What about Jack Brabham? Ok, he's a driver but he won the WDC with his own car. I think Mauro Forghieri deserves his place as well amongst F1's most influential people. David
And ran the team into the ground after initial success in 76, like Frank Williams has done now to his team. Mayer is but a manager, when Bruce died they lost an engineer and the main motivator in the team. It pains me to say this but the current McLaren team is not really a continuation of Bruce's team but Ron Dennis' Project 4 team. Ron needed Malboro sponsorship so a deal was done so that he took over McLaren but really he took over the Malboro sponsorship. Ron started with a clean sheet and Barnard designed the MP4 which they had already been tooling around with under the Project 4 banner ... Pete
Mayer was not a F-1 genius but he did fill in between Bruce and Ron.... as for P4 and McLaren - it was Robert Morris who needed Ron....and Barnard, Ron needed the F-1 entry... Marlboro needed to protect thier investment.
Wow - so many to pick from if past is included. I have to say I think the world of Dr. Sid - just an incredible man. I also dig Adrian Newey, man that guy is money and seems like his head is on straight. Big Ross Brawn fan, too - hard to argue against his resume. Anyone of those 3 would be there. Jackie Stewart too - I just think his legacy and willingness to fight the man is deserving of respect.
In that today's F1 is defined by the huge sums of money involved perhaps Chapman or even Moss may have had the most influence by bringing outside sponsorship to the sport.