The drivers order of merit...

[rabf1]

The top 5 is really all that matters. Everyone else I consider to be "the pack." As they are both WDC's and still young, Hamilton and Alonso have to be considered in the top group. And since they raced on the same team and Hamilton trounced Alonso, I rate Hamilton above Alonso. Kimi seems to have lost his edge and appers on the way down but was still WDC only 2 years ago. Based on his performance this year, Button has to be put in the top group. Finally, the best driver is clearly Vettel. So my ranking is:

1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Alonso
4. Button
5. Kimi

[Brown, Jon Brow]

The Best
1)Alonso
2)Hamilton
3)Vettel
4)Kimi
---------------
very quick on their day
5)Button
6)Kubica
7)Webber
8)Heidfeld
9)Massa
10)Rosberg
---------------
good pace but inconsistent
11)Barrichello
12)Trulli
13)Kovalainen
14)Glock
15)Sutil
16)Fisichella
--------------

making up the numbers
17)Buemi
18)Bourdais
19)Piquet
20)Nakajima

[jens]

Hmm, I have noticed we have such ranking threads in every half a year. As for the lists of others - it would be useful if you tried to explain your lists too not to make them look too random. But as I see, car has a lot of importance in rating drivers as usual - wasn't Button among one of the worst drivers last year in some lists? And I guess he didn't exist in anyone's Top3.

I'll use my usual grouping method and give some strict marks this time:

A-category
Hamilton, Alonso, Vettel.
Best drivers, all of them have shown supreme performances, consistent high-class drives, excellent drives both in top and sub-par cars. Capable of adapting well to all kinds of situations. Hamilton has shown this year that he can drive "average" cars really well too as there were doubts after first two years. Alonso is a well-known 'complete' driver. Vettel may be as the most unproven one, but I have had very high hopes and belief in him since 2006-2007 and he has been delivering nicely so far. Finally he has got a proper measurestick in Webber and Seb continues to impress by at least matching the well-known qualifying-specialist even on Saturdays. All of the three have been making mistakes so far in 2009 though, but even then in those races they seemed rather quick.

B
Kubica - in 2008 he had a fantastic year, but needs to prove himself more. So far in 2009 he has had a horrible year, suffering all kinds of setbacks in all races so far. I still have great belief in him and hope he can prove himself as a top-class driver. The potential is there. But 2009 will be quite telling, how can he cope with a "bad car". So far, only Australia was impressive.
Button - I have been impressed with the way he has been beating Barrichello this year. And he was rather good in 2004-2006 too. Back then I rated him as an "A" driver and he would deserve it for this year so far too, great car or not. But... he really doesn't seem that kind of ultimate performer like the above-mentioned Top3. Button has performed well in good cars and won races he should have won, but he really hasn't achieved great results "against odds" or in non-favourable conditions. And in crap cars he more likely struggles rather than impresses. Hence it's 'B' at the moment, but I hope we can witness Jenson in difficult situations this year too to give a better evaluation. But Button is one of the most consistent drivers and that's surely useful in a title fight.
Both Ferrari drivers Massa & Räikkönen blow hot and cold. They can be blindingly quick on their day, but quite never can be sure about their consistency. And I wonder, how much truth is in the suggestions like Kimi is lazy? Anyway, 2009 in Ferrari will be quite telling, how can they cope with difficult times and improve with the team.
Webber - a really quick driver and fast in all conditions. But that "unluck" tag hasn't done any good to his reputation and has really hindered to unveil his potential.
Trulli - can be blindingly quick and especially now on slick tyres he is really flying. But at times he can have appalling races, like the one recently in China, which is why he really isn't at the top class. Too sensitive to condition changes.
Glock - After last year had high hopes on him and although I think his better performances of the year are still to come, he has been a slight disappointment so far. Quick in the wet, but usually slower than Jarno in dry. Great fighter and team-worker, but pace-wise may struggle at times. Plus his qualifying-performances have been disappointing at times, although admittedly it is difficult to shine against a driver like Jarno over one lap.
Heidfeld - as much as it has been possible to evaluate his performances this year in that underperforming machinery, he has seemed closer to Kubica than in 2008. Generally Nick is a good 'all-rounder' - consistent, rarely makes mistakes, good tactician, hard-working. The main minus is that he seems to lack pace a tad bit. I suppose this is why he 'never' makes mistakes, he doesn't quite go to the ultimate limits. In a way quite similar to Button, but since Nick really hasn't got such opportunity in a top car as Jenson, his rating suffers...
Rosberg - I think he has actually got more criticism for Williams' lack of results than he deserves. He sure has his weaknesses, but I still believe this kid is quick. I hope he joins another team after 2009 for better evaluation.

