never come within a sniff of winning a Grand Prix again.

 

It was a Stradivarius of a drive.  A Michelangelo, a Caravaggio, a van Gogh.   And it is almost forgotten today.  Chapeau.

Spain '96 is sorely underrated here. Schumacher's fastest lap was 2.2 seconds quicker than anyone else's, for Gawd's sake. I'd definitely have it above numbers 8 and 9, both of which I think are a bit overrated - excellent drives, but the results were as much about strategy as anything else (particularly in Button's case). Lauda's entry is an incredible tale of bravery and endurance, but in pure driving terms it was a long way from being Lauda's best race.

 

I'm guessing Donington '92 and Monza '67 will feature in the top two, and rightly so. I'm not sure what the other one will be - maybe Jackie Stewart at the 'Ring in 1968?

Monaco 72

....... a Stradivarius of a drive.  A Michelangelo, a Caravaggio, a van Gogh.   And it is almost forgotten today.  Chapeau.

 

There are two drives that should be there and won't be. And they're both at Monaco.

Firstly, Panis in 1996. Yes, there was a lot of attrition. But Panis was in a Ligier. They hadn't won for 15 years. The equivalent today is Perez winning one.

And that's the second-best at Monaco.

I see my own Panis (careful now) and raise myself a Jean-Pierre Beltoise.

The most underrated drive in history.

Think about it. It's Monaco. It's wet. It requires the most delicate throttle control and a deft hand on the gear.

Beltoise has a V12 BRM. It has the subtlety of a bucket of lard. Beltoise has a withered arm because of a motorbike racing accident a decade before.

The Rainmaster is Jacky Ickx. He is close to his F1 peak. World title runner-up two years before. He is 40 seconds down on Beltoise at the finish.

And he's the only other driver on the lead lap. The World Champion-to-be is a lap down. The reigning champ is two down.

On top of which Beltoise had the pressure of never having won a Grand Prix, and having to go on to two and a half hours because the 2hr cut-off isn't in place yet. And will be because of this race.

And was still being wrongfully blamed for the death of Giunti a short while before.

And BRM would never come within a sniff of winning a Grand Prix again.

It was a Stradivarius of a drive. A Michelangelo, a Caravaggio, a van Gogh. And it is almost forgotten today. Chapeau.

A fairytale race, I can remember that like it was yesterday. Didn't he sustain the injuries to his arm at Rheims though, in a sports car race?

Edited by milestone 11, 09 April 2019 - 21:07.

Why are the top drives of all time only wins? Surely Senna's Monaco 1984 has to be on the list, it's for sure much more impressive than Canada 2011 or Silverstone 2008. Like 100 time more impressive.

As this list is David Tremayne, I believe that he'll have Clark Monza '67 at No1. Stewart at Nurburgring '68 at No 2. In third, not sure at all. Likely a Monaco race.

Why are the top drives of all time only wins? Surely Senna's Monaco 1984 has to be on the list, it's for sure much more impressive than Canada 2011 or Silverstone 2008. Like 100 time more impressive.

Clark '67 Monza will win it. He was 3rd.

Rain races are generally overhyped. Spain 1996 is nowhere near as impressive if you consider that Schumacher had a spare car for wet weather set up unlike the Williams guys, something people have forgotten over the years.

It's a fair point you make. Only a couple of races before that in Brazil, Hill dominated in very similar conditions. We hear alot less about that.

Still that Barcelona performance was epic from Schumacher.

Spain '96 is sorely underrated here. Schumacher's fastest lap was 2.2 seconds quicker than anyone else's, for Gawd's sake. I'd definitely have it above numbers 8 and 9, both of which I think are a bit overrated - excellent drives, but the results were as much about strategy as anything else (particularly in Button's case). Lauda's entry is an incredible tale of bravery and endurance, but in pure driving terms it was a long way from being Lauda's best race.
 
I'm guessing Donington '92 and Monza '67 will feature in the top two, and rightly so. I'm not sure what the other one will be - maybe Jackie Stewart at the 'Ring in 1968?

I'd say Schumacher/ Hamilton/ JB have all had better drives, but those three have a good story behind them so journos will always gravitate towards them. It was Schumacher's first Ferrari victory and a dominant wet display, Hamilton demolished the field to an extent last seen with MS in the wet (when the heavy rain came he was 3-4s faster than any other inter runner.. SC these days ) and JB had enough incidents and passing and drama in that one race to fill a season, coupled with seering late race pace.

