232 replies to this topic

[Victor]

The idea is to share your thoughts about the best and lowest moments of F1 drivers. I start with Vettel and Hamilton: Vettel’s first win in Monza 2008 with Toro Rosso was great and gave us a first taste of what would be his mark for the future: winning from pole to the chequered flag. Ironically, his Monza 2019 race was probably his worst moment, simply to forget.

As per Hamilton, I find it difficult to choose his highest moment, as he has plenty to offer. His first GP was great, his first win in Canada 2007 was great, his Brazil 2008 final overtaking giving him is first WDC was simply amazing. I need help to choose his finest moment. On the negative side, I cannot find words to describe his overtaking of the safety car in Valencia 2010. His brain fade in Canada 2008 was also one of his lowest moments. I find it more difficult to choose the best and worst moments of his Mercedes career, as the dominance of his car made the whole thing a bit more flat. Some of you will certainly disagree.

Now what about the Alonsos, the Vertappens and all the others?

 

[danmills]

Still makes me laugh.

 

https://youtu.be/KZsiEU4BB5I

Edited by danmills, 07 June 2020 - 20:53.

[Beri]

Still makes me laugh

https://youtu.be/KZsiEU4BB5I

His high would certainly be his second place at the Spanish Grand Prix in 2000. Just a couple of days after he walked away from a plane crash that did cost the lives of the two pilots.

[Spillage]

Lowest moment for Hamilton would I think be the ingominous pitlane incident at Shanghai in 2007. Highest probably his world title win in Brazil.

 

Damon Hill's were probably both at Suzuka. Lowest here, spinning out in 1995:

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=7WLOtDcCnEk

 

And highest, of course, clinching the title at the same track a year later:

 

https://www.youtube....FsD9NElDa4&t=4s

[PlayboyRacer]

I'll put forward two for the ever polarizing Jacques Villeneuve.

Highest moment - there are quite a few exceptional performances in his career, however I'll go with the 1996 F1 Portuguese Grand Prix. Following on from their race long duel at Spa (tinged with spite, after JV chopped Michael coming out of the pitlane) the reigning CART IndyCar Champion really lit the fuse for their rivalry by pulling off an utterly outrageous, jaw dropping and fearless outside pass on reigning F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher at the banked Parabolica corner. A pass so outrageous Schumacher couldn't even bring himself to praise it, yet called it totally "dangerous". I guess that's the highest praise of all though right? It was a crucial pass too as JV was under pressure to keep his WDC hopes alive after a strong second half of '96 and he had to win the race. Thereafter he completed an epic drive by winning in formidable fashion, setting a blistering pace to overhaul both Alesi and WDC rival Hill to win.

Lowest moment - there is a few here too (particularly from 2003 onwards, it's no secret he declined in F1 terms from his lofty beginnings) but I'll go with the 2001 US Grand Prix. Where, for the first time, his frustrations with a string of mediocre cars for 4 seasons started to take serious toll on his talent and fighting spirit and the reality of BAR regressing from some initial promise through 2000. I'd argue JV actually gave up this particular weekend - which led to him qualifying behind the Minardi of rookie Fernando Alonso. Rather woeful. I'd argue it was the beginning of the end of Villeneuve as a top drawer talent and force.

Edited by PlayboyRacer, 08 June 2020 - 04:40.

[Marklar]

For Hamilton I would actually take Monaco 2011 as the lowest moment. Sure, losing the title technically hurts more, but that weekend felt like a complete car crash from all aspects.

[pitlanepalpatine]

Romain Grosjean,

 

His highlight is probably the US GP 2013 where he managed to hold off Webber even though the Red Bulls were ridiculously over powered towards the end of the season.

 

Low point is probably Baku 2018 with Spa 2012 being a close second.

 

Alonso

My favourite highlight is probably Baku 2018. To start in 13th, have both his right tires punctured at the start and come back to 7th in that shitbox of a Mclaren was pretty spectacular.

 

Lowpoint is probably Singapore 2008 for me.

[PlatenGlass]

For Hamilton I'd say his low point was Australia 2009 and all the mess around that.

And the high point - might as well go with the Glock moment.

Edited by PlatenGlass, 08 June 2020 - 07:38.

