11. Alberto Ascari
13.7.1918 to 26.5.1955
Italy
Grands prix: 32
Wins: 13
World Championships: 2 (1952, 53)
The very name conjures the great era of Italian dominance of Formula One. Ascari forged a partnership with Enzo Ferrari, which they exploited in exhilarating style as he won two world titles. Ascari was the darling of Italy, the son of Antonio, a famous pre-Second World War racer, and rated by some as better than the great Juan Manuel Fangio. But Ascari’s career ended bizarrely: at the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix, he crashed at the waterfront chicane and careered into the harbour; a week later, he was killed testing a Ferrari at Monza. He died on the same day of the same month as his father.
12. Graham Hill
17.2.1929 to 29.11.1975
Great Britain
Grands prix: 176
Wins: 14
World Championships: 2 (1962, 68)
No one who lived through the 1960s could escape Hill, with his clipped English accent and fighter pilot’s moustache. But the outwardly jokey Hill, Damon’s father, was ruthless in the business of Formula One, underlined by five victories in Monaco.
Suffered serious leg injuries at the age of 40 at the 1969 United States GP, which effectively finished his career although he drove on until 1974. Killed when the light plane he was piloting crashed on a golf course at Arkley, just north of London.
13. Kimi Raikkonen
17.10.1979
Finland
Grands prix: 140
Wins: 17
World Championships: 1 (2007)
It would be fair to say that few know what goes on in Raikkonen’s head, least of all Raikkonen. But the unsmiling mask hides an intelligent and daring driver of astonishing talent and his championship victory was just reward for his doggedness. But his sudden loss of form since is a mystery. Perhaps Raikkonen is bored with Formula One but we hope he makes a substantial comeback.
14. Niki Lauda
22.2.1949
Austria
Grands prix: 171
Wins: 25
World Championships: 3 (1975, 77, 84)
Came back from horrific burns in a crash at Germany’s frightening Nürburgring circuit to win the 1977 championship and establish himself as one of Formula One’s most extraordinary personalities. Astonishingly, had to borrow £35,000 to buy himself a Formula One seat to get started, but made his fortune and founded his own airline in retirement.
15. Nelson Piquet
17.8.1952
Brazil
Grands prix: 204
Wins: 23
World Championships: 3 (1981, 83, 87)
Regarded as the ultimate professional, combining intelligence with technical know-how and supreme driving ability that reached a peak at the Bernie Ecclestone-owned Brabham team. Later switched to Williams and a great rivalry with Nigel Mansell, his teammate, where he still took third title before heading off to Lotus and Benetton.
16. James Hunt
29.8.1947 to 15.6.1993
Great Britain
Grands prix: 92
Wins: 10
World Championships: 1 (1976)
Flamboyant, intelligent and flawed, Hunt was the ultimate playboy driver who turned into a consummate television pundit after retirement. His world title was one of the most exciting in history and underlined his understated bravery and determination. Will forever be a favourite for millions of Formula One fans.
17. Jochen Rindt
18.4.1942 to 5.9.1970
Austria
Grands prix: 60
Wins: 6
World Championships: 1 (1970, awarded posthumously)
Managed by Bernie Ecclestone, now F1’s supremo, Rindt was a slow starter in F1. But after joining Lotus in 1969, he blossomed and a year later was amassing points as well as five victories. Unfortunately, Rindt crashed after a mechanical failure in practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza and the Austrian became Formula One’s only posthumous world champion.
18. Gilles Villeneuve
18.1.1950 to 8.5.1982
Canada
Grands prix: 67
Wins: 6
World Championships: none
No one who saw him drive could forget his utterly fearless and flamboyant style. Even now, he is the darling of the cognescenti and a Formula One legend although he was never champion. But it was a career cut cruelly short when Villeneuve crashed attempting to match the lap times of Didier Pironi, his Ferrari team-mate, preparing for the Dutch Grand Prix.
19. Sir Jack Brabham
2.4.1926
Australia
Grands prix: 126
Wins: 14
World Championships: 3 (1959, 60, 66)
The only man to win a World Championship in his own car, which is some achievement, especially because he was aged 40 at the time. On arrival in Britain, lucked into the all-conquering, rear-engined Cooper, which helped him sweep up two championships. Brabham was tough and practical, qualities that propelled him to a third title.
20. Lewis Hamilton
7.1.1985
Great Britain
Grands prix: 35
Wins: 9
World Championships: 1 (2008)
Youngest world champion who exploded into F1 - but is he really that good? In the best car of the past two years yet makes too many mistakes and is competing in, arguably, a Formula One field short of star talent. No arguing, though, with his exciting style, but the jury is out on whether he will attain the status of a legend.
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