The F1 Number One

By Adam Appleton

On 1st May, it will be 18 years since the passing of world-famous driver Ayrton Senna after a fatal crash at Imola.

But many still look back on his era and ask: ‘Was he the greatest driver ever?’

Many answers spring to mind; Ascari, Villeneuve, Clark, Mansell, Piquet, Stewart, Fangio, Brabham and Lauda, and maybe Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton may, someday, join that illustrious pack.

However, three names always seem to emerge as the most legitimate contenders; Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Senna himself.

Between 1985 and 2004, they claimed 14 driver’s titles, Schumacher seven, Prost four and Senna three.

For me, Senna and Schumacher emerge over Prost.

Prost won his titles in the best cars, and was nearly always the preferred driver of those teams.

His methodical approach did not draw many supporters either, he did not take gambles and was a poor wet-weather driver.

He also had FISA President Jean-Marie Balestre, a Frenchman, providing several decisions in his favour and against Senna.

But Prost’s lack of grounding in less competitive cars stops him gaining this status, because Senna and Schumacher both made their way up from unfashionable manufacturers.

They also both excelled early in their careers.

Senna scored points in his second and third races in the uncompetitive Toleman car, and then finished second in a rain-filled Monaco Grand Prix, 1984.

Schumacher issued early warnings of his precocious talent, qualifying 7th on debut at Spa, also the setting for his maiden victory in 1992.

The German would drive for Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes GP, and Senna for Lotus, McLaren and finally Williams.

Both were controversial figures, due to their aggressive styles and exaggerated will to win.

Most of Senna’s incidents involved Prost, the synonymous duo had a rivalry more public than Formula One had ever seen.

They first clashed at the 1989 title-decider at Suzuka. They collided as Senna tried to overtake Prost, Senna managed a push-start and won the race.

However, he was left fuming after being disqualified by Balestre for cutting the chicane to rejoin the race, leaving Prost to take the title.

Further controversy followed at Suzuka the following year.

Senna took pole position ahead of Prost, but believed he was on the “dirty” side of the grid.

Prost looked to have the lead into the first corner, only for Senna to plough into him to win the title.

The incident drew reaction from both drivers, Prost saying: “Ayrton has a problem in that he does not think he can die.”

Senna however, was unrepentant: “If you no longer go for a gap, you are no longer a racing driver… I am not designed to finish 3rd or 4th or 5th.”

Schumacher also had title-related controversies early in his career.

In Adelaide, 1994, Schumacher led Damon Hill by a point.

On lap 36, Schumacher, leading, ran wide critically damaging his car on the wall.

Hill, sensing an opportunity tried to overtake but Schumacher shut the door on him, sending both out of the race, conveniently handing Schumacher the title.

Many believe that Schumacher caused the crash to ensure him and Benetton the championship.

In a near-identical incident at Jerez in 1997, Schumacher – now at Ferrari – turned in on Jacques Villeneuve but could only tap his side-pod, meaning Villeneuve took the title. It also did not stop Schumacher getting an awful press reaction.

When it finally boils down to answering this question, it is not the controversies that separate them, but instead the quality of the era they raced in.

Schumacher’s biggest rivals were Damon Hill, Mika Hakkinen and Fernando Alonso.

These names are incomparable to the men Senna shined against; Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, all great in their own respect.

This divides the two because whilst Schumacher holds the biggest records; most pole positions (68), most victories (91) and most World Championship (7), a purist like me will always say that Senna was the greatest in the greastest era.

This is perhaps best shown in terms of pole positions, Schumacher’s F1 career has been six seasons and counting longer than Senna’s, but he has only managed three more pole positions.

He was likely the most naturally talented pilot in history and it is difficult pinpoint particular races in Senna’s career because he was incredible in so many.

So whilst the numbers point to the German, the Brazilian had an almost unquantifiable asset to his driving. It may not have been metronomic but, to quote Murray Walker, it was “absolutely sensational!”


ENDS