[Bleu]

Kimi:
 

Even though winning one title, I would probably put Suzuka 2005 as his highest point. Winning the race from 17th while taking the lead on the final lap.

 

I would put his lowest point on the season he returned to Ferrari. Maybe Silverstone where he had the opening lap crash.

[TN81]

Kimi had many "worst moments" in his carreer (2008, 2014, 2015 and even parts of 2017), I'm surprised how everything had been forgotten, and people still talk about that one race 15 years ago.

 

In comparison, Jenson Button's canadian win is rarely mentioned, and he is still considered as a lucky journeyman.

Edited by TN81, 08 June 2020 - 07:52.

[garoidb]

Alonso

My favourite highlight is probably Baku 2018. To start in 13th, have both his right tires punctured at the start and come back to 7th in that shitbox of a Mclaren was pretty spectacular.

 

Lowpoint is probably Singapore 2008 for me.

 

Baku 2018 is certainly in the highlights reel, and is one of the reasons I think the burden of proof is on those who think he has deteriorated with age. 

 

The low point has to be losing the 2010 championship due to a strategic error and being unable to overtake Petrov to do anything about it.

[Jovanotti]

Kimi had many "worst moments" in his carreer (2008, 2014, 2015 and even parts of 2017), I'm surprised how everything had been forgotten, and people still talk about that one race 15 years ago.

The clue is in the title, "best and worst moments".

[noikeee]

A contender for Alonso's worst moment could be Brazil 2007? With mathematical chances for the title he went completely missing with a bizarrely slow weekend, as his relationship with his team had deteriorated to rock bottom.

[Risil]

Hard to look past Fernando's 2019 Indy 500 for worst moment.

 

Best was the 2005 San Marino Grand Prix, I think. He made such a specialism of winning without the fastest car and this was the definitive example.

[garoidb]

Hard to look past Fernando's 2019 Indy 500 for worst moment.

 

I don't think it can compare to the 2010 and 2012 title deciders. In fact, it hardly matters at all. 

 

His best race - Hungary 2006.

[as65p]

A contender for Alonso's worst moment could be Brazil 2007? With mathematical chances for the title he went completely missing with a bizarrely slow weekend, as his relationship with his team had deteriorated to rock bottom.

 

It was a bizarre weekend for many reasons. Indeed Alonsos weekend seemed strangely subdued driving wise... except for the first lap when he quite cleverly lured Hamilton into an unwise attack resulting in a spin and many lost positions. After that, Alonso didn't seem all that interested anymore to wrestle the championship from Ferrari.

 

But of course there were many more aspects to it. McLaren for example wouldn't have been keen on "ronin" Alonso winning the title either, they would naturally prefer Hamilton on top and concentrate on him over the weekend, probably even after the setback of the first laps.

 

Many indications point to Alonsos main goal over the weekend being to prevent a McLaren title for, first and foremost, Hamilton but also for himself. Sounds somewhat bizzare, but then again it was a bizzare season.

[Fatgadget]

It was a bizarre weekend for many reasons. Indeed Alonsos weekend seemed strangely subdued driving wise... except for the first lap when he quite cleverly lured Hamilton into an unwise attack resulting in a spin and many lost positions. After that, Alonso didn't seem all that interested anymore to wrestle the championship from Ferrari.

 

But of course there were many more aspects to it. McLaren for example wouldn't have been keen on "ronin" Alonso winning the title either, they would naturally prefer Hamilton on top and concentrate on him over the weekend, probably even after the setback of the first laps.

 

Many indications point to Alonsos main goal over the weekend being to prevent a McLaren title for, first and foremost, Hamilton but also for himself. Sounds somewhat bizzare, but then again it was a bizzare season.

It was an epic season right from before it even started...More like that please!

[TheFish]

Vettel's best - 2010 Abu Dhabi. Obviously a big underdog to win the title but was faultless as he easily won the race whilst his rivals were floundering.

 

Worst - 2018 Hockenheim. Leading the race, leading the championship by 8 points, set to increase it comfortably, and then has a pathetic slide into the wall, the beginning of the end of his title challenge.

[Zilbert]

Kimi had many "worst moments" in his carreer (2008, 2014, 2015 and even parts of 2017), I'm surprised how everything had been forgotten, and people still talk about that one race 15 years ago.