Hopefully no Donnington '93, as I don't think even Senna rated that one as his best.

It's a fair point you make. Only a couple of races before that in Brazil, Hill dominated in very similar conditions. We hear alot less about that.

Still that Barcelona performance was epic from Schumacher.

The more while he had a misfiring engine on 9 cylinders only.


Fear for Donington '93 being overhyped as usual being the winner. As mentioned already, even Senna himself didn't rate that victory so high and for good reasons too. Estoril '85 was way more impressive and a top 3 for me.

Must agree with Ensign14 that Beltoise's drive in Monaco '72 is vastly underrated as well.

Winner? Well if it will be Nurnburgring '68, then even that one is a repeat of history: Bernd Rosemeyer once did something similar in the ;late 30's with one of those V16 Auto-Unions. talk about a tricky car.


Edit: Also think I would change Villeneuves's Jarama for the Monaco he had. I still remember the sheer amazement of how a turbo car could win at what was rated the most unsuitable track of them all for turbos and still he won. Even if jones should have won the race, then the second place of Gilles would have been beyond belief.
Besides that: Jarama '81 reminds me too much about that one race of Senna in '87 at either Spain or Portugal in which he also held up a string of faster cars behind him with utterly defensive blocking that was a disgrace to watch.

My top drive would be: Gilles in Canada '81. pooring rain, the worst chassis of them all, with a first generation turbocharged engine (close to undrivable in those conditions) loosing his front wing and still end up on the podium...
You'll never see anything like that anymore.....

Edited by Henri Greuter, 09 April 2019 - 07:21.

On reflection I felt Spa '95 was a bit overrated. Coulthard and Alesi dropped out from a potentially winning position with mechanical failures. And then there was the weaving incident with Hill.

Schumacher spain 1996 should be higher on the list. Button deserves a top 10 imo. Kimi's Japan 2005 is one of the top 3 maybe. 

 

some honorable mentions: Senna Estoril 1985, Lauda Monza 1976, Berger Germany 1997 [just after his father died he was simply on another level that day], Alonso Hungary 2003/06, Mansell GB 1992, Hakkinen Europe 1998, Schumacher Hungary 1998, Hill Hungary 1997. 

With Donington 1993, as well as Senna not rating it, I think a lot of people forget that it was actually very close with Prost anyway for much of the race (with Prost getting ahead for a bit when Senna had a delayed stop) and it only became dominant later on because of Prost stalling and making extra stops. If Prost's race hadn't derailed, Senna would have won by a bit and it wouldn't be so remembered.

Edited by PlatenGlass, 09 April 2019 - 08:13.

Rain races are generally overhyped. Spain 1996 is nowhere near as impressive if you consider that Schumacher had a spare car for wet weather set up unlike the Williams guys, something people have forgotten over the years. Silverstone 2008 was good, but if you deduct the strategy advantage it's no different to most race wins with bad weather, even plenty from Hamilton himself. And dont get me started on Button 2011...as mentioned, in the end those lists are more made up by what is memorable rather than what the drivers put on the table, not like anyone could even judge that anyways.

 

I think it is possible to argue that every utterly dominating victory has mitigating circumstances, which magnifies the gap.

 

And that's the second-best at Monaco.

 

I see my own Panis (careful now) and raise myself a Jean-Pierre Beltoise.

 

The most underrated drive in history.

 

Think about it.  It's Monaco.  It's wet.  It requires the most delicate throttle control and a deft hand on the gear.

 

Beltoise has a V12 BRM.  It has the subtlety of a bucket of lard.  Beltoise has a withered arm because of a motorbike racing accident a decade before.

 

The Rainmaster is Jacky Ickx.  He is close to his F1 peak.  World title runner-up two years before.  He is 40 seconds down on Beltoise at the finish.

 

And he's the only other driver on the lead lap.  The World Champion-to-be is a lap down.  The reigning champ is two down. 

 

On top of which Beltoise had the pressure of never having won a Grand Prix, and having to go on to two and a half hours because the 2hr cut-off isn't in place yet.  And will be because of this race.

 

And was still being wrongfully blamed for the death of Giunti a short while before.

 

And BRM would never come within a sniff of winning a Grand Prix again.

 

It was a Stradivarius of a drive.  A Michelangelo, a Caravaggio, a van Gogh.   And it is almost forgotten today.  Chapeau.

 

Great story about Beltoise.

 

What baffles me is that he could perform a true giant-killing performance only once in his career. Or at the very least these must have been very few and far between. How did this happen?