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Discussion in 'F1' started by Ferraripilot, Nov 15, 2012.

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  1. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    #1 Ferraripilot, Nov 15, 2012
    Had a very recent conversation with co-worker regarding who we will view in 20-30 years as the 'Senna/Schumacher' of this era. Vettel was not at the top of our lists for whatever reason as we weren't just discussing driving, but rather the driver personality and their connection to the people entered the conversation. He follows Sergio Perez and told me something interesting. Apparently all of Mexico is following this kid and they believe Sergio is the next 'Senna' or at least the Mexican version as he brings so much joy to Mexico, especially this season. I suppose Vettel is held on a pedestal by Germans, but there's something analogue and basic with the young Latin fire drivers that cannot be duplicated.

    This sort of thing very much reminds me of old Italian mechanics whom you can never fully understand due to thick accents, but they do brilliant artist-like work with such simple things vs. the mechanical engineer who gets the job done surgically well but there's something 'lost' and almost unpassionate in what they're doing.

    This type of stuff makes me glad to follow F1. When a driver shows a fraction of the passion and humility for his people like Senna had, it is a good day for racing. I honestly had no idea Sergio was such a big deal down there.


    Anyone else know of drivers who are practically modern cornerstones of civilizations which have essentially little? Mexico being in constant depression makes for a brilliant story for a world champion driver to spawn from. I'm rooting for the kid now.
     
  2. TheBigEasy

    TheBigEasy F1 World Champ
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    #2 TheBigEasy, Nov 15, 2012
    Vettel is the real deal... he is just getting started, IMO... I think he could really rack up some WDC's.
     
  3. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    #3 Ferraripilot, Nov 15, 2012

    Oh agree Vettel is a magnificent driver, probably on par with Alonso/Hamilton at the moment as the top three. But I'm talking about a driver with a real connection to 'the people', especially coming from a country like Mexico where so many -like in Brazil- have nothing. Sergio apparently is really connecting and helping out in that way. Before his career is over, I hope to see a Sergio foundation started for children similar to Senna's. I can see it happening if the hype for him is real, and of course if he's a success.
     
  4. TifosiUSA

    TifosiUSA F1 Veteran

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    #4 TifosiUSA, Nov 15, 2012
    Perez doesn't have enough one-lap pace to hold Senna or Schumacher's jock. Vettel I suppose....I see Alonso as the Prost of this era.

    Vettel and Senna have some similarities (particularly their ability to qualify so well)
     
  5. vinuneuro

    vinuneuro F1 Rookie

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    #5 vinuneuro, Nov 15, 2012
    There is no modern Senna. No one even close.
     
  6. fluque

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    #6 fluque, Nov 15, 2012
    Your co-worker may have overstated Sergio Perez's impact and following in Mexico.

    Perez is well liked and his face is all over due to the Telmex sponsorship but unfortunately not many people follow or care for F1. Mexico follows
    football/soccer and "Chicharito", the Manchester United striker, is the hero here.

    Autoracing fans though have tipped off Perez to become the best Mexican driver out of optimism. He still has some big shoes to fill when compared
    to the Rodriguez brothers. Next year we will see how good Perez really is and whether he has WDC potential.

    I think Perez has the potential to be a Fittipaldi type of driver who serves as ground breaker for others to come.
     
  7. fluque

    fluque Formula 3

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    #7 fluque, Nov 15, 2012
    +1
     
  8. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    #8 Ferraripilot, Nov 15, 2012

    Thank you for your on-the-ground commentary. I was wondering when someone local might key-in.
     
  9. TifosiUSA

    TifosiUSA F1 Veteran

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    #9 TifosiUSA, Nov 15, 2012
    LOL!
     
  10. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #10 Fast_ian, Nov 15, 2012
    +2

    There's some damn good drivers out there right now, but of the current guys only the Schu is anywhere even close to Ayrton. He was other worldly at his best.

    Time for another gratuitous repost of his qualy lap in Suzuka? ;)

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  11. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #11 Fast_ian, Nov 15, 2012
    Even though he's coming off the bench?...... Is Sir Alex a fool? Are there "riots" demanding he play? ;)

    With apologies for the little hijack,
    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  12. 05011994

    05011994 Formula 3
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    #12 05011994, Nov 15, 2012
    +1, there are a couple of great drivers out there (Vettel and Alonso), but I don't yet rate them in the Senna level. Schumacher in his first run (1991-2006) was close, but this time around not so much.
     
