“Heard about your 10 British Formula 1 champions feature,” read the email. “I’m sure I’m too late but has anyone bagged Graham Hill? I’d love to champion his cause.”
Choosing who should write the profiles for our special features in the August issue was the easy bit. Colin Goodwin picked himself with the message above, Doug Nye was the obvious choice for his old local hero, ‘Farnham Flyer’ Mike Hawthorn, while Jimmy Clark fanatic Peter Windsor’s name was down against the great Scot from the moment we decided to ask our readers who is their favourite British F1 champion.
We’ve created this special poll to mark National Motorsport Week, which runs from June 30 to July 8 to promote the incredible successes of the British racing industry. The annual week of events is a joint venture between The Motor Sports Association and the Motorsport Industry Association, and we’re delighted our poll – with support from The Daily Telegraph – will play a part in the celebrations. The voting is already live on the Motor Sport website. Join in and see who’s leading so far… Make your vote on the right-hand side of this page.
In terms of F1 champions from one nation, Britain has a tally that is going to be hard for any other country to match. The Finns have three in Keke Rosberg, Mika Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen, as do the Brazilians thanks to Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna. But then there’s a gaping chasm to Britain’s roll call of champs. The 10 from the British Isles span Hawthorn in 1958 to Hill, Clark, Surtees and Stewart in the 1960s, James Hunt in the 1970s, then Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill, Lewis Hamilton in 2008 and finally Jenson Button in 2009. What a breadth of talent through time.
Still, we had to be careful with this one. The key word in our poll is ‘favourite’, not ‘greatest’. Semantics perhaps – if you choose your favourite, you are probably going to think they’re also the greatest. But the g-word is inflammatory. Comparing talents across vastly different eras is fatuous and impossible, and we do our best to avoid it. Here, we are being gloriously subjective. We just want to know which has inspired you the most, from their style and class in and out of the cockpit? Who have you enjoyed watching over the years, and who have you most admired? Hunt could never be considered as great a talent as Clark – but he still might be your favourite.
To help sway your vote, we’ve lined up writers who have an affinity in some way with each of the 10. For example, Alan Henry got to know John Surtees well during his years covering Formula 2 and then F1 during the 1964 champion’s team-owner years; editor-in-chief Nigel Roebuck met a welcoming Jackie Stewart in his first season as a reporter; David Tremayne and Adam Cooper had prime views through the Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill eras; Rob Widdows, as he says in his article, was of the same generation as James Hunt, and shared his, um, unconventional approach to life… The articles on each are a reflection of the writers as much as the subjects – and perhaps one or two might chime with you.
As you’ll notice, we’ve broken all the rules and added our own ‘11th man’ too, by including Stirling Moss. When I told Doug Nye about our plan, he warned against leaving The Boy out just because of a small matter of statistics, but Nigel and I had already agreed: Stirling had to be in, even if he never actually won the F1 title – so you can vote for him as well.
And if you’re one of our growing number of overseas readers please don’t feel left out. If you’re a Motor Sport reader, you’re a motor sport fan – you’ll have an opinion, so join in the voting too.
Aside from the champions features, we talk to another Brit this month who has joined the ranks of a special club. At the end of May Dario Franchitti won his third Indianapolis 500, and now he finds himself in the record books alongside the likes of Bobby Unser, Johnny Rutherford and his friend Helio Castroneves as a three-times Indy winner. We’ve already honoured Dario with membership of our Hall of Fame. Now he graces the cover for August editions sold in the US and Australia.
Both Simon Taylor and Nigel Roebuck mark the passing of the great Roy Salvadori this month. Simon also lunches with one of only two men to have won the TT on two and four wheels (he’s the son of a TT winner, too…), while tin-top specialist Jeff Allam dusts off his overalls to sample some glorious 1990s Super Touring cars.
If you’re based in the UK then you will also notice that we’ve done an Essential Guide to Motor Racing supplement with Casio. Formula 1 may be the pinnacle of the sport, but there is so much more to motor racing and we’ve covered all the main series in single seaters, sports cars, touring cars, the US and in rallying. If you want to know what Auto GP or the Australian V8 Supercars are all about then this is a good place to start. Don’t worry if you’re not from the UK, the supplement comes free with the iPad edition here.
There’s also details of the History of Motorsport Technology Conference which is being held at Cranfield University on July 3, and has support from Motor Sport. For more details, click here. Sir Jackie Stewart will be the star guest among a list of great speakers and it should be a fascinating day.
So enjoy the issue – and don’t forget to vote!
