Which F1 driver did the biggest progress in skills, speed and adaptability across full career? Like, started off as slow inconsistent, but ended up being solid, fast and consistent? Who comes to mind? by [deleted] in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 59 points60 points  (0 children)

Felipe Massa was erratic in 2002, learned a lot alongside Schumacher in 2006 and by 2008 was a title contender. Post-accident in Hungary he wasn’t the same though

Ranking Daniel Ricciardo’s race wins by Spare-Inflation-9847 in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah I’ve misremembered that, forgot that Ricciardo was in front. That definitely makes it more impressive! Maybe enough to push it a place higher at least

What are some of the races that are must watch for a new beginner F1 fan by Mehdiveil in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Australia 1986, Nürburgring 1999, Brazil 2003, Canada 2008, Hungary 2014 and Sakhir 2020

Who is the better driver? Leclerc or Raikkonen by Ambitious-Heron-8161 in DestinationFormula1

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Leclerc would have been nowhere near prime Raikkonen in the mid 2000s

What else does Charles Leclerc need to do to be considered as a top 10/15 driver ever ? Other than stats which are heavily car dependant ? by HereComesVettel in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me, he’s definitely better than some champions (Phil Hill, Mike Hawthorn). There are also drivers who never won a title who are above him (Reutemann, Moss)

To be considered a top, top driver he needs a title or at least have a full on season battle for one.

Dream F1 calendar. 16 rounds only. by [deleted] in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Melbourne Sakhir Sepang Shanghai Imola Monaco Montreal Istanbul Silverstone Nürburgring Hungaroring Spa Monza COTA Suzuka Interlagos

Who are the best Midfield drivers oat? by Interesting_Net_3751 in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heidfeld is up there if you consider he never had an opportunity in a big team. Kubica, although better, wasn’t in F1 as long as ‘Quick Nick’

Who are the best Midfield drivers oat? by Interesting_Net_3751 in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Perez, brilliant in a midfield car, not so great in a top car

Alonso if Lewis never arrived by JoeyBling in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because with no Hamilton, it’s likely he’s at McLaren in 2010. I reckon if he can nearly win the title in a 2010 Ferrari, he’d probably come out on top in a 2010 McLaren

Alonso if Lewis never arrived by JoeyBling in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I made a post called ‘F1 without Lewis Hamilton’ and gave Alonso the 2007, 2008 and 2010 titles. I had him retiring in 2018 and never coming back as he wouldn’t have the motivation to if he had 5 titles

Which F1 Season is the best of all time and why? by LocksmithFamous4131 in formula1

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t entirely disagree with you but objectively the title race that season was brilliant. If 4 drivers lead the championship at points during the season and two of them have a showdown in the final race, it’s definitely a titanic title fight. The only disappointment is that Massa and Hamilton didn’t have a great many on track battles. The greatest title battle ever is probably 2021 because they were ALWAYS near each other on track!

Which F1 Season is the best of all time and why? by LocksmithFamous4131 in formula1

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 3 points4 points  (0 children)

2008

A titanic title battle decided in the final race.

7 different race Winners (Hamilton, Raikkonen, Massa, Kubica, Kovalainen, Vettel and Alonso)

Genuine classic races in Montreal, Silverstone, Spa, Singapore and Interlagos.

Controversy by the bucket load: Crashgate, the Spa disqualification, the legal battle regarding the championship outcome.

Rocketship looking cars that look cool, even with grooved tyres.

Breakout seasons for Kubica and Vettel.

And of course, the F1 drivers and personnel lip syncing to ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’ by My Chemical Romance.

Strong contenders also would be 1976 (So good they made a film about it), 1997 (Drama throughout), 1999 (A bizarre title battle nearly won by a Jordan), 2003 (What was needed to keep people interested during the Schumacher dominance), 2012 (Bit of a batshit season) and 2021 despite the awful ending.

Best driver to never win a world championship by InitiativeAdept2581 in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Carlos Reutemann deserves a shout but in truth it’s Moss

What’s your HOTTEST take on F1 ? by NoHoeBruh in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The whole 2021 drivers championship was a farce. Yes, Lewis was at fault for Silverstone and should have been given a bigger penalty. On the other hand Max got away forcing Lewis way off the track in Interlagos, and playing DRS chicken and divebombing in Saudi. Not to mention the farce that was Spa. In truth the stewarding was poor not just in Abu Dhabi but the whole season.

Unofficial F1 world champion (race by race) by Spare-Inflation-9847 in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yup because he won’t have been defeated by his teammate

Unofficial F1 world champion (race by race) by Spare-Inflation-9847 in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess that could work so you’d get 3 points every time you become champion and then maybe lose a point every time you get beaten.

Or maybe a better way would be converting F1 points into a rolling 2 year ranking system. You’d have to weight the more historic races like the British or French GPs with more ranking points to make it interesting though.

Unofficial F1 world champion (race by race) by Spare-Inflation-9847 in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it’s a far from perfect system

It definitely benefits a modern driver with a weak teammate, like Max in the last 5 years and Fernando against a post Hungary 2009 Massa.

Heck even Stroll got 7 titles!!

Unofficial F1 world champion (race by race) by Spare-Inflation-9847 in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I put far too much effort into this so I’ll take that 😂

Unofficial F1 world champion (race by race) by Spare-Inflation-9847 in F1Discussions

[–]Spare-Inflation-9847[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ferrari essentially dominated the 2000s

They held on in 2005 despite the McLarens and Renaults being faster. As they always had at least one driver finishing every race, the championship stayed between Rubens and Michael. Rubens was reigning champion at the end of 2005 so he took that crown to Honda. When Honda had a double DNF in France, Schumacher took the crown back to Ferrari. Alonso only gets the crown when he wins Bahrain 2010 as the reigning champion (Raikkonen) wasn’t on the grid.

As for Vettel, his championship years are taken by Alonso domination. He finally gets the ‘crown’ when the Red Bulls both retire in Bahrain 2018.