F1 Fanatic

For some reason even I can’t quite put my finger on, I’m tempted to say Piquet, but someone with 3 titles and 25 odd wins couldn’t possibly be the worst out of the 31 drivers who have become champion.

Probably the worst WDC is Jacques Villeneuve, because he made a right hash of it with the car that was the class of the field. Disregarding what would happen later, Schumacher was a point ahead going into Jerez. But then again, he was 39 points ahead of Frentzen, so I think the criticiscm of him is a bit harsh

Denny Hulme, Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg and Damon Hill.

This data from the Champion of Champions series we did last year may be useful for this discussion:

Champion of Champions in stats

Jacques Villeneuve. Nuff said.

@Kingshark Eeps. Don’t know how I double posted! Thanks for the heads-up, I’ll delete one.

He didn’t even trouble Damon Hill much in 1996. Damon in my view is a worthy world champion, as he showed when he won in a Jordan, and almost in an Arrows (if memory serves) but JV… hmmph.

It doesn’t help that he comes across to me as cocky and arrogant. Not to mention how it seems winning that world title has hyperinflated his self-perception.

I always call him Jacques V or JV. It feels like sacrilege to call him a Villeneuve (in Gilles’ view).

I always remember how the BMW engineers were stunned that based on the data they were seeing, Heidfeld magically became 6 tenths quicker (compared to their theoretical baselines, I guess) when Kubica came in – ie Heidfeld was driving 6 tenths slower on purpose because he knew he didn’t have to drive full-bore to outdo JV.

Very interesting post here! Not to sure i like to debate the worth of a champion based on drives 2 to 3 seasons after the event, It shows there a very talented driver but most of them aka Button 2011 and Hill Hungry 1997 they weren’t under any pressure to do anything in the races as the championship was well out of there reach

So drivers we’ve mentioned so far.

Jacques Villenuve – Did well in 96+97 when he had far and away the best car but did next to nothing after that, Did well in the states too but certainly would be in the top 5 for worst driver to win the championship considering 1997 how he almost lost it to Schumacher driving a dog of a car and his performances afterwards never portrayed that as a “champion of drivers”

Damon Hill – His 94 challenge was better than his 96 win in my option. Several notable drives before and after mean i rate him higher than JV but again not a great champ but did much more in less time than other drivers. Got Respect

Hawthorn + Surtese – Both won titles in season like the current one where several teams were up there fighting and they came out on top during very thought era’s. Again much respect here and neither of these would be votes worst by me!

Phil Hill – Hmm hate to judge a driver i saw so little of but he has never impressed me at all. Regularly b eaten by all his team mates, Barley beat Von trips following his fatal crash. He would probably be my No1 pick for worst champion but would do with a heavy heart after how he won it.

Keke Rosberg – Couldn’t support any argument for this guy being the worst of anything. Disgusting him being the worst champion is even mentioned here! Keke worked wonders with that Williams from 1982+83 was i the same league of Villenuve’s ferrari drives.

Lewis Hamilton – 2008 was Massa’s season, Using his spins at Silverstone as a argument is ridiculous! His car was not set up for a totally wet race and Raikkonen also had a horror race in the same machine. Hamilton has shown plenty over his 100 races to support him as a champion but again in the same league as Damon Hill.