Totally off-topic, but again an interesting point for debate.
Personally, I don't consider 1974 to be a classic season at all. Yes, three drivers went into the final race with a chance of the title and the champion led the sixth-most laps, but where was the narrative of the season? And where were the classic races? I barely remember any races at all from that season (Brands Hatch with Lauda's puncture was quite interesting, and Monza where Peterson held off Fittipaldi, but neither were true classics). There often seemed to be great shifts with one day the Ferrari being dominant, the next race it is the Brabham, then the Tyrrell. Not close contests between different teams each time. And they kind of just converged to have the same number of points at the end. There was also the question mark about whether Jackie Stewart would be dominating had he still been racing.
1975 was a more interesting season, in my opinion, even though Lauda wrapped up the title before the final race. Because there were more interesting storylines during the season and good races. For example, Lauda bringing Ferrari for the top after a long while and asserting himself as the top driver post-Stewart. James Hunt excelling for Hesketh with that great win in Zandvoort, a more exciting race than any from 1974. There were the random great drives from Jean-Pierre Jarier or Tom Pryce for Shadow, Vittorio Brambilla in the March. Carlos Pace was a particularly exciting talent in the Brabham. There was another classic race in Silverstone in the wet where so many cars went off. Just a far more memorable season than 1974.
But 1976 was even better again, even though it was now mostly a two-way battle for the championship. Because there was a fascinating narrative throughout the season with Niki Lauda of Ferrari and James Hunt of McLaren battling for honours so there was a proper title battle unlike the previous year. And there are so many such memorable moments throughout the year, such as Lauda's accident on the Nordschleife and incredible return in Monza, the fascinating controversy in Jarama and even more in Brands Hatch, while the title decider in Fuji was a greater race than anything mentioned beforehand. There wasn't a huge amount of interesting action outside the top two although Jody Scheckter and John Watson both had a thrilling duel for victory with Hunt (I don't remember which races), and Ronnie Peterson had some standout moments. But really, that was a season all about Niki Lauda and James Hunt, with a storyline so fascinating that a brilliant film could be made of it. That was a true classic season, one of the greatest in history.
And this may now be a controversial statement, but for me, 2021 was the iconic, classic, perfect season, and the greatest in Formula 1 history. It may have been painful to watch at times, and left an initially sour taste at the end, but once everything had died down and you have the benefit to look back in hindsight, there really has never been a better Formula 1 season. First and foremost, the championship battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen was truly legendary. There has never quite been anything like it. For all the great Hawthorn-Moss or Hunt-Lauda battles, there is very rarely one fought between two absolute greats of the sport like 2021. Only 1951 (Fangio vs Ascari) and 1988-1990 (Senna vs Prost) are comparable in that regard. But there was something just magical about having two of the greatest drivers in history in practically equal cars, pretty much annihilating the opposition, including their very capable teammates, every time. There were also just so many classic races that season of all different types, which puts it apart from any of the aforementioned seasons. There were fascinating strategy races such as Bahrain, Spain, France, USA. There were races of total carnage like Imola, Baku, Hungary, Russia. And races of controversy like Silverstone, Monza, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi. And that historic Hamilton drive in Brazil and Verstappen's qualifying lap in Jeddah. Even Belgium was something that is interesting to have happened when looking back, even if the actual day was infuriating. There were almost no dull races that season, probably a higher percentage of brilliant races than has ever before been seen.
And there was also so much interesting controversy and talking points, and a great narrative to the season that was often painful at the time but with hindsight is something that was wonderful to witness. The narrative of one of the greatest of all time going for a record-breaking eighth championship up against the greatest of the next generation, at a time when they were both at practically the same level, with practically equal cars (and cars that were similarly matched at most races, rather than just taking it in turns to be clearly the best). Then the controversial incidents between them and the story of Verstappen's aggressive driving style and Hamilton backing off at times and fighting back at others brought into play a whole level of psychology of racing. Michael Masi totally losing control as the season went on also made things interesting, and while this controversy was painful to watch at the time, it was brilliant that it created so many talking points and kept F1 on your mind so much even between races. You cannot talk about 2021 without thinking of the season finale in Abu Dhabi, but while that was the most farcical race in F1 history and made an absolute mockery of the sport, it again is now a fascinating part of Formula 1 history that people will read about for decades to come, and will be debated again in 30 years time just as Suzuka 1989 is still debated today. It was painful when it happened because of the fear it had set a precedent, and because it was so maddening when people tried to claim that Masi had made the right call, but again, it makes things interesting. It was a fitting end to the season with the controversy, even though it was also the worst piece of officiating in the history of any sport (going against the rules on the final lap of the season, and changing the outcome of the championship, because of a need to satisfy the show and make things interesting). It was awful, but at the same time I am now glad it happened, just like Suzuka 1989 (as long as it never happens again). The toxicity of the fans and of Mercedes and Red Bull wasn't nice, but the rest of the season made up for it, I think.
There were also so many interesting things happening behind the title contenders, which again sets it apart from other classic seasons. Lando Norris establishing himself as a potential future champion, and Daniel Ricciardo's total collapse at the same time at McLaren, but Ricciardo winning in Monza for McLaren's first win in nine years, while Norris couldn't quite finish off that brilliant drive in Sochi, and he had other great moments like the podiums in Imola and Monaco that were such remarkable drives. At Ferrari, Sainz stepping into Leclerc's team and giving him a genuine challenge, while Leclerc still had the more special moments like the Monaco and Baku poles and the Silverstone near-win. There were three world champions in the midfield to make things interesting, with Alonso standing out with his defence against Hamilton in Hungary after all their battles in the past, and Esteban Ocon therefore winning the best race of the season. Vettel also had some great races like Baku. Pierre Gasly's remarkable season for Alpha Tauri is another thing to mention, and George Russell dragging the Williams to places it shouldn't be with some visibly extraordinary qualifying laps and getting the Mercedes drive as a reward. Nikita Mazepin's flop was another storyline.
The whole season was just absolutely fantastic in so many ways and for me, pips the likes of 1958, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1989, 1997 and 2008 to be the greatest season of all time. None of these had every aspect of a brilliant season like 2021 did (1958 comes closest). I am so glad I was able to watch it all live.
