Comments on: End-of-season driver rankings: Top 5

By: Can

Can — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:04:52 +0000

In my opinion, Hamilton did a much better job than Massa’s, but they drove the best cars by far in the grid. Differences should’ve been much more ostensible. Alonso’s strength at the second half of the year reminded me of the good times at Renault (and also the relatively tough years before the two world campionships), when he almost never made mistakes, and got the car’s potential to the limit.
Happy holidays to everyone!

By: doctorvee

doctorvee — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:20:13 +0000

Samuel, you’re absolutely right about my rankings last year. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

By: Samuel

Samuel — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:19:39 +0000

IIRC you placed Fernando 2nd not 1st last year, didn’t you?

Mostly agree with your standings, and firmly believe that Fernando is the most complete driver out there(not the fastest since being “the fastest” is something very dependent of track conditions, circuit and car characteristics, etc… ), but I hurt to say that may be you are being too generous with him.

He has been the best in the second half of the season, but his first half wasn’t specially bright as the 8th position in the midseason standings shows.

I would declare the first position void, and tied at the second place to Hamilton, Kubica and Alonso.

By: Pink Peril

Pink Peril — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:26:47 +0000

Your top three are spot on. And although he has improved immeasurably, I just can’t think of Flippy as one of the top drivers. I just can’t ! To me, he is still an average driver in a good car. Give practically anyone else in the field that car & they’d make him look like amateur hour. Having said that, the pass in Montreal was amazing & got my vote for ‘overtake of the year’ over at Keith’s site, so I am not anti-Massa per se.

I’d also go out on a limb here & say Alonso is better than Schumacher. After all, if Schumacher was the best (which I personally don’t agree with, but a lot do), then Alonso beat him while he was still at the top of his game. Twice.

In any case, Nando is the best driver out there today.

By: Christine

Christine — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:32:10 +0000

Definitely the right drivers in the top five, but it is difficult to put them in an order, isn’t it? I’m so happy we had such a competitive season.

By: Onebrow

Onebrow — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:00:07 +0000

I have to say we agree on a lot here doctorvee.

I’d swap Massa & Hamilton around though.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:39:00 +0000

It appears that we disagree on both Massa and Lewis ah but isn’t that the fun of sport?

The McL and Ferrari cars were the dominate vehicles yet a total of 36 points were thrown away between the two teams. While Alonso, Kubica and Vettal were making the best of what they had, Massa was doing 4, no 5 spins in GB. Then we have WC Lewis hitting parked cars and letting the TRossa pass him with the title on the line. Yes both Massa and Lewis had good drives but please consider/remember this, if the rain holds off for even a few seconds more, Massa is your WC. At least when it counted Massa got aggressive, grabbed pole and won the race. LH on the other hand was fortunate/lucky to pass a “dead on the wrong tires” Toyota to help him win the title.

IMHO,
1. Alonso
2. Kubica
3. Vettal
4. Massa (only because he finished with more wins)
5. Lewis