Greatest Drivers of All Time #1: Ayrton Senna
In a series I am doing on the blog, I take a look at the greatest fifteen drivers in the history of motorsports, with some statistics and reasons as to why I selected them. Here are the previous drivers on the list:
#15 Jim Clark
#14 Dario Franchitti
#13 Sir Jackie Stewart
#12 Jimmie Johnson
#11 Michael Schumacher
#10 Al Unser Jr.
#9 Dale Earnhardt
#8 Juan Manuel Fangio
#7 Al Unser
#6 Alain Prost
#5 Rick Mears
#4 Richard Petty
#3 Mario Andretti
#2 AJ Foyt
Ayrton Senna
Born: March 21, 1960 Brazil
Died: May 1, 1994
Race starts: 161
Wins: 41
Poles: 65
F1 Titles: 3
What is there to say about Ayrton Senna and the legacy he has left behind? Without question the greatest drivers for so many reasons. On the track, he was fearless, aggressive, and ungodly quick. Off the track, he was a caring, loving individual who was always looking out for his fellow drivers. He also donated vast amounts of money to help impovershed people back in his home country of Brazil. It is no surprise that every driver growing up looks up to him and tries to emulate him on and off the track. The day we lost Ayrton Senna goes down as one of the darkest in racing’s history. But ledgends never die, and so Ayrton lives on for an eternity.
Happy birthday Ayrton.
Thanks for following along with the whole series. *Let me know what you think or any disagreements you have with my list as to the order or who was omitted*
-Matthew Hickey @Indycar_MN
Interesting list, but my criterion for greatest ever are those that raced the greatest variety of cars in real races (as opposed to tarted up stadiums), against real drivers, in real cars, on real race tracks and, oh by the way, won. Senna/Prost–great in F1, Petty/Earnhardt great in NASCAR, etc. By my criterion, and in no order, the greatest drivers of all time are Foyt, Mario, Parnelli Jones (not even on your list), Dan Gurney (ditto), Stirling Moss (ditto), and Jim Clark. Clark at No. 15?!! Behind Dario?!!