There’s no question of the greatest – Jim Clark by a mile.
He only had to drive at 9/10 to beat allcomers in any vehicle.
………..and I spoke to the grerat man once (when a wheel had come off his Lotus Cortina at Brands) – inspiration to all who watched him.
Growing up in Australia, in the 50′s, I followed Stirling in the press & at Warick Farm. Who can forget his Moanco drive in the underpowered Lotus! Jimmy & Jackie, both great drivers. The best? I, like Peter, am biased towards Jimmy, but all three were great drivers. I would love to see the three of them, at the peak of their respective time, in equal machinery, say F250′s!! What about Jack Brabham? But he is an Australian you say! Yes but his passport in ’69 would have given his Nationality as British!!!
Memories of Jimmy,
Whist lining up a shot of the “just out” 23 at the Horticultural Halls in 1900 and frozen to death, a light tap on the shoulder and a “Would you like me to sit in it for you?” – Jimmy.
In the paddock at Crystal Palace just after that Indianapolis win, posing for a shot for me with that “Pure” jacket on, with a smile – Jimmy.
Coming through Bottom Bend in the 25 with fingertips on the wheel and tongue between his lips – Jimmy and , of course, 2 wheeling the Cortina through Dingle Dell at the same meeting.
I still remember the feeling of loss when we lost Jimmy, not just a great driver but a great man.
Jim Clark was the man when I first became aware of F1. I think that the Schumacher era and the Fangio era were the only other periods in F1 when one driver stood out so clearly from all the rest.
Jim Clark is one of the all time greats. Everyone knows it.
But Graham Hill gets my nod.
There’s only 2 Champions up there with personality, James Hunt being the other. So its Graham for me for his work in and out of the cockpit. Add to that the Triple Crown and its job done. He doesn;t have the talent of some of the others, but he was there like all the rest when overtaking or pushing literally meant putting your life on the line.
I remember cycling to the Full Sutton airfield circuit and entering through the hedge (no money for entry) and watching Jimmy Clark winning everything in his White D type Jaguar.
It fired my enthusiasm for motor sport and still haven’t lost it.
Thanks Jimmy, you were the best
Jim Clark is in my mind.
I talked with him in 1967 and he was very nice. I was working for a glove company and he he agreed to try a a pair of our new gloves. He was most cooperative and was fair and honest about the gloves.
He appeared to be a true gentleman as well as one heck of a driver.
Because I am of British descent, I like this question. I guess my favourite British F1 driver would be Jim Clark followed by Graham Hill and John Surtees. I guess it’s my age but I think they were not only great champions in the game but they were sportsmen and played the game fairly. By that I mean you could go into a corner with them and know they would not bunt you off the track, unlike some of the drivers today.
Cheers,
John R. Wright Historian the Canadian Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame
My favourite would be Mansell, although this is mostly because I grew up watching him and was at Silverstone in 1987 aged 15 watching through a cardboard periscope as he came round in the lead. It’s a tricky question, because there’s much more bound up in choosing your favourite British champion than merely how good they were as a driver or what their personality is like. Clark, Graham Hill and Surtees … all great drivers, probably better than Mansell, but all before my time.
the reason i love motor racing, Jim Clark
It has to be Jim Clark. He is my favourite because he was not only the best in anything he chose to drive but was also a perfect hero for a young person to look up to.
Surely he should not be considered “the greatest”,but my favourite is definetively……..GRAHAM HILL !!!!
I was Australian correspondent for Autosport during the Tasman era and to a minor degree got to know Jimmy, Graham and co. The privilege of listening to an after dinner talk by Graham Hill is something I’ll never forget, so personality wise, he’s at the top of my list. Nevertheless I’ve agonized for years over the Jimmy versus Stirling question, and I’m going to go with Stirling. Now if you want the greatest rather than favorite, that’s Jimmy.
Bought my first Motor Sport aged 15yrs in 62, Graham Hill on cover,for me he’s the man, I was considering Jenson Button because he’s such a nice bloke unlike another World Champ Brit.
Mr Motor Racing can only mean one person . Sir Stirling Moss. Even now 50 years after his meteoric career was cut short people still say about fast drivers ” Who do you think you are , Stirling Moss .” The best all rounder of all time .
