Which era was more difficult to dominate in?

I wouldn't know. The Fangio era ended before I was born and there is precious little footage I've seen of racing back then. However, it seems that sports in general have gotten more competitive over time, gladiators excepted.

I suspect this is like the good old Marciano vs. Ali/Tyson/Lewis/Holyfield argument in boxing. Those with the most forceful stance have never seen any of them fight live...

 

LOL ok you can argue with it..

Sorry Luis..

 

True, as did Barrichello and Badoer. Also the FIA's constantly banning things when Ferrari couldn't get it or figure it out (Beryllium for one, McLaren's brake, steer system for another) didn't hurt either.

How is Fangio taking over a teammates' car much different that having a teammate move over for you?

 

The teammate cannot block for you anymore.

 

I stand corrected..

 

You're not seriously asking this question, aren't you?

When your car has a technical problem in today's time, it is game over. In the Fangio era you limp to the pits, then take over your team mate's car.

Big difference in a time when reliability was very poor.

 

And just for the record:

I haven't decided which era was more difficult. I think this question is impossible to answer as both had their elements which made it harder or simpler.

But let's just recap what Schumacher himself said about the Fangio era and whether he would have been champ then: "No way. I would have never raced in that era as it was way too dangerous." Maybe therein lies the answer?
He said these words when driving Fangio's car (IIRC) at the modern Nuerburgring.

 

I'm only half serious. Cars don't break down these days like they used to back then so the point is a bit mooted. Curiously enough, Fangio mainly took over his teammate's cars when he raced for Ferrari. Apparently he and the old man didn't get along too well.

 

Ok, now I see your comment about BADoer in the right light. I mean, c'mon how could he develop anything by being seconds off the pace?

 

Lol, poor guy. It's not like GF did any better. The F60 was such a turd!

 

Agreed.

Tell that to all the Kimi haters. He single handedly wrestled that turd to victory at Spa. No wonder they call it a drivers' circuit.

 

OTOH, I wonder how the Fangio era drivers would have dealt with the G-forces in modern F1 cars. I'd bet that their conditioning was nowhere near that of today's drivers.

 

Very good point. Froilan Gonzalez comes to mind.

Competitionwise I think the fifties were a lot looser than today's F1 because many of the drivers were "gentlemen drivers" who had much more money than talent.

...oh wait, what?

Ah yes, the new driver for USF1. Hmm, maybe I just lost my argument...

 

That might be true, but then again again you can get yourself into shape if you're motivated. There's not a damned thing you can do if your balls are too small.

 

Could be. But I'm guessing that the scientific knowledge of nutrition, physical training and other relevant fields simply wasn't there to allow present levels of physical fitness. Of course there were guys like Jesse Owens and Paavo Nurmi way before Fangio's time albeit in a different discipline.

 

Well put.

Although I noticed that the commercials during the late F1 races on Speed TV actually seem to offer products to help with the issue you mention...

 

I haven't got much interest in USF1 but I wonder what the deal is with this guy. Is he a protege of Reutemann's or something? If so, I could see the financial backing because Carlos has apparently been a VIP there for a very long time.

 

Apparently there is tie between PW and Reuteman. And given that there aren't that many Argentinian drivers that make it to F1, I'm not surprised Reuteman jumps in. I'm all for a driver from Argentina but he should be in F1 for his talent and not the $$$ he brings.

 

Could you please forward that information to Kovalainen.

 

Excellent thread guys, nice to see everyone with good information and being nice for a change.