prince wrote: ↑21 Jan 2021, 09:55
Just_a_fan wrote: ↑21 Jan 2021, 00:23
Kingshark wrote: ↑20 Jan 2021, 21:52
If the 2022 regulations changes (budget cap and windtunnel hours) achieve what they are intended to (close the field up as much as possible), fans will look back and Hamilton and Vettel’s world titles with an asterisk beside them.
Kind of like how Pele’s “1000 goals” is now a running joke in the football fan community, because he scored so many of those goals in friendlies.
You mean just like fans do with Schumacher's titles? You know, best car, bespoke tyres, unlimited testing, tame team mate, debatable tactics, etc.?
Oh, that can't be right, can it?
You can add Lewis Hamilton's 7 too in that list.
Greatest cars and with a wingman.
Which is the point being made. For many, the titles of many (all?) of the greats can be dismissed for similar reasons.
Which means that the discussion is really "which driver do I like / dislike" and thus a simple fan boy to-and-fro with no absolute objective answer.
There is an argument for saying that the best drivers back in the 50s were the best ever. They generally raced everything - single seaters, sports cars, tin tops. Look at Fangio's career race record and see a litany of wins and podia with hardly any non-podium finishes across the range of races.
It's the problem with the simple-minded media-favoured approach of "most means best". Schumacher had most wins and poles
ergo Schumacher is best. Now Hamilton has most poles and wins
ergo Hamilton is best.
Any true fan of the sport knows that it isn't that simple. It does show remarkable consistency and focus, yes, and those are champion qualities, but it isn't the whole story. What marks out the top drivers is particular results in less than favourable situations. Not for nothing is wet weather performance generally held in high regard, for example.
It's a fun discussion but ultimately will never give an objective outcome.
If you are more fortunate than others, build a larger table not a taller fence.