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Top 3 Formula 1 Drivers of the 21st Century

NEWS STORY
21/03/2019

Throughout history, there were numerous Formula 1 drivers known all over the world.

Even people far from loving this sport know names of the best Formula 1 drivers. In this article, we will mention drivers of Formula 1 cars who we think to be the greatest in the 21st century. Great names of the 1990s and past times can't be forgotten, but we'll possibly devote another text to them.

But first, a remark for procrastinating students: if you want to solve your writing troubles easily, visit this page - https://coolessay.net/cheap_essays. There is a guide you could use, and the whole website at your service as well, so think about it.

Now, if you decided to go on with procrastination (or maybe you solved the problem and now do what you want), let's see who are our top 3 best Formula 1 drivers.

3. Sebastian Vettel

21st-century achievements: 4-time World Champion (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), 43 wins, 86 podiums

Teams: BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari

Some people might think that the top 3 best formula 1 drivers can interchange their places in this list randomly and everything depends on the writer's personal preferences and perception of the word "best". Partially, they are right: for someone, the best Formula 1 drivers can be the fastest in equal conditions with others piloting the unfamiliar car. Other people think that greatest Formula 1 drivers always get maximum points possible (depending on the car's power). Additionally, fans have different preferences when choosing between speed and calculation: Hunt or Lauda, Senna or Prost, Hamilton or Alonso, etc.

Still, we couldn't place Sebastian Vettel on the 1st place. He is, without a doubt, among the most talented Formula 1 drivers. He got numerous victories and won four championship titles in a row not by accident. He represents German Formula 1 drivers, but has differences: he is fast but not that naturally talented as some of his competitors, and at the same time Vettel is not a racing "calculator". Maybe it is the reason why Seb is always somewhere nearby the greatest Formula 1 drivers and among the fastest ones but never recognized as the extra racer by the audience.

Why? Maybe, the point is in cars by generous engineer Adrian Newey. Maybe, the absence of big achievements when staying among Ferrari Formula 1 drivers is the reason. Still, Seb has time yet: he is a very smart man who knows how to become stronger.

2. Fernando Alonso

21st-century achievements: 2-time World Champion (2005, 2006), 32 victories, 97 podiums.

Teams: Minardi, Renault, Ferrari, McLaren

Alonso placed among top-3 list of Formula 1 drivers won't wonder even most severe haters of this Spanish racer saying he relies on calculations too much. The fact that he overcame Vettel with "just" two World championship titles tells a lot.

Possibly, Fernando is the most unlucky of Formula 1 drivers of our times. He became the 2-time world champion relatively easy, but then betted on a wrong horse again and again and piloted cars which weren't fast enough for him. Alonso went on winning races periodically and dominating his competitors, but never became the 3-time champion. Fernando retired from F1 after the 2018 season ended.

But even during seasons when other Formula 1 drivers celebrated their victories, journalists and colleagues recognized Fernando as the best racer multiple times. This illustrates the greatness of his talent the most.

1. Michael Schumacher

21st-century Achievements: 4-time World Champion (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004), 47 victories, 72 podiums

Teams: Benetton, Ferrari, Mercedes

Before Ferrari and Michael started gaining their multiple victories, years of sufferings and failures passed. Scuderia reached its peak on the edge of centuries only because of patience and ability to build a team.

When this happened and the car became the best in the peloton, Schumacher didn't stop his self- development. Yes, he frequently didn't have to enter those "wheel-to-wheel" fights and wonder opponents with risky maneuvers, but features of those races and Michael's style created an amazing phenomenon: he learned to win Grand-Prix with lesser efforts possible. Schumacher could become the winner because of his unique acceleration, the ability to drive in the qualification mode slightly before or after the pit stop. Not everyone liked that, but results proved Schumacher's approach was effective. When someone tried to play in his rules, they gained expected outcomes: during the French Grand-Prix in 2004, Alonso and Renault divided their race into 4 cuts they passed with crazy speeds, but Schumacher and Ferrari did five stints and became the winners again.

Schumacher was psychologically durable and resisted the pressure of most important races successfully, amazed people with his cold blood in critical episodes. And of course, Michael never was too shy to remind the rest of peloton who the real auto sports king is. He got his last victory so cool that haters had to keep silence: in tough weather conditions, Schumacher took a wise decision on wheels and outplayed leading Renault guys beautifully on the track.

Outside racing tracks, Michael did the other job which was not always visible but important: he built the team around himself, created a family atmosphere inside the garage, worked together with mechanics till night and worked out on endless tests. He wasn't the first Formula 1 driver working like that, but he definitely became the best racer building the basement of future racing victories. It was the quality making him an example for many young sportsmen.

Haters frequently blamed him for a merciless usage of his partners, but it was rather a plus than a minus if you look at the results achieved. Rubens Barrichello was thought to be a very fast partner but never made anyone doubt the Schumacher's undisputed leadership and made great contributions to successes thanks to his technical knowledge and the skill of tuning the car.

Schumacher could get some "additional" titles for sure but the Scuderia's president Luca di Montezemolo decided to replace him with Kimi Raikkonen. The early retirement at the moment when races didn't bore Michael yet led to his comeback to the sports, this time as one of the Mercedes Formula 1 drivers. This moment in the career of the German driver is difficult to call it failed: Schumacher contributed to building the team which later started dominating Formula 1 in the style which is much likely to Ferrari's.

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