The emphasis on favourite champion driver as opposed to best driver is an important one. If my vote was for best then Jim Clark would win hands down. However, as someone who is in his forties I first became ‘hooked’ on F1 back in the late 1980s. My favourite champion is therefore Nigel Mansell. His ‘all out’ style and passion behind the wheel was something that I used to love – even if on some occasions his uncompromising manner led to him breaking down or crashing and losing valuable world championship points. I guess it’s an age thing and whilst I’ve no desire to wish my life away I’m also envious of those of you who can remember the Clark-Hill-Stewart years first hand.
Jimmy for sûre. Permanent understatement at thé Level of his talent !
always liked graham hill and john surtees but I liked the 50-60s era better then any other time !!!!!!! more drama and intrigue !!!!!!!!!!
But I don’t have an iPad! You may be surprised to learn that most people don’t, so why not make it available as a pdf on the website, too?
I get a bit fed up that, despite being a subscriber, I miss out on all the special extra goodies because I don’t live in the UK any more.
Mansell is my pick. I love a professional underdog. And it will annoy Roebuck!
My favourite is Alan Jones for his on-track speed, aggression and no-frills attitude.
The poor bloke had to spend so much time in England and is a good chance of being related to a British convict so in my opinion he can be a British champion for the purposes of this exercise.
regards from Down Under.
John Read, Jonesy a Pom? Give the poor b**ger a break. As for JB carrying a British Passport in 1969 or 59, Jim Smith that was impossible. Australian passports were first issued to Australian citizens in 1949, according to Wikipedia. Must admit grew up and remain a Clark fan, best race I ever saw was Clark v Stewart at Lakeside Tasman Series 1967. That beautiful Lotus 33 vs the distinctinve sounding BRM, remains etched in my mind.
What I Do Know:
A – I Am Not British, So If I Praise A British Racer Is On Merit And Never On Nationality,
B – I Did Not Care Much For F1 Before The Last Laps Of FRANCE79, So I Have No Opinion On Any Racer Before That,
C – I Respect, Above All, The Commitment To Win Races And Not WDCs, So 3 Racers Stand Out In Equal Value,
D – You Just Can Not Compare Drivers Before And After 1994 – Today There Are No Such Things As Flat Out Racing And Putting Your Life On The Line, Because F1 Today Has Rules And Penalties For Everything,
E – Before 1994 – GILLES And NIGE – ( I Know GILLES Was Canadian But It Is Still Commonwealth Right ? – He Never Got His WDC But I Had To Mention Him Because If It Was Not For Him I Doubt I Would Give Any Damn About F1 ),
F – After 1994 – LEWIS – I Wish I Could Have Had The Chance To Witness His Skills In The Good Old Days,
G – And Just For Those ( You Know Who You Are ), Besides Not Being British, In F1, I Am Also Color Blind.
AGGRESSIVE RACERS, FOREVER !
I know Clark is the Best of them, but these are my faves:
Mansell. I watched him as his racing years took place, and enjoyed his style. Was disappointed along with him many times, and enjoyed ’92.
Surtees. Didn’t see him, but on bikes and in cars, and he got his WDC in a Ferrari.
Graham Hill. How cool was he? Wit and humor as well as wins at the classics.
Every year in the 1970′s and 1980′s at the proper Kyalami I would pause for a moment and wish I was watching Jim Clark winning the 1968 South African Grand Prix.
I have been to his grave, scenes of his greatest triumphs and dissapointments (East London) etc but I never saw him race. That is my tragedy. Head and shoulders above the rest, he was the real deal.
as someone who has disagreed with ‘your Nige’ for so many years i’ve lost count about the two greatest drivers we;ve known – me for Jimmy – Nige for Stirling – seems more people feel Jimmy the greater, also my favourite – because of his intelligence and manners – as well as this phenomenal ability- i remember talking to the late and sadly missed Henry Liddon about the 1966 RAC rally and – this was the guy who sat with so many great rally stars and how emotional Henry got talking about Jimmy and how fantastic he was and how easily he would have become a rally star,
also like to say how welcome it is to hear great things about Graham Hill, a truly underrated driver of immense talent and a champion in any era – just a shame for Graham he kept coming up against these Scots
It has to be Jim Clark having seen him win races in the Lotus 25 at Oulton Park and the first. 100mph lap, Then go out and win in the works Lotus Cortina and have to wrestle with the poor Lotus 30 sports racer and he still had time to chat to the enthusiasts in the paddock| !
Kindest regards
Les
Jimmy by some margin. Like his wins. Any one who knew him or even just met him, enjoyed what an unassumming man he was. It couldn’t be just his God given talent. His will to win was just as intense as Mansell/Senna.
Seems a bit strange to me to focus on one nationality.
