Mario Andretti, the mere mention of his name conjures up an image of speed just as the proverbial sarcasm "Who do you think you are Mario Andretti ?" has been heard from police officers to back seat drivers. The Microsoft Works spell checker knows who he is. Even people with only a hazy awareness of the sport of motor racing recognize Andretti as the very essence of the professional race car driver. A driver who has won on everything with four wheels.


Alberto Ascari enjoyed racing at the front especially while crossing the finish line. In 1952 he won every Grand Prix race that he entered and claimed his first World Championship. In 1953 he had a second title, during his career he was only driver who could compete with Fangio on the same level until Stirling Moss. Ascari was loved by the Italian fans and by many of his rivals, including his dear friend and mentor "Gigi" Villoresi.

Black Jack he was called for his often dour expressions. Jack Brabham won three World Championships, two for Cooper where he led the push to rear-engined cars, and the last driving a car of his own manufacture. In has last season he lost a spectacular Monaco Grand Prix to Jochen Rindt but the fact that he was competitive even at the age of 43 in a young man's sport only adds to his legacy.

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Rudolf Caracciola, known as "Ringmeister", for his mastery of Nurburgring. He was also especially adept when the conditions turned to rain. His career spanned four decades and many of his old racing trophies are still on display at the Indianapolis Speedway.
He raced continuously from 1923 (excluding World War 2) until his death in 1959.








Colin Chapman was the acknowledged master among F1 constructors at getting the most number victories out of the least amount of aluminum, steel, plastic and carbon-fibre.

If his cars did not always inspire his drivers with confidence, they did know that when he got it right they could be unbeatable. As a result he ranks second only to Ferrari in the pantheon of great race car builders.









Jimmy Clark and the Lotus of Colin Chapman were an unbeatable pair. In fact if he didn't breakdown you would most likely find him in the winners circle. He took Indianapolis by storm and won on his third attempt. Considered the most naturally talented driver of all time his career was cut short when he was killed in a Formula 2 race at Hockenheim.

Juan-Manuel Fangio "The Master" won more World Championships than any man. He was as close to perfection as any mortal could be. Once passing rivals Collins and Hawthorne by "straightening out" a series of curves at full speed.
Fangio was the original superstar of F1 in the modern era. He was the high-water-mark against which every other F1 driver would be measured, past, present, and future. He was World Champion in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, and 1957.





Enzo Ferrari the founder of the company that bears his name died in 1988 at the age of 90 but his legend lives on. Other marquees have their fans yet only one team has what could be called disciples.

A team that had not won a World Championship for eighteen years until Michael Schumacher came along yet always managed to exert a mystical hold on the hearts of a nation. This is a nation without boundaries, their citizens are known as the Tifosi, their flag the Prancing Horse.








The first of the famous trio of great Brazilian drivers Emerson Fittipaldi became the youngest World Champion at the age of 25 driving for Lotus. Later winning another title for McLaren before moving to his own team, Copersucar. This underfunded team led to personal bankruptcy and eventual retirement from Formula One. His second career as an Indianapolis winner returned the lustre to his reputation.
The way in which Fittipaldi exited Formula 1 belies the value and brilliance of a driver.





Source: ddavid.com



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