Best F-1 Drivers Who Never Won Title

[Isobel]

Originally Posted by 375+

Ah, Montoya. Talk about a talent squandered. Now he spends his time in boogityville driving in circles in hope of a top 20 finish. Any opinions here?

No question. Good call, a natural.

[Chicko]

Robert Kubica.

[Gatorrari]

I'd say that Moss was unquestionably the best never to win the title. And Amon is clearly the best never to win a championship GP race.

[nickd]

Jim Clark - without doubt one of the best drivers ever....

[David Lind]

Clark won 2 F-1 titles and wouldhave won again in 1967 but for reliability issues. He also won the Indy 500 (twice, if it weren't for home cooking at IMS) in 3 tries. He was so good, even AJ Foyt said he was great. How many people has AJ ever said that about?

[Peter Tabmow]

If I had to pick just one, it would be Sir Stirling...

[TheMayor]

I also vote Alesi.

Jimmy Clark was probably the best driver ever in my book. Unbelievable.

[375+]

Originally Posted by David Lind

Clark won 2 F-1 titles and wouldhave won again in 1967 but for reliability issues. He also won the Indy 500 (twice, if it weren't for home cooking at IMS) in 3 tries. He was so good, even AJ Foyt said he was great. How many people has AJ ever said that about?

Right on.

[spirot]

Those who never won the WDC;
1. Stirling Moss
2. Jackie Ickx
3. Gilles Villeneuve
4. Carlos Reutemann
5. Tazio Nouvalari
6. Wolfgang Von Trips


Ones that did not deserve it:

1. James Hunt
2. Keke Rosberg
3. Mike Hawthorn

[375+]

Originally Posted by TheMayor

I also vote Alesi.

Jimmy Clark was probably the best driver ever in my book. Unbelievable.

Alesi is a tragic character right out of an Italian opera, at least in terms of his career choices.

Again, my three top choices: Peterson, Villeneuve and Alesi. Pure talent and tenacity. I miss seeing them all.

[Gilles27]

Gilles & Moss are no-brainers for the list. That said, I was always a fan of Depailler and Laffite, not that they're "the best", or anything. Just always liked them and think they would have been more than deserving Champs. I've heard witnesses of the 60's/70's say strong things about Jackie Ickx but I've never seen him race, so I can't say one way or the other. Dan Gurney deserves more credit, too. A pioneer before his time. I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but the story goes that after Jimmy Clark's funeral, his father approached Gurney and, in their conversation, told him that Jimmy had confided that the only driver he ever doubted about being able to beat was Gurney.

[375+]

Originally Posted by spirot

Those who never won the WDC;
1. Stirling Moss
2. Jackie Ickx
3. Gilles Villeneuve
4. Carlos Reutemann
5. Tazio Nouvalari
6. Wolfgang Von Trips


Ones that did not deserve it:

1. James Hunt
2. Keke Rosberg
3. Mike Hawthorn

I don't believe there was a World Championship when Nuvolari competed. Agree with Rosberg and Hawthorn, disagree about Hunt. Though he arguably won due to Lauda's tragic accident(that was part of the equation in those years) he drove brilliantly that season to the very end. Don't forget the many protests lodged by both Ferrari and McLaren that season.

[MBFerrari]

OF course I will jump in to add Rubens. The question from the OP was not if he was world championship material but who were the best that were never world champs.

My list would be:
1. Stirling Moss
2. Jackie Ickx
3. G Vill
4. Rubens
5. Alesi

Too bad Alesi can't get an Indy car up to speed like Rubens! LOL

[Miltonian]

Based on talent: Francois Cevert.

Based on brains: Bruce McLaren.

[OhioMark]

Bellof: Correct about him at Monaco chasing and catching both Prost & Senna. It would
have been interesting to see him compete against Senna in better equipment. Too
bad he thought he could go two wide through Eau Rouge (sp?) at Spa!

[Remy Zero]

I'm too young...but i guess Gilles Villeneuve..

[classic308]

Originally Posted by Miltonian

Based on talent: Francois Cevert.

Agree...plenty of good French drivers in the 70s and 80s who could have won it in the right equipment.

[ferraripete]

Originally Posted by Miltonian

Based on talent: Francois Cevert.

Based on brains: Bruce McLaren.

it took 54 posts! yes, cevert.

[furoni]

barichello, like many of the drivers on this list, did not make it to wc because they were driving as #2. barrichello could have won at least one of the years he was seconding schumi. and the year he drove with button at brawn he nearly had it too.[/QUOTE]

Please!!! Barichelo had a title wining car for 6 years, six!!!!! The best he was able to do was 2 second places!!!! This is miserable!!!

2000-shumi 1-108 rubens 4-62!!!
2001-shumi 1-123 rubens 3-56!!!
2002-shumi 1-144 rubens 2-77!!!
2003-shumi 1-93 rubens 4-65
2004-shumi 1-148 rubens 2-114
2005-shumi 3-62 rubens 8-38 !!!!(i know, this was a non title year)
2009-Button 1-95 rubens 3-77

Now, when do you think Rubens could have been a champion?

[TifosiUSA]

Rubens had his chance in 2009 and couldn't deliver.