OP
OP
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
Motorsports Thread
- Thread starter Reynard
- Start date
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OP
OP
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
Other than Leo Mansell and Josh Hill (much later in the timeline), the others were all sponsored by Camel in the late 1980s, and I have assorted press material in my collection. 
figbat
Slippery scientist
- Location
- South Oxfordshire, UK
Christian Fittipaldi, Michael Andretti, Kevin Magnussen, and don't forget Jolyon Palmer!
OP
OP
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
Joylon is a far, far better commentator than his father - that's got to count for something...
I genuinely enjoy listening to him on Radio 5's F1 coverage.
Yes, he does really seem to have found post F1 contentment as a commentator, and I agree - he's very good at it. Good insight and no bias.Joylon is a far, far better commentator than his father - that's got to count for something...
OP
OP
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
And the perfect foil for Jack Nicholls latter-day Murray Walker-isms...
Listening to those two talking about cheese and chess at Spa last year was hilarious... JP was a junior chess champion apparently.
I read an interview recently where JP talked about his F1 career and the fact that he just wasn't enjoying driving in F1. When he lost his seat, in many ways I think he saw it as a bit of a blessing.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
Is Mazepin any worse that these guys?
Could every billionaire bankroll their son to an F1 seat if given the best equipment for 15 years in the junior formulas? I genuinely don’t have any idea how hard it is for an average driver to learn to be good.
There has to be some natural talent.
D
Deleted member 26715
Guest
Probably being very unpatriotic but I think both Hill & Button became World champions as they were in the right car at the right time, both very good drivers, but not the elite rung.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
They got lucky for sure, but similarly I dont think Vettel would have been a 4 times champion without being lucky too.
They all have one thing in common, they were better than their teammate.
matticus
Guru
I'm a big fan of both, but I don't rank them *quite* up with Vettel/Kimi etc. Certainly good enough to give the best guys a fright.
I don't think you can accurately compare DamonH or JacqueV with their fathers because of the difference in era; the competition has (broadly) gotten better and deeper over time.
So overall there are plenty of good "Sons of champions" around. Genetics is always the strongest thing out there. The best chance for an oligarch's son to win a Grand Prix is if the Oligarch was a proven winner :P
BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
British drivers are disproportianately represented in F1, particularly with respect to World Champions. Whether this is due to our culture, or the fact that most teams, regardless of declared nationality, are based in the UK is not clear. Finland and Brazil are also remarkably successful, with Germany coming to the top table since the success of Michael Schumacher.
| Country | Number of different F1 World Champions |
| UK | 10 |
| Brazil | 3 |
| Finland | 3 |
| Germany | 3 |
| Italy | 2 |
| Australia | 2 |
| USA | 2 |
| Austria | 2 |
| Argentina | 1 |
| New Zealand | 1 |
| South Africa | 1 |
| France | 1 |
| Canada | 1 |
Spain | 1 |
| Netherlands | 1 |
However what is also clear is that British drivers are much, much more likely to be one-championship wonders:
| Country | Number of one-time F1 World Champions: |
| UK | 6 |
| USA | 2 |
| Finland | 2 |
| Italy | 1 |
| New Zealand | 1 |
| Austria | 1 |
| South Africa | 1 |
| Australia | 1 |
| Canada | 1 |
| Germany | 1 |
| Netherlands | 1 |
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matticus
Guru
That's harsh - ALL (100%) of america's (and Italy's) winners are "one-championship wonders"!
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
I don't buy that. 60% of UK champions are "1-champ wonders". 100% of US, 66% of Finland, 50% of Italy. The only ones with a lower proportion are Germany and Brazil.
BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
Driver Nationality Times Won
Mike Hawthorn UK 1
Graham Hill UK 2
Jim Clark UK 2
John Surtees UK 1
Jackie Stewart UK 3
James Hunt UK 1
Nigel Mansell UK 1
Damon Hill UK 1
Lewis Hamilton UK 7
Jenson Button UK 1
One time winners in bold.
