Undoubtedly, he was a very mild-mannered and gentlemanly person. But in his chosen role as a racing driver I never understood how he could absolutely annihilate a top class Formula Three field at Mallory Park one weekend and appear completely pedestrian the following weekend at Oulton Park, or Snetterton, or wherever! And let's not forget that his opposition at the time - Brise, Jones, Lafitte, Henton, etc. - was hardly weak, so his good performances were clearly quite something.
His expertise in all manner of machinery in later years of course tells us that he was very talented indeed - of that there can be little doubt. But, in his heyday, how good was he?
Did he deserve his F1 "chance?" Or do you believe without Dempster Developments it simply wouldn't have happened? Would he have flown in a Lotus or a March (as opposed to the BRM?).
What do you reckon ?
Edited by MCS, 21 January 2011 - 14:40.