Commonly known for being the first driver to win five Formula World Championship titles, little realise that Juan Manuel Fangio was 40 years-old when he achieved his first in 1951 with Alfa Romeo. His other four titles were with Maserati and Daimler Benz in 1954, again with Daimler in ’55, Ferrari in ’56 and again with Maserati in 1957.
The other little known fact is that during that period, there were only seven or eight Grand Prix races each year.
He still holds the highest winning percentage in Formula One – 46.15% – winning 24 of 53 Formula One races he entered.
Lewis Hamilton has now attained a similar record of five F1 titles, a remarkable feat by both him and Fangio. The comparisons will continue to take place, the debate over the greatest F1 driver ever.
It is a difficult comparison to make, not one this writer wants to get into. Rather it is better to respect each for what they achieved in their racing career.
Which brings us to Brendon Hartley.
I did ask my learned F1 mate how he would compare with the other eight F1 Kiwi drivers. His reply is that Hartley hasn’t won any races while other Kiwi drivers did!
I’m of the opinion that the difficulty of getting into Formula One today makes you a champion. Again can we really compare?
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