Racing Legends
The men who have achieved greatness in F1 have done so at lightning speeds and in cars that are so unbelievably powerful. In controlling such mechanical beasts, these same drivers have stunned the world with their skills, dominating a sport that often appears anything but willing to be tamed.
Ayrton Senna
He streaked through the sport like a comet, an other-worldly superstar whose brilliance as a driver was matched by a dazzling intellect and coruscating charisma that illuminated Formula One racing as never before. No one tried harder or pushed himself further, nor did anyone shed so much light on the extremes to which only the greatest drivers go. Intensely introspective and passionate in the extreme, Ayrton Senna endlessly sought to extend his limits, to go faster than himself, a quest that ultimately made him a martyr but did not diminish his mystique.
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Juan Manuel Fangio
Many consider him to be the greatest driver of all time. In seven full Formula One seasons (he missed one recovering from a nearly fatal injury) he was World Champion five times (with four different teams) and runner-up twice. In his 51 championship Grands Prix he started from the front row 48 times (including 29 pole positions) and set 23 fastest race laps en route to 35 podium finishes, 24 of them victories. His superlative track record was achieved by some of the greatest displays of skill and daring ever seen. Fangio did it all with style, grace, nobility and a sense of honour never seen before or since.
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Niki Lauda
He bought his way into Formula One racing and very nearly paid for it with his life. Given up for dead after an appalling accident he recovered by what the medical profession called sheer force of will. His astonishingly quick return to the cockpit was called the most courageous comeback in sporting history. After winning two championships he got bored and left the sport, only to return again and win another. During his remarkable career he was called both a hero and a villain. The battle-scarred champion who defied both the odds and convention remains a living legend.
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James Hunt
After spending his youngster years in several junior racing categories and progressing trough formula 3, he caught the eye of Hesketh Racing team with whom he started a six-year career at the Formula One. Hunt gave them their famous only win in 1975 at the Dutch GP before moving to McLaren in '76.He became a World Champion on his first year with McLaren, beating a heavily injured Niki Lauda by one point in Suzuka. He gave the race of his life in the worst possible weather conditions and overcame a tyre problem to get to the third place and win enough points to get his title, while the Austrian decided to abandon the race because it was not safe.
Hunt had more champagne than he had fuel. Nicknamed 'Hunt the Shunt', he became known as a hedonistic yet charming rogue, regarded as one of the most naturally gifted and intelligent drivers
in F1 history, alongside being a glamorous playboy.
Alain Prost
His place in Formula One history as one of the sport's greatest drivers is secure, though a career full of conflict and controversy detracted somewhat from his considerable achievements. He won four championships but also left teams acrimoniously on four occasions. He made winning races - 51 times - look easy but was less successful at the politics in which he was invariably embroiled. His bitter feud with Ayrton Senna brought out the best and worst in them both. And yet among the champions only Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio won more crowns than Alain Prost.
After confirming his retirement from racing, Prost was signed by Renault to participate in a consultancy and promotional role for their sporting activities. He had also signed as a commentator for TF1, the French television coverage of Formula One.
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