Lotus49 wrote:
MB-BOB wrote:
Siao7 wrote:
MB-BOB wrote:
This Senna contract discussion is WAY off topic, and deserving of the same chiding you folks heap on me and others who see this ranking of drivers simply.
Don't you think that getting an advantage over your peers contractually is worth a mention when assessing their relevant performances?
Nope. All drivers have contracts, and all drivers view themselves as better than their teammate, whether stipulated in a contract or not.
Do you remember Ascari's contract? Fangio's contract? Mike Hawthorn's contract? Discuss all the fine points of who was better all you want, but 40 years from now, all this bickering will not matter, because it will not be relevant, let alone remembered. The only thing to be remembered will be the statistics. And a 2-time WDC will not be ranked higher than a 7-time WDC.
You don't think there's anyone that ranks Clark ahead of Schumi? I'm sure I've read some from time to time. Memories don't fade half as quick as you think they do and now we have every race on film and forums to keep discussions going. I know how highly rated Moss was and I'll know it in 40yrs too if I'm still here and I'll talk about it. I'll talk about the likes of Alonso and share articles,video etc about him and I'm sure there will be plenty more doing it as it's near impossible to talk about the careers of three of the guys high up on the stat list without mentioning Alonso and looking into the seasons.
I don't think you're getting push back for your opinion on stats trump all, it's a fairly common standpoint and for a lot of people it'll be true even in a non-spec series like F1, but I think it's more the finality you seem to think it will be that only the stats will be talked about or rated. The game is over 50 years old and it's not true now so why would it be in another 50?
I remember watching Jimmy Clark’s 1965 victory at the Indy 500 in real time, which signaled the future of rear-engined cars. (a wake-up call at the time here in the US). I followed his career in real time (as best the media would allow) until his tragic death in 1968. He was an unassuming Scot with a humble, mild-mannered attitude, sometimes feeling embarrassed when he won, even feeling guilty that he raced against his parent’s wishes.
While we can wax poetically about this, at the end of the day, you will realize Clark will be remembered as much because of the unfulfilled promises of a career cut short in its prime... as he will be remembered for his 2 WDCs, bravely driving cars better known as death traps than proper racing machines.
In contrast, we can say that Schumacher will be remembered for his arrogance, his driving ethics, and occasional lapses in judgment. But really, he will be remembered (much more) for earning 7 WDC’s in dominating fashion, setting record after record with two different teams over a 10-year period. He will not be remembered for his ill-fated comeback attempt, any more than Clark will be remembered for being a consummate driver, but NOT a strong technical mind for diagnosing a car (Colin Chapman did that).
You can insist that all these nuances will be preserved over time, and
I hope I’ve proven that I can appreciate all these nuances, too. Appreciating the statistics does not take away any of these nuances. Instead, I’d like to think the records are realized proof of talent over time. And it will be these records mentioned first when a driver’s career is discussed. Can’t really avoid that practicality, and I don't think it a shallow sin to expect it.
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.... Reason being Vettel has made a lot of mistakes and not always been on his game after his season in Red Bull. All these other drivers have pretty much had solid performances in their whole careers..