 

In comparison, Jenson Button's canadian win is rarely mentioned, and he is still considered as a lucky journeyman.

Well there was more luck involved in Jenson's Canada win than in Kimi's Suzuka. Maybe that's why? 

[Lights]

Button

Worst moment: either 2001 when he didn't know how to be an F1 driver, or early 2012 when he was making dumb mistakes and completely lost the plot with his car.

Best moment: I'd say Turkey 2009. He just won 6 out of 7 races, everyone was making mistakes all around him while he seemed so calm and invincible.

 

Hamilton

Worst moment: Lie gate at Melbourne 2009. I get that he was young, but don't lie like that.

Best moment: He was already on a great run, but then in Singapore 2018 he grabbed that championship by the balls.

 

Vettel

Worst moment: This interview. I'm happy nobody I supported ever did something like this because I wouldn't know how I could continue supporting them.

Best moment: At Red Bull in 2011 and 2013. A well oiled machine, he just took it all and made F1 boring.

 

Ricciardo

Worst moment: Summer 2019. It just wasn't going anywhere, he found himself in a worse team and struggled to beat his teammate. Dumb mistakes in Baku, poor performances and a lot of frustration.

Best moment: Summer 2017, Baku till Singapore was a fantastic series of performances, still beat Max regularly. Another shoot out to his overtake on Vettel at Monza 2014, symbolic for his strong season.

 

Verstappen

Worst moment: Monaco 2018. He already had a run of bad results and then he bins it again while his teammate wins.

Best moment: His whole run in 2018 after Monaco was amazing. 2019 too. Hard to pick out 1 race. There's plenty before 2018 as well.

 

Alonso

Worst moment: The way he conducted himself during 2007 and later with Honda.

Best moment: It's hard to choose between races like Hungary 2006, Singapore 2010, Malaysia 2012, Valencia 2012, Hungary 2014, Baku 2018. He did some legendary stuff.

 

Rosberg

Worst moment: When he became a clickbait vlogger? Regarding racing, Monaco 2016? That was embarrassing. 

Best moment: How he was able to drag the 2016 championship towards him doing all the little things right, like the starts. Besides some luck, but that's to Hamilton's credit.

 

 

[TN81]

Baku 2018 is certainly in the highlights reel, and is one of the reasons I think the burden of proof is on those who think he has deteriorated with age. 

 

The low point has to be losing the 2010 championship due to a strategic error and being unable to overtake Petrov to do anything about it.

 

That was one race. His very poor first half was the reason he lost it. Jump start, crash, qualifying error, illegal overtake.... 2010 was Alonso's second worst season after 2004.

[JRodrigues]

Kimi had many "worst moments" in his carreer (2008, 2014, 2015 and even parts of 2017), I'm surprised how everything had been forgotten, and people still talk about that one race 15 years ago.

 

In comparison, Jenson Button's canadian win is rarely mentioned, and he is still considered as a lucky journeyman.

 

What low was that in 2008?

[Zilbert]

Was there any proof of Mclaren sabotaging Alonso in any real way in 07? If he performed below his standard purely because of animosity towards him of the couple of higher-ups in the team, well, then it's his own failing i am afraid so.

[Ruusperi]

Häkkinen

Worst: One that comes to mind is Monza 1999 and tossing a certain win away due to a silly mistake. But since Mika was on a pole and led the race, that's hardly a bad weekend altogether. So I'll say 1994 Hockenheim. Big shunt in the qualifying. Then at the start cause a pileup and receive a rare race ban. That's a low point for any driver.

Best: Suzuka 1999. While Irvine couldn't hold his nerve and despite Schumi being quicker than anyone in the quali, Mika had a fantastic start, took the lead and made no mistakes (whereas DC crashed on his own). A stellar performance from a two time champion-to-be.

[PlayboyRacer]

Häkkinen
Worst: One that comes to mind is Monza 1999 and tossing a certain win away due to a silly mistake. But since Mika was on a pole and led the race, that's hardly a bad weekend altogether. So I'll say 1994 Hockenheim. Big shunt in the qualifying. Then at the start cause a pileup and receive a rare race ban. That's a low point for any driver.
Best: Suzuka 1999. While Irvine couldn't hold his nerve and despite Schumi being quicker than anyone in the quali, Mika had a fantastic start, took the lead and made no mistakes (whereas DC crashed on his own). A stellar performance from a two time champion-to-be.

