Your all time F1 heroes?

[Coulthard Fan]

Who are your all time F1 heroes? And why?

I have 3...
Jackie Stewart, the nicest guy you can ever meet had the pleasure of meeting him at Goodwood a few years ago signed me an autograph as well! I was over the moon. I have watched so many documentaries about this bloke and what he did for the sport was amazing!

Lewis Hamilton, he will always have time for his fans he will always put his fans first. I have so much respect for this bloke, every year at Goodwood he will sign thousands of autographs/pose for photos even when he's meant to be somewhere else. You often here his people trying to hurying him up but until everybody gets the picture he won't go!
The most naturally gifted racer of my generation shame he is blighted by bad luck. I will never forget his drive at Nurburgring where he was the only driver smart enough to keep the engine running and managed to continue and gain vital points!

David Coulthard, another top bloke growing up in the lates 90/early 2000s he was the best British driver and everybody from my country looked up to him! He is such a don he was one of the only blokes to stick it to that cheat Schumacher. I will never forget his drives at Monaco absolute master!

[steveaki13]

Well I admire any F1 driver, and look back with appreciatation of the drivers of the past but only having watched F1 since 1991 I can largely only go with the drivers I admired while watching.

Being so young while watching F1 early I dont really have memory of supporting a driver until DC. In 1994 & 1995 with Williams he done a decent job, and I agonised over his wins and sadly mediocre championship performances, until 2001 I really enjoyed that year with DC putting in such a solid effort and then the crazy and fun Red Bull days.

Jenson Button - Similar siuation I have followed Jenson closely all his career. 2004 was a fun year after so many seasons as a midfield driver he finally performed on a different level in 2004. So happy he got his title.

Fernando Alonso - Even driving a Minardi he stood out. We didnt see much of him that year, but I remember him chasing Benettons in a Minardi in Spain. It was special.
His 2003 in Renault should he was going to win a title and despite struggling against Trulli at times in 2004, he is Class. 2 titles and a season like last year shows he's still got it.

Kimi - He is just fun. He is simple to like. He gets in the car tells it like it is and drives flat out.
Spa in erm.... 2004 or 2005 Plunging into that plume of smoke was something exciting like years gone by.

Lewis Hamilton - Similar too Kimi he is just 100% at most times. To finish 2nd by a point in 2007 was awesome and then a title to better it. 2009 once the car was better he was at the front and won the 2009 Part 2 title. So with 3 good cars he could have had 3 titles.
2010 & 2012 he was also brilliant and in the title hunt only in 2011 in his career has he not looked on the top of his game.

[Mintexmemory]

I stopped having heroes when the sport became distanced from the fans and the corporate thing took hold

Jim Clark - would have beaten Schumacher in the third or fourth best car after Ferrari because he could extract something from a car that no one even knew was there.

Jochen Rindt - For his fabulous fighting spirit and that last lap at Monaco 70

Ronnie Peterson - Woodcote flat, nuff said

[Natalie.S]

1. Michael Schumacher, the stats say it all really. Greatest ever!
1. Juan Manuel Fangio, nicest, most talented and most modest driver ever

then there's a whole lot of nothing and then come Clark, Prost, Senna, Vettel imo

[henners88]

Who are your all time F1 heroes? And why?

Mine would have to be Clark, Senna, Mansell, and Hamilton. They are the drivers who I think of first when the sport is mentioned. My father met Clark on numerous occasions during the 60's when fans could stroll through the paddock and mix with the stars. The photographs he has are unbelievable and total one off's and I plan to make an album one day. Senna was the top driver in the sport when I started watching in the late 80's and I must admit I preferred him to Mansell even if I respected Mansell for his determination and hard work behind the wheel. A great era to get into things. I've followed Hakkinen, Raikkonen and Alonso over the years, but Hamilton is the one driver who stands out for me. A pleasant guy to meet and always has time to do something for the fans regardless of whether he is winning. His debut season was absolutely epic and still one of my favourite seasons so far. No doubt more hero's will come along the way and I suppose I am lucky I can follow drivers rather than restricting myself through following just one team as many other do.

[keysersoze]

1. Riccardo Patrese: my all-time F1 favorite. A driver of only above-average talent who became the consummate team player. The key word here is redemption, and I love redemption stories.

2. Alex Zanardi: a bust in F1, but passionate racer with personality in spades

3. Stefan Bellof: always drove with bravado--very much in the mold of Gilles Villeneuve.

4. Eddie Cheever: made it in F1 when it was quite difficult for an American. Very quotable.

[Tazio]

Jackie Stewart; he impressed me when I was a young teen and I never got over it. At times he has acted like a tool in his later life but his contributions as a younger man were substantial.

[AndyL]

John Surtees. His record will in all probability stand for ever, and if anyone does ever match his achievement then surely they will instantly become the greatest motorsport legend of all time.

[Knock-on]

Murray Walker, Sid Watkins and Sir JYS for me.

[steveaki13]

John Surtees. His record will in all probability stand for ever, and if anyone does ever match his achievement then surely they will instantly become the greatest motorsport legend of all time.

This.

That was an amazing achievement. As you say it will more than likely never be matched.