Ayerton Senna

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: ffracer
He was one of the best race car drivers ever in any series.

To me, he was the complete driver - smooth, but aggressive. Tactical, but with the fire in the belly.

Never seen anyone like him in any form of racing.

What about young Sebbastian Vettel? It's a bit early yet to make comparisions but he's on his way to break Senna's most qualifying wins in a row record. Hard to compare how qualifying is done now to back in Senna's day though.
Maybe the car is just miles ahead of everyone else and Webber's drving is starting to fall off?

I am looking forward to seeing the movie though.

 

[mercuryblues]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Originally Posted By: ffracer
He was one of the best race car drivers ever in any series.

To me, he was the complete driver - smooth, but aggressive. Tactical, but with the fire in the belly.

Never seen anyone like him in any form of racing.

What about young Sebbastian Vettel? It's a bit early yet to make comparisions but he's on his way to break Senna's most qualifying wins in a row record. Hard to compare how qualifying is done now to back in Senna's day though.
Maybe the car is just miles ahead of everyone else and Webber's drving is starting to fall off?

I am looking forward to seeing the movie though.


That could be very true. Right now, I'd still put Senna above Vettel. Senna also had some great drivers also at their peak at his time, like Mansell and Prost. So it made it easier to compare Senna to others. Give Vettel a few more years and that very well could change. A couple of mysteries do remain... If Schuey's Mercedes becomes even more competitive, you could see quite a battle between him and Vettel. Even though Michael is 42-years-old, he stays in shape and I think there's still potential in him. Plus, Alonso and his Ferrari can come back as well if they straighten out their issues. That way you can compare Vettel against two contemporaries at their best. Should be interesting.

 

[IndyIan]

I dunno about Schumacher ever being competitive again. He hasn't come close to Rosberg for quite a while now. I think his speed was based on his reflexes and feel for taking the car right to the limit and making small corrections to keep it there. I think with age, his reflexes and feel can't keep up with his driving style anymore.

A guy like Button who is smooth all the time probably can extend his career in F1 a little longer IMO. He doesn't tend to wring the car's neck, like Hamilton or Alonso, or like Schumacher did.

I'm hoping Ferrari can give Alonso some speed to get Vettel sweating, then we'll see how he deals with pressure.

 

[123Saab]

Rosberg drives like his father.

Not Exciting, Just solid as a test pilot.

 

[ChattZX]

Ayrton Senna is an idol of mine, the aggressive way he raced and had no fear was just exceptional to watch. He cared about other drivers and was also just a genuine person. No F1 driver present or future will ever have the talent that Senna possessed.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: ChattZX
No F1 driver present or future will ever have the talent that Senna possessed.

So, you're saying you've seen the future? LOL!

 

[ChattZX]

No one "IMO" will surpass Senna's natural talent for driving cars to the limit. He made even the worst of cars able to fight for wins and even championships and I can't say the same for any other driver.

 

[Pesca]

To sustain ChattZX's point, you just have to remember what he did on a Toleman in 1984 at the Monaco Grand Prix: I know, I was there!

And then again, think of all these years at Lotus when he did not drive the best car at that time.

Some are just natural talents, it is in their blood/guts, others have to work hard to get the same results, but they can, even if they are not as talented.
In a way, I am more impressed with the second category as it is hard to succeed in a field where you were not born to be good in.

 

[[RT] ProjUltraZ]

of the current drivers, i think Alonso is most like him in personality, but Hamilton is most like him in skill.

Vettel is something like him too, but is more conservative on passing maybe because he hasn't had to do too much of it.

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: Pesca
Some are just natural talents, it is in their blood/guts, others have to work hard to get the same results, but they can, even if they are not as talented.
In a way, I am more impressed with the second category as it is hard to succeed in a field where you were not born to be good in.


The "natural talents" still have to work hard. I don't think there is a top-level professional athlete who hasn't spent their life working hard at what they do. Sure, some guys can be pretty good at certain things relative to the average person without working hard, but they're never going to get to the top without putting in just as much work as those they're competing against.

 

[Pesca]

I totally agree with you, Rpn453.

When I wrote that part, I was thinking of people like Alesi, who was quite a natural talent, but it seems his aim was only to get to F1, and not to be world champion. He never seemed to really try to work hard, especially when he arrives at Ferrari.

ProUltraZ, I think the same way as you: Alonso is someone special, he has dedicated himself to succeed.
I just watched the documentary and I think there are similarities with Alonso, Hamilton, and Senna: When they arrived in Formula, they had someone to gauge to. If they could beat him, that would mean they would be the best, respectively Schumacher, Alonso, and Prost.
This documentary is quite special, especially for someone of my age, that was my youth, he was living my dreams.