Good choices. For the "worst" with Hakkinen, I'd put Nurburgring 1999 instead imo. When Martin Brundle is openly condemning your performance on live TV... you know you've had a shocker...

For his "best", I'd lean towards Nurburgring 1998. He was brilliant that weekend, at a pivotal point of the '98 WDC and under mounting pressure - he beat Schumacher in a straight on track duel.

Edited by PlayboyRacer, 08 June 2020 - 11:32.

[masa90]

Kimi

Worst, most of 2014. Worst season of his whole long career.

Best, stuff like Monaco and Suzuka 2005. 2007 was also good.

Bottas

Worst, Hungary 2018. Slow and crashing all over.

Best,Australia and Suzuka 2019. Great speed and easily fastest in race.

[TN81]

Kimi

Worst, most of 2014. Worst season of his whole long career.

Best, stuff like Monaco and Suzuka 2005. 2007 was also good.

Bottas

Worst, Hungary 2018. Slow and crashing all over.

Best,Australia and Suzuka 2019. Great speed and easily fastest in race.

 

Austin was very good too.

[PlatenGlass]

Frentzen - Maybe his high was leading from pole at the Nurburgring in 1999 after his win at Monza put him in vague contention for the title. This was after his reputation had been severely damaged at Williams. He also had some good highs before Williams like qualifying 3rd at Suzuka in 1994 and his comeback drive at Portugal in 1995.

His low point was probably qualifying nearly 2 seconds slower than Villeneuve at Melbourne in 1997, which set the tone for the whole season and his reputation as the potential Schumacher-beater.

I'll do Gerhard Berger as well. He had a very strong reputation in 1987/8 and I would say the high was leading the early stages of Silverstone 1988 in the wet against Senna. At that point it was easy to imagine him being on the same level.

Low point - joining Senna at McLaren and never reaching those highs again. Maybe it's a bit of a cheat because it's not one exact moment though, just a slow dawning realisation.

[PayasYouRace]

Well there was more luck involved in Jenson's Canada win than in Kimi's Suzuka. Maybe that's why?

Personally I’d rate Jenson’s Japan 2011 as his best though. That year, to beat Vettel at that circuit on a dry track was something special.

[Yamamoto]

Jarno Trulli:

Best moment: Monaco 2004 obviously stands out, but spare a thought for Japan 2009 too, a great drive to beat Hamilton to second. Off the top of my head it was Toyota's last podium.

 

Worst moment: France in 2004, getting passed by Barrichello right at the death. Not a popular moment with the team, and he didn't see out the year.

[cpbell]

His high would certainly be his second place at the Spanish Grand Prix in 2000. Just a couple of days after he walked away from a plane crash that did cost the lives of the two pilots.

I am well aware that DC was a bad qualifier, but, IMO, he was one of the most sportsmanlike drivers of the recent era of Formula 1 and showed his strength of character initially when he replaced a legend to make his GP debut, and then during the mid part of the 2000 season after the plane crash.

[cpbell]

And highest, of course, clinching the title at the same track a year later:

 

https://www.youtube....FsD9NElDa4&t=4s

Surely Damon's best race was Suzuka 1994?

[PayasYouRace]

Surely Damon's best race was Suzuka 1994?

 

I'd agree with that. 1996 was the most poignant, but it was a fairly straightforward win from the front and the pressure wasn't really on, because he only needed to finish 6th to be champion if Jacques won the race.

[TomNokoe]

Half-way through the 1999 French Grand Prix, after retiring with an electrical issue, Damon is interviewed by Louise and almost retires on the spot. I'll try and find it.

Edited by TomNokoe, 08 June 2020 - 19:22.

[Gambelli]

Jarno Trulli:

Best moment: Monaco 2004 obviously stands out, but spare a thought for Japan 2009 too, a great drive to beat Hamilton to second. Off the top of my head it was Toyota's last podium.

 

Worst moment: France in 2004, getting passed by Barrichello right at the death. Not a popular moment with the team, and he didn't see out the year.