Also agree with those saying it’s difficult to plump for anyone before one’s own time. We all know Moss and Clark’s records and achievements, but honestly, even the people living through those eras got most of their info from radio and written reports of races (very little film, certainly not coverage of every race, every corner, every cock-up).
My vote goes to Mansell for toughing it out against some of the very best ever (Senna, Prost and the underrated Piquet) in the best era ever (mid-80s to mid-90s). A fighter. A never-give-upper. And doing it all with an unfashionable Brummie accent, a hungry caterpillar ‘tache, and no silver spoon (hence the public school set that dominates the Brit racing scene – and especially its media – never really took to him or gave credit – as they still won’t today to a certain other extremely talented Brit driver who’s also arisen from the ‘wrong’ level of society…)
So Mansell it is.
Graham Hill is my favourite World Champion. He did not possess the greatest natural driving talent but he made up for it with persitance, tenacity and teaching himself to improve his abilities. He overcame a very serious accident to become World Champion for the second time. In fact he should have won the title for a third time but lost it in under somewhat suspicious circumstances.
Graham was perhaps the best ambassador that the World Championship has ever had. He was a great racounteur and could keep an audience entertained.
I understand that he could be a very intense individual but I think he had to overcome a lot adversities to attain the position that he did.
I only met him once, at Mosport for the 1967 Canadian Grand Prix. He took the time to speak with me and my wife and autograph a book for us.
I liked him and he will always be my favourite British World Champion
Damon hill.
Favourite is the question and he’s mine. simple.
A true gent, and was such a sport in Hungary 1997.
No question about it: Jimmy Clark. He was just so far ahead of anyone else. I grew up in the ‘eighties and desperately wanted Mansell to be champion (true Brit that he was, he knew how to put his public through the wringer) – but as a racing fan I’d have to go for Jimmy every time.
I’m aware he wasn’t very popular with this publication, but why has no-one made even a passing mention of Jackie Stewart? 27 championship wins, three world titles and his immense contribution to driver and spectator safety? True, old Jenks is probably spinning in his grave as I type this but that can’t be helped.
Jim Clark. I had the honor of racing with him at Riverside CA USA – LA Times GP – in the big Group Seven Sports Cars, he came third, I was fourth. He had a horrid car! If I had the Lotus 40 and he had my Mk1 McLaren-Chev, I would have been like 12th and he could well have won. Ah, favorite for that … and the fact he was a really good man, a true gentleman. Cheers! (I have to add, if my friend Stirling Moss had won a F1 Title it would have been him. Alas he did not.)
This is really hard, I never saw Mike Hailwood race, but was always told he was great. I think that as a champion of british motorsport that Graham Hill deserves a shout for holding lotus together followign the death of Jim Clark, Jackie Stewarts meticulous preparation and his drive for both safety and promotion of the sport is worthy of credit, James Hunt’s ebullience, Damon Hills grit and determination, the charging nature of Mansel, the calm assurance of Button or the exubaetant flair of Hamilton, the list goes on BUT.
For me it is a call between John Surtees 2 and 4 wheels, (never to be done again I fear) and Jim Clark. With that said I follow Mr Surtees, Jim was the best driver he’d ever seen and whilst I knew him most for being a farmer, he was a truly humble man and a great champion. He was also simply the best british driver of an F1 car. We still miss you.
Jim Clarke wrote the manual, Sir Jackie Stewart survived the test.
This a very difficult question. First instinct is Jimmy Clark, I remember exactly what I was doing that sad day we lost him. Who knows what he could have accomplished?
Jackie Stewart has accomplished such a great deal more besides his World Championships.
Stirling Moss, blighted by that saying: ‘Best driver never to have won a championship.’
Graham Hill, raffish, dry, a perfectionist.
All the drivers mentioned have a case.
F1 does not cherish mediocrity,
having recvd this months rather good magazine – although have to ask if it is as good as the preceding months? i did so enjoy reading Peter’s lovely but poignant little story about Jimmy in 1968 – one of life’s great sadness’s is not seeing the likes of Jimmy or Graham or Bruce et al at today’s Goodwood meet – i really don’t want to take anything from Graham’s achievements but for that wretched race in Germany i wonder how soon Jimmy would have wrapped up the championship that year
I voted for Mike Hawthorn who on his day beat the best in the world – 1953 French GP – and enjoyed his sport, as a sport !
