F1 Enigmas

[futuretiger9]

There have been some F1 drivers down the years whose level of performance from race to race, and psychological make-up, was unfathomable.

A prime example was Jean-Pierre Jarier, who could produce striking bursts of speed, but just as easily be totally anonymous. The accusation is also levelled at Carlos Reutemann, although the statistics tend to belie this.

Can anyone think of any other drivers who had the same characteristics?

There have been some F1 drivers down the years whose level of performance from race to race, and psychological make-up, was unfathomable.

A prime example was Jean-Pierre Jarier, who could produce striking bursts of speed, but just as easily be totally anonymous. The accusation is also levelled at Carlos Reutemann, although the statistics tend to belie this.

Can anyone think of any other drivers who had the same characteristics?

Currently, Fisichella & Ralf.

Recently, Frentzen & Alesi.

[ArrowsFA1]

Stefano Modena perhaps.

Stefano Modena perhaps.

More 'definately' than 'perhaps'?

And, talking of Italians..........may I present the ultimate enigma.......

Mr Zanardi.

[Storm]

Jarno Trulli perhaps?

He is unbelievably fast and smooth...but never had really good cars but even in somewhat decent cars (Renault and the poor Jordans) he put some amazing qualifying laps. His racing is up and down though.

Alesi and Ralf do tend to fit into this as well.

[Garry Walker]

Fisichella

Absolutely. Mentally the weakest driver in F1 IMO.

[Kevinus66]

How about Andrea de Cesaris.

As fast as the best of them on his day, but prone to impetuous mistakes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubb8J5e85UE

Classic moment between Piquet/de Cesaris at Monaco in 1989. de Cesaris goes down the inside of Piquet at the hairpin and they crash blocking the road. The two drivers then sit in the car arguing as to who's fault it was (probably) while cars form an orderly traffic jam behind them.

[keysersoze]

Kovalainen

Good answers above, especially Ralf. Perhaps add Ivan Capelli. I even thought Thierry Boutsen was up and down.

I though Glock was pretty erratic earlier this year, but that dude has proven he's tough as nails.

[fizzicist]

Jan Magnussen? Talent to spare yet just didn't seem to have the mental application to get the best from himself...

[jens]

Yeah, it's hard to be even more inconsistent than Andrea de Cesaris. :

But I'd add Jos Verstappen and Adrian Sutil.

Alesi wasn't that inconsistent, more likely he was too hot-headed at times, not that he often "mysteriously" seriously lacked of pace. If you mention Alesi, then surely drivers a'la Massa should be included too.