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Best Team Principal Managers

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by snj5, Feb 22, 2009.

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  1. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
    10,213
    San Antonio
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    Russ Turner
    #1 snj5, Feb 22, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Somewhat inspired by the Best cross format driver thread, who do you think wwas the best or was your favorite team principal? Now, obviously with this being FerrariChat I have to gve our man his due, as well deserved. There are some other really good ones, one of my favorites being the wiley Colin Chapman of Lotus, as shady a character as he has sometimes been described, and Ken Tyrrell who started low and worked his way up. And certainly Eddie Jordan knew how to dress up the paddock with girls. Over here, the might of Roger Penske comes to mind.

    But, being a Euro history nut, I'll start and say in addition to our man from the little machine shop in Maranello, his opposite at Mercedes, Alfred Neubauer, presided over the industrial might of the Silver Arrows and some pretty impressive teams.

    And fortunately, I found a photo of my two favorites having a discussion that I cannot even begin to imagine what it was like...
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  2. decardona

    decardona Formula 3

    Apr 23, 2005
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    Dennis Cardona
    #2 decardona, Feb 24, 2009
    Colin Chapman, hands down. What he accomplished with Lotus, the Cosworth engine and other innovations are legendary. His list of drivers aren't shabby either. Titles with Clark, Hill, Rindt, Fittipaldi and Andretti. And don't forget that kid from Brazil or one of the most underrated F1 drivers ever, Ronnie Peterson. Chapman provided each driver what they needed at all times. And the great ones flourished. Second in my book is Ken Tyrrell. He did it his way all the way till the end. He presence is greatly missed.
     
  3. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 30, 2007
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    #3 GuyIncognito, Feb 24, 2009
    much as I hate to say it, Flavio Briatore managed to achieve a lot without the benefit of cubic dollars like Ferrari and McLaren (think Benneton in the mid 90's)
     
  4. Modeler

    Modeler F1 Veteran

    May 19, 2008
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    a.n.other
    #4 Modeler, Feb 24, 2009
    Great photo. Thanks!
    Certainly titans in the field.
    We get a little crossed up when mixing team owner managers with those solely managing I think.
    Principals will have an extra area to achieve in that skews our perception.
    I give Alfred N a lot of credit for not killing drivers and find it hard to warm to either Chapman or Enzo due to how and how hard they played the game.
    Bruce McLaren could build a car with a brake pedal solid enough not to break and found no need to 'motivate' drivers as the Rodriguez brothers were.
    We simply can't ignore that Alfred Neubauer invented the concept of Rennleiter, a master stroke that lead the way for all other team leaders, race strategy, pit signaling etc. All his creations!
    When the 300SL landed in the crowd Alfred N withdrew the whole team and retired literally. For that alone he has enormous respect due him.
    In more modern times Eddie Jorden is a favorite for my battlers award for racing team leaders. Bruce McLaren for manufacturing principal team leaders shares with him as the two I'd most like to spend time and talk racing with.
    Just a few thoughts not everyone may agree with but what I've got at 4AM when the old bones woke me up.
    Cheers
     

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