C
Barrichello - in the past belonged to "B-category", but alas his performances so far this season have been rather disappointing. Maybe I'm too harsh on him, because he is still 2nd in WDC despite lack of pace, having been consistent. But anyway, needs to raise his game to be more convincing and secure his future in F1.
Sutil - great in thr wet, but otherwise alas inconsistent.
Fisichella - recently have discussed about him for twice. Unfortunately the better days seem to be over...
Buemi - I really don't think he is going to be a future top contender, but based on what we have seen so far, he deserves another season and if that will happen alongside a proven driver, the better would it be.
Bourdais - in a suitable car can be relatively quick, but besides that impressive debut-race in Australia '08 has really never set the world alight. Doesn't seem to be really adaptable, at the end of last year I thought he could be a decent #2 in an F1-team.
Kovalainen - I was generous to put him into C-category, TBH. I believe he has potential for more and for his sake I hope he leaves McLaren at the end of this season to start regaining his reputation. Being No.2 driver simply doesn't suit him as he needs team support to unveil his potential. Like in the second half of 2007, when he seemed quite a competent driver.

D
Nakajima - last year showed some promise against team-mate, but like in the battle between JB and RB, it had probably more to do with the unmotivation of Rosberg...
Piquet - nah...

[F1boat]

1 Fernando Alonso
2 Kimi Raikkonen
3 Lewis Hamilton
4 Jenson Button
5 Felipe Massa
6 Sebastian Vettel
7 Robert Kubica
8 Rubens Barrichello
9 Jarno Trulli
10 Nico Rosberg
11 Nick Heidfeld
12 Heikki Kovalainen
13 Mark Webber
14 Timo Glock
15 Sebastien Buemi
16 Sebastien Bourdais
17 Giancarlo Fisichella
18 Nelson Piquet-jr
19 Adrian Sutil
20 Kazuki Nakajima

I think that Alonso is clearly the best and "most complete driver". Raikkonen is second, when he is fast, he is bloody good. Lewis third - brilliant, but IMO too aggressive. Jenson really impressed me at the start of this season - I never though that he is bad, but I am surprised that he can be as consistent and impressive. Felipe fifth - also a very good driver. Seb Vettel so far 6th, brilliant and can improve a lot, but still prone to bizarre moves, like in Oz. RK also can improve IMO, while the rest are either just solid or unimpressive.

[Sleeper]

The top 5 that have shown something special on several occaisons
Alonso
Button
Vettel
Kubica
Hamilton

The consistently fast drivers but all lack something to take them into the top tier of driver talant, in Webbers case its good luck.
Webber
Heidfeld
Kovalainen
Trulli
Glock
Rosberg
Massa

Raikkonen- the fastest man out there over a single lap but but not interested in working closely with the team or on technical matters, important attributes for a driver to be great these days.

Drivers that are all past their best or good but nothing special.
Barrichello
Fisichella
Sutil
Nakajima
Buemi
Bourdais

And then theres Piquet

[CNR]

Vettel i hope he can take the record for the youngest f1 champion

news paper clips
second coming of button when was he this good before

[leopard]

I think the best driver would be the best compromise between driving in proper speed with maturity, consistency, ability to drive safely safe for himself and not endanger others, in case accident is unavoidable he will try as far as possible not to crash on others, ability to implement the right strategy, ability to outperform the car:

1. Alonso
2. Button
3. Hamilton
4. Vettel
5. Kimi
6. Kubica
7. Massa
8. Barrichello
9. Trulli
10. Webber
11. Heidfeld
12. Kovalainen
13. Glock
14. Rosberg
15. Buemi
16. Piquet Jr
17. Fisichella
18. Bourdais
19. Sutil
20. Nakajima

Vettel is enrouting to the top position, provided he can keep the emotion constant during the race, his speed is promising to reserve a seat to make use of the better car for the titles.

[Valve Bounce]

Bunsen and Vettel - can't separate them, because I simply don't know which car is the better.

[Cozzie]

Alonso
Raikkonen
Hamilton
Massa
Vettel
Kubica
Button
Trulli
Rosberg
Heidfeld
Glock
Barrichello
Webber
Kova-whythehellisheinatopteam-lainen
Sutil
Buemi
Fisichella
Bourdais
Piquet Jr
Nakajima

[pino]

...Raikkonen- the fastest man out there over a single lap...

Hey wait a min, Trulli is the fastest man over a single lap