Best – Clark
Favourite – Mansell
James Hunt – has to be. Like the poll says – ‘favourite’ not ‘greatest’. He was pure box office in his pomp and led a whole generation to get involved and follow the sport – the people now in F1 – with his maverick approach. He made F1 sexy. The allure. The danger. It’s what it’s all about – even today. Yes, others drivers were better – some, like Clark, miles better. But James Hunt encapsulated the whole thing. I don’t see people making films about Hill v Clark, Hawthorn v Moss (and that’s with the very, very greatest respect). We all owe a huge debt to James Hunt – great driver, great broadcaster and all-round true British sporting hero. At times like these we need more of his like around.
Jackie Stewart.
Only British triple champion; started the team that we now call Red Bull; the first truly professional racing driver – perhaps the first truly professional sportsman; as witty as Graham Hill in those sports personality of the year skits; and had a film made about him by Roman Polanski, which is beyond cool.
JYS – my favourite of a very, very good bunch.
That was a real toughy! If you’d not included the eleventh man..I’d have gone for Jim Clark without question as it was seeing TV coverage of him in a Lotus 25 that aroused my passion for Motor-racing, which went on to marshalling for many years around various British circuits. It could be said of both that there wasn’t anything they couldn’t drive well, but I think Stirling just has the edge by a very narrow margin!
Having seen most of them in action it has to be Clark, Ok he had the best GPcar most of the time but his ability to hustle a sports car or touring car beyond its capabilities puts him at the top of the heap. its hard to compare in the modern era but Clark, Hill Hunt also raced for FUN. this is after all Motor Sport!
It has to be Jimmy as favourite and greatest also by a big distance. The bloke was simply awesome behind the wheel of any and every car he drove which was a lot. A pure and natural winner and a man of great humility who simply could not understand why others could not match him. My boyhood hero to this day. How many champiomships could he have won? Four or five more for sure.
Of the others I loved Graham because he was so funny and so very English. I had the pleasure of shaking his hand whilst he was on crutches after Watkins Glen.
Nigel because he had the biggest balls of them all and would not tug the forelock for anyone.
And of course you cannot leave out Jenson who is just a lovely guy and who on his day is unutterably awesome and totally unbeatable as in Canada 2011.
And finally Lewis, another lovely lad of enormous talent. I just want him to fulfill his enormous potential and I hope he will.
My father raced throughout the 60′s against Clark, Stewart, Hill, Rindt, Hulme and many more, sadly most tragically passed away.
I asked my father once who was the best he competed against, without any hesitation he said Clark. He remarked that he could compete with most, but not Clark.
His boyhood idol happened to be Stirling whom he wrote to as a child – and Stirling responded!!
Is Jim Clark wearing a cardigan over his overalls in the above photo? If so, he has my vote for being so unflustered and cool that he didn’t expect to even break into a sweat in that particular race!
May have been minus 10 degrees though……………?
Jimmy Clark was the most naturally gifted driver, but my favourite is Graham Hill for his achievements, his sense of humour and his inspirational spirit.
He totally committed himself both personally and financially to motor sport, loyally supported by Bette and his family.
As well as winning the triple crown, he was an enthusiastic ‘I’ll have a go at that driver” – e.g. the Jaguar E-type’s first race, the Rover gas turbine at Le Mans and the RAC Rally.
His strength of character was the mainstay in the rebuilding of the Lotus team after Jimmy’s death.
His fight back from his own injury was gritty, and when he wasn’t quite good enough for the top teams, he just said “right then, if you won’t give me a drive, I’ll build my own car.”
And his legacy has been in Damon’s achievements. He would be very proud and his comments would be mostly unprintable!
I met Jackie Stewart twice, he was a superb and brave driver but, presumably because of personal insecurity, he has to put down his fellow man.
It just has to be Jim Clark for me. A true gentleman and sportsman. It did not matter where he started on the grid, he just weaved his way through those in front as if they were not there. Nigel Mansell was a very competitive driver but spoilt it all for me by blaming everyone but himself when something didn´t work out. Jackie Stewart, I was his ¨go fetch it¨ for a day in the ’70s, not the best day of my life. Spoke to Mike Hawthorn´s mechanic (one of them) who said that if the car would hold togeather MH would win, seems he was rather hard on the kit !
I know he doesn’t count here but have to mention the best after poor Jim Clarks sad death (damn camera) dear wonderful inspired genius Ayrton Sena da Silva, how many times did we hear when his finish position defied the car he was in ¨it’s not the car, it’s Ayrton¨
@John Read
…
“The 1965 United States Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on October 3, 1965 at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Race Course in Watkins Glen, New York.