 

Yep, Briatore wanted a reason and Trulli handed him one, unfair, but just an awful lapse in concentration on the final corner of a race (I think it was final corner from memory)

 

Okay, Webber:-

 

Worst Moment:  On Track, Korea 2010, spinning out in the wet, sure he wasn't to know how the race was going to play out (Seb DNF) but if you are hoping to be world champion, you have to show it on days like that, he didn't.  Off track, breaking his leg before the 2009 season.  I truly have always believed be could have won the 2009 Championship without his massive bike accident prior to the season, it caused him issues with fitness and getting comfortable in the car and testing and endurance, you name it, and it allowed Vettel to steal a march on him.  Go back and look at how close he was to Button in the championship after Hungary.... I think, and could be telling porkies here, it was something like 14 points.  His year fizzled out afterwards, but with more points banked earlier and some performance over Seb in the beginning might have made it a different season

 

Best Moment:  Sadly, probably his debut race, P5 for Minardi, the Toyota spinning trying to overtake, and going up on the podium.  In my time watching I had never seen a driver outside the top 3 allowed on the podium.  Special mention to his debut win in 2009 Nurburgring, drive through penalty and all, he was world class that day

[Spillage]

Surely Damon's best race was Suzuka 1994?

I was kinda going for his most glorious moment rather than his best performance. I'd agree Suzuka 1994 was a better drive though.

[Yamamoto]

Yep, Briatore wanted a reason and Trulli handed him one, unfair, but just an awful lapse in concentration on the final corner of a race (I think it was final corner from memory)

 

Okay, Webber:-

 

Worst Moment:  On Track, Korea 2010, spinning out in the wet, sure he wasn't to know how the race was going to play out (Seb DNF) but if you are hoping to be world champion, you have to show it on days like that, he didn't.  Off track, breaking his leg before the 2009 season.  I truly have always believed be could have won the 2009 Championship without his massive bike accident prior to the season, it caused him issues with fitness and getting comfortable in the car and testing and endurance, you name it, and it allowed Vettel to steal a march on him.  Go back and look at how close he was to Button in the championship after Hungary.... I think, and could be telling porkies here, it was something like 14 points.  His year fizzled out afterwards, but with more points banked earlier and some performance over Seb in the beginning might have made it a different season

 

Best Moment:  Sadly, probably his debut race, P5 for Minardi, the Toyota spinning trying to overtake, and going up on the podium.  In my time watching I had never seen a driver outside the top 3 allowed on the podium.  Special mention to his debut win in 2009 Nurburgring, drive through penalty and all, he was world class that day

 

I'd chuck in Monaco 2006 as a worst moment. Not performance-wise, quite the opposite, but giving where he was in his career that felt like such a big moment and to have it stolen by a mechanical... He might not have beaten Kimi that day I guess. Not on Korea 2010 level.

[A.Fant]

 

Button

Worst moment: either 2001 when he didn't know how to be an F1 driver, or early 2012 when he was making dumb mistakes and completely lost the plot with his car.

Best moment: I'd say Turkey 2009. He just won 6 out of 7 races, everyone was making mistakes all around him while he seemed so calm and invincible.

 

Hamilton

Worst moment: Lie gate at Melbourne 2009. I get that he was young, but don't lie like that.

Best moment: He was already on a great run, but then in Singapore 2018 he grabbed that championship by the balls.

 

Vettel

Worst moment: This interview. I'm happy nobody I supported ever did something like this because I wouldn't know how I could continue supporting them.

Best moment: At Red Bull in 2011 and 2013. A well oiled machine, he just took it all and made F1 boring.

 

Ricciardo

Worst moment: Summer 2019. It just wasn't going anywhere, he found himself in a worse team and struggled to beat his teammate. Dumb mistakes in Baku, poor performances and a lot of frustration.

Best moment: Summer 2017, Baku till Singapore was a fantastic series of performances, still beat Max regularly. Another shoot out to his overtake on Vettel at Monza 2014, symbolic for his strong season.

 

Verstappen

Worst moment: Monaco 2018. He already had a run of bad results and then he bins it again while his teammate wins.