  13. Bas

    Bas Four Time F1 World Champ

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    #13 Bas, Nov 15, 2012
    According to some of the armchair experts Vettel sucks. Which makes me chuckle :).
     
  14. TifosiUSA

    TifosiUSA F1 Veteran

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    #14 TifosiUSA, Nov 15, 2012
    Can't believe that so many agree with the statement that "no one on the current grid is close" to Senna. No one CLOSE? I mean really? Define "close."

    Firstly, MS in his first career was better but hasn't been as good in his second career. You could easily argue that Vettel and Alonso are "close" to Senna.
     
  15. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    #15 Ferraripilot, Nov 15, 2012
    Ok let's put driving aside for just a moment, I suppose I should have been a bit more clear as this posting isn't so much about driving, but more about drivers who came from countries where no one could fathom such a driver would/could come from.

    Current Perez I believe represents in modern-day what Senna represented when he went to Lotus circa 1985. Senna had proven something at that point, but not a lot IMO. Senna came from privilidge, but still he came from Brasil. Many comparisons between Brasil and Mexico can be made this day, and I see Perez as possibly being on the cusp of doing something great whilst at Mclaren and in doing so be a pillar for his country.
     
  16. TifosiUSA

    TifosiUSA F1 Veteran

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    #16 TifosiUSA, Nov 15, 2012
    Fittipaldi was around and winning races/titles long before Senna...but anyway...

    I suppose Perez could be important to Mexico but he would have to rack up wins before people cared. No one in Spain cared about F1 until Alonso started winning. He will have the opportunity to win races at McLaren unless he completely sucks.

    I don't think Perez is WDC material and I don't think he'll be a long-term McLaren driver. I might be wrong, but whatever.
     
  17. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    #17 Ferraripilot, Nov 15, 2012
    I do believe pre-2000 Michael was the finest example of F1 driving the world has ever seen. What I still cannot wrap my head around is how Ayrton could not cope with FW16 like Damon Hill managed. While it loathes me to say this, I believe Ayrton was slipping in his ability the same way Schumacher slipped with his comebacks with W01 and W02. Ayrton, like Schumacher, could win in a wheelbarrow at their peaks, and both of them had.
     
  18. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    #18 Ferraripilot, Nov 15, 2012

    you're spot on. As I said, he is at the cusp of being able to do something special, and are we about to witness his genesis?
     
  19. TifosiUSA

    TifosiUSA F1 Veteran

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    #19 TifosiUSA, Nov 15, 2012
    Personally I believe 2000 was Michael's best season. Just amazing driving with ridiculous pressure. Senna never had the pressure of "no Ferrari title for 21 years" hanging over him, IMO.

    I also agree that by 1994, it was clear that a new sheriff was in town and Senna was rattled a bit by Schumacher.
     
  20. TifosiUSA

    TifosiUSA F1 Veteran

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    #20 TifosiUSA, Nov 15, 2012
    I don't think so but I could easily be wrong. The new cars are going to shake things up and we will have to see which driver adapts best. Perez has proven to be an excellent race driver but his qualifying needs work and though he is a good tire manager, those skills will be less important as the teams figure out these tires more and more (as they already have) or Pirelli changes the composition/the regs change (likely).
     
  21. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #21 Fast_ian, Nov 15, 2012
    That's true, but I think this strikes to the heart of what FPiloto is getting at - Emmo was certainly popular in Brazil and fostered much interest. But, Ayrton transcended that - He united an entire nation etc. I don't think Emmo came close (Any (old! ;)) Brazilians want to comment? - I may be way off base here.)

    No one CLOSE IMO! Sorry. Sure, Fred, Sebby-V & McHam are damn good, and *may* get there one day, but not yet. Not even close.

    Did you ever see him drive?

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  22. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    #22 Ferraripilot, Nov 15, 2012

    I thought Prost was a better 'racing' driver. More fastest laps etc.
     
  23. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    #23 Ferraripilot, Nov 15, 2012
    Exactly. And when was the last time Mexico had such a world class driver who is becoming so well-known world-wide? crickets
     
  24. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #24 Fast_ian, Nov 15, 2012
    The Rodriquez brothers......

    But, we've gotta accept that at least for now, Chicarito is the man down there - Nothing beats out soccer and Man Utd.

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  25. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #25 Fast_ian, Nov 15, 2012
    I think this one's limited to the current guys. ;)

    But, for sure, Le Prof was damn good. Just not Ayrton...... Did you ever see him drive?

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
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