…
The weekend was cold (45°F), windy (30 mph), and often wet. In practice, Jim Clark—a Scot, no less—wore a sweater over his driving suit”.
…
AGGRESSIVE RACERS, FOREVER !
Thanks AR,F!
That’s a good story. Times have certainly moved on since then.
If Mike Hawthorn had been around today and, of course, taken his racing seriously like everyone else, he would not only continue to be my favourite, but he would be by far the best champion British motor racing ever had. I watched him driving fearlessly in some horrendous machines, all with open sided cockpits, no safety harnesses, and him dressed in casual trousers and shirt, string backed gloves, a zip up windcheater and his trade mark bow tie at his throat. Let’s see some of todays lot acheive what he did doing that.
@John Read
Do Not Sweat It ( Pun Intended ).
Go, HAMILTON !
Jim Clark gets my vote with Stirling Moss wrestling the wheel just in second place. Sadly I never saw them race and the most inspiring drivers I was lucky enough to see were not British,i.e. Rindt, Peterson and Villeneuve.
I went to Spa to watch Nigel Mansell seal the driver’s championship and all I got on a very wet weekend was to see Michael Schumacher win his first race in a Benetton!
@Dave Robinson
Sorry, But NIGE Had Already Sealed The WDC In The Previous Race, HUNGARY.
AGGRESSIVE RACERS, FOREVER !
I recall Jimmy Clark, from his North American forays, although I favoured Dan Gurney. I saw very little F1 then, coverage was USAC, NASCAR and Can-Am.
Clark was even to my young eye, the talent, but a bit distant.
When Jimmy Clark was lost, the whole mainstream sport journalism community over here, made great effort to admire him as a man, as well as a champion.
Quite exceptional, as racing was hardly covered until the ’80′s, except tragic aspects.
My choice is Jackie Stewart, he defined Grand Prix driver, to me. Won often, earnestly gave voice to elevate safety, made F1′s case to big business.
He was also, very savvy with the media, and gave racing a foothold on the world TV map. We all benefit from that. You might not like everything you watch, but at least you get to see it.
I saw him race in ’72 at Mosport, superb on the day, he duly won.
Mansell, from ’85 on until his retirement, simply because he warred for every possible point. He was “IL Leone’ ” in the car. The drama’s out of it, don’t appeal, but he was a racer.
So Jackie’s my favourite, British champion. His imprint most enduring to me.
I think he is the most talented but John Surtees remains the only man in history to win a championship in both an F1 car and a superbike.
Jackie Stewart is simply the best,not only did he win, he quit whilst uninjured,
Jackie. Also played big part in making F1 safer…….
Gents
Should not that be Sir Stirling Moss…..
Stirling Moss – talent and class
Graham Hill- simply because he worked hard for everything he got.
Jim Clark. (He never liked people calling him “Jimmy”) A real gentleman and blindingly fast. Wish I could have known him.
There are at least three drivers here who have done enough to be on pole in this survey but one stands out, but not just for his outstanding achievements in F1 :
In the view of many, Stirling Moss’ drive to victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia is the greatest single performance in the history of motor racing.
Ably navigated by legendary motoring Journo Denis Jenkinson, Moss drove his Mercedes 300 SLR on Italian public roads for more than 10 hours at an average speed of almost 98mph. A feat that can never be bettered.
Even more remarkable, he finished almost half an hour ahead of the great Fangio in an identical car.
That’s true greatness…….
After Graham Hill won the 1962 Grand Prix in a BRM, a team I have always supported, I started to go to races in 1963 with three other chaps. One of them was a Ferrari follower but we other three supported BRM.
After Graham had his accident driving for Lotus, in I believe 1968 I chanced my luck and looked him up in hospital. I was quite surprised when he agreed to see me. We had a chat for about 20 minutes and he signed some books for me. I was quite shattered when his aircraft crashed.
Stirling Moss is the greatest!!
If You Have The Time Watch “MCLAREN TOONED” On YOUTUBE.
More To Come Until The End Of The Season.
About British drivers?
When I was a young boy my first hero was (and still is)-no doubt- Stewart!
unfortunately in the sixties I was too young to watch Clark…(but not my father which was a great Jimmy supporter!)
From the 80s great Nigel Mansell took my preferences over other drivers.
Italians are about Ferrari but someone not only that….
JAMES HUNT
Jim Clark, hands down. I rememer seeing Jim at the Player’s 200 at Mosport, Ontario Canada back in the 60′s. Was a sportscar series. DNF for Jimtht ay.