Best moment: His whole run in 2018 after Monaco was amazing. 2019 too. Hard to pick out 1 race. There's plenty before 2018 as well.

 

Alonso

Worst moment: The way he conducted himself during 2007 and later with Honda.

Best moment: It's hard to choose between races like Hungary 2006, Singapore 2010, Malaysia 2012, Valencia 2012, Hungary 2014, Baku 2018. He did some legendary stuff.

 

Rosberg

Worst moment: When he became a clickbait vlogger? Regarding racing, Monaco 2016? That was embarrassing. 

Best moment: How he was able to drag the 2016 championship towards him doing all the little things right, like the starts. Besides some luck, but that's to Hamilton's credit.

 

 

I'd like to add Singapore 2016 for Rosberg as sort of the crowning achievement of that season. Hamilton has only been outqualified there twice in his career (2011 and 2016) and he has only taken the chequered flag behind his teammate twice as well (again 2011 and 2016). In the worst season of his career he qualified 0.005 s behind Button. In 2016 Rosberg outqualified him by 0.704 s. Rosberg went on to win from pole and held off a hard charging Ricciardo to claim his third consecutive victory and a championship lead that he would never relinquish.

[TomNokoe]

Half-way through the 1999 French Grand Prix, after retiring with an electrical issue, Damon is interviewed by Louise and almost retires on the spot. I'll try and find it.

Clip

Edited by TomNokoe, 08 June 2020 - 20:04.

[MrAerodynamicist]

For Hamilton I'd say his low point was Australia 2009 and all the mess around that.

 

The interesting thing is it should have been one of his high points. If McLaren hadn't got it wrong and told him the wrong thing, he'd have been third on the road on merit in a car that started the season as an absolute dog.

[Coral]

Lewis Hamilton :-

 

High point - Silverstone 2008. Absolutely unbelievable performance by Lewis that day...it was awe-inspiring...an "Eclipse first... the rest nowhere" moment! It was that win, and Lewis's win in Monaco that year, that turned me from a mere fan of Lewis into a superfan.

 

Low point - Monaco 2011. There are so many low points to choose from in 2011, but Monaco was just a disaster from start to finish, and it was there that things really started to go downhill for Lewis. His mental state was in the toilet, and it showed.

[Atreiu]

Alonso: Imola 2005 and Singapore 2008.
Kimi: Suzuka 2005 and any of the many horrible weekends he had at his second Ferrari stint. His whole second Ferrari stint is apalling compared to the reputation he has earned and the potential I always attributed to him.
Hamilton: Canada 2010 and Canada 2011 (I bet that was the day he decided to leave).
Schumacher: Suzuka 2000 and Monaco 2006.

[Bleu]

I would put "GP2 engine" moment the worst for Alonso.

[Beri]

I would put "GP2 engine" moment the worst for Alonso.

I'd say Verstappen' Austrian victory in 2018 would be Alonso' lowlight.

[messy]

I’ll do some of my favourite drivers from ‘my’ era of F1 I think.

Mika Häkkinen
Best - 1998 Japanese Grand Prix, soaked up the pressure and capped a brilliant season with an emotional title in a beautiful car. What could be better? I’ll remember that one for a long time - and at the time I wanted Schumacher to win it!

Worst - 2001 Spanish Grand Prix, the victory he so desperately needed after an awful start to the season, half way through the final lap after a classic dominant Mika demonstration run, and then bang, car breaks down, Schumacher coasts past to win. The beginning of the end.

David Coulthard
Best - the 2000 French Grand Prix. Brazil 2001 was objectively better, but for DC the opportunity to finally put one over Schumacher in the manner he did, childish gestures and all, I don’t think he’ll ever top that. I’d be surprised if he didn’t see it as his personal zenith.

Worst - Getting his pants pulled down by Raikkonen in 2004 and spending such a sad final season at McLaren plodding round in midfield looking like he’d had enough. I was really surprised he didn’t retire actually, fair play he got his Indian summer at Red Bull.


Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Best - 1999 Italian Grand Prix - winning in the dry (ok, Mika binned it but still), moving to within touching distance of the championship lead after an incredible, redemptive season at Jordan that he probably couldn’t really have made any more of.

Worst - reportedly asking to take a hacksaw to his car at Silverstone in 2001 at the breaking point of his relationship with Jordan. Don't know why he did it, don’t know why it went so wrong, but it was such a sad end to a story that started so well. It was telling though that he knocked them back when they tried to re-hire him for 2003.

Giancarlo Fisichella
Best - 2001 Belgian Grand Prix. Absolute miracle-powered podium in a terrible, underpowered car, along with a clever strategy call to only change two tyres at his stop to keep track position. One of the best podiums I’ve seen, I reckon.

Worst - The whole of 2005 and 2006. Completely found wanting.

Jarno Trulli
Best - 2004 Monaco Grand Prix. The perfect pole lap, then controlled things nicely to win the following day. I don’t think his race was perfect - his pace drifted off twice at key moments - but his races were never perfect, he was a flawed little bugger to the end. But he deserved this one and deserves credit for beating Alonso fair and square a few times early in the 2004 season.

Worst - 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix. Textbook ‘how to lose a race that you really can’t lose’. The Toyota was perfect that weekend, he was quicker than Glock at that stage and had his support, the strategy was right, there wasn’t a great deal stopping him, except himself.

[P123]

JPM

 

Best- Monaco Pole lap 2002 (missed entirely by the cameras)

Worst- Falling off a motocross bike and onto a tennis court

[PlatenGlass]

Worst - 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix. Textbook ‘how to lose a race that you really can’t lose’. The Toyota was perfect that weekend, he was quicker than Glock at that stage and had his support, the strategy was right, there wasn’t a great deal stopping him, except himself.

From what I recall Glock got a better start so Trulli lost time behind him and the race was lost there.

[krapmeister]

Yep, Briatore wanted a reason and Trulli handed him one, unfair, but just an awful lapse in concentration on the final corner of a race (I think it was final corner from memory)

Okay, Webber:-

Worst Moment: On Track, Korea 2010, spinning out in the wet, sure he wasn't to know how the race was going to play out (Seb DNF) but if you are hoping to be world champion, you have to show it on days like that, he didn't. Off track, breaking his leg before the 2009 season. I truly have always believed be could have won the 2009 Championship without his massive bike accident prior to the season, it caused him issues with fitness and getting comfortable in the car and testing and endurance, you name it, and it allowed Vettel to steal a march on him. Go back and look at how close he was to Button in the championship after Hungary.... I think, and could be telling porkies here, it was something like 14 points. His year fizzled out afterwards, but with more points banked earlier and some performance over Seb in the beginning might have made it a different season

Best Moment: Sadly, probably his debut race, P5 for Minardi, the Toyota spinning trying to overtake, and going up on the podium. In my time watching I had never seen a driver outside the top 3 allowed on the podium. Special mention to his debut win in 2009 Nurburgring, drive through penalty and all, he was world class that day

I would throw in Monaco 2010 as a candidate for Webber's highpoint. Alqays good around the principality - renowned as a true driver's track - he was absolutely dominant that day 👍

[as65p]

The interesting thing is it should have been one of his high points. If McLaren hadn't got it wrong and told him the wrong thing, he'd have been third on the road on merit in a car that started the season as an absolute dog.

 

What's regularily overlooked, the car was a pretty special "dog". Wherever aerodynamics were the deciding factor (like on most contemporary tracks) it was horrible. At the same time, the mechanical side was top notch. So even before the appearance of the B-version at the Nürburgring (when it became an overall solid car), it was already competitive in it's inital state at the non-aero tracks, like Monaco and Melbourne.

[Flasheart]

I can’t disagree with much of what you said Gambelli. Purely based on personal reaction, his debut win at the Nurburgring has it for my high point. After so many years of absolutely no luck, I’ll admit to having a tear in my eye when he crossed the line. His broken leg was the low point for me (it happened in my home state). I don’t think we will ever know how much that cost him. Only he has any idea, and he would never say publicly, or use it as an excuse. Korea is only remembered for its WDC implications (which I know is the point of the thread), but I still don’t trust that things would not have been attempted to be engineered against him. As he said just recently, “Marko loves his records”. That said, if he hadn’t binned it there, it would have been very difficult not to win the title. I probably haven’t worded that right, but I’m trying not to sound too much like a raving conspiracy theorist, hahaha.