A lot of thought and work has gone into this list, and putting it into the order it is, was hard. No doubt some of you will disagree, but this list is spot on (at least in my opinion) and gives all the drivers in it their due credit.
THE LIST
10. Nico Rosberg
Wins: 3
Podiums: 11
Poles: 4
Fastest Laps: 4
The son of former world champion Keke Rosberg, Nico debuted for Williams in 2006 and soon gained a reputation of a future world champion. While success was hard to come by at Williams, his move to Mercedes gained him 3 wins, and in a newly competitive Merceds car in 2013 he showed his speed, matching and beating new team mate Lewis Hamilton regularly. 2014 could well be the season Rosberg, and Mercedes live up to the promise.
9. Rubens Barrichello
Titles: 0
Podiums: 68
Poles: 14
Fastest Laps: 17
The lovable Brazilian holds an F1 record for the most Grand Prix's at 326 (322 starts). He was most prominently Michael Schumacher's team mate at Ferrari during the dominant years, even finishing runner-up to him. 2009 saw him at Brawn reviving his career with Jenson Button before retiring in 2011.
8. Robert Kubica
Titles: 0Wins: 1
Podiums: 12
Poles: 1
Fastest Laps:1
A hard choice. Whether to put Kubica above or below Rubens Barrichello, but one made on talent. Kubica had a staggering amount of talent and promise, arguably even more than Sebastian Vettel, however a life threatening accident caused Kubica to cut his F1 career short, and there is no doubt in anyones mind that the super-quick polish driver would have gone on one day to become world champion. Cut down in his prime.
7. Felipe Massa
Wins: 11
Podiums: 36
Poles: 15
Fastest Laps: 14
Another lovable Brazilian, upon his first F1 season, Massa developed a reputation for being fast and erratic (Grosjean anyone?). He would go on to drive with Ferrari and challenge for the world championship in 2008, losing out to Lewis Hamilton at the last corner, in an F1 moment that will live forever. At the 2009 Hungarian GP Massa suffered a career and life threatening injury, and would not return until 2010. Massa partnered 3 of the greatest F1 drivers of them all; Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso; and Kimi Raikkonen. A very capable deputy indeed.
6. Jenson Button
Titles: 1Wins: 14
Podiums: 49
Poles: 8
Fastest Laps: 8
The ever smiling Brit who debuted in 2000, many thought Buttons first win would never come, but it did; at the Hungaroring in 2006. 2009 was without doubt Buttons greatest year, as from the ashes of Honda, Brawn F1 took advantage of the technological changes thrust upon F1 and scored Jenson his first and so far only world title, despite a struggling car in the second half of the season. Known for his smooth and silky styles, Button notably excels in changing conditions. Button has just completed 2013 in an extremely poor McLaren car, will we ever see the Button of old again?
5. Mark Webber
Titles: 0Wins: 9
Podiums: 42
Poles: 13
Fastest Laps: 19
Not bad for a number 2 driver. Dogged by perennial bad luck, the man who should have won the 2010 world championship had he not crashed out in the Korean GP (greatest driver to never win the world title? Maybe not, but the debate is open), his farewell in Brazil shows how great Mr Webber is; called "the darling of the F1 paddock by Eddie Jordan", receiving a touching farewell pre-race by his Red Bull mechanics, fighting his way through the field with some excellent overtakes and finishing second, all before doing his cool down lap without a helmet in true Mark Webber style. Such a farewell had not been seen since Schumcaher left in 2006, and even then, there was not as rapturous celebrations. His team mate Sebastian Vettel (graciously after the Multi-21 events) and Red Bull celebrated with him after the race, allowing Mark to be interviewed first and bringing an Aussie flag onto the podium, before a team celebration in his honour atop the podium. Part of one of the most successful team partnerships ever, his no nonsense style and opinions will be missed, but who will ever forget his pass on his long time friend Fernando Alonso at Eau Rouge?
4. Lewis Hamilton
Titles: 1Wins: 22
Podiums: 54
Poles: 31
Fastest Laps: 13
The talented Brit has speed that on its day, can beat anyone. Debuting in 2007 and missing out on the title by 1 point. Hamilton would redeem himself a year later, winning the title at the last corner of the final race. Since then he has never been able to find that magic, and left his boyhood team McLaren for Mercedes at the end of 2012, in what turned out to be an inspired move; McLaren had a poor 2013 whilst Mercedes were the best of the rest behind Red Bull.
3. Kimi Raikkonen
Titles: 1
Wins: 20
Podiums: 77
Poles: 16
Fastest Laps: 39
Simply put: on his day, the fastest driver in F1. In the right mood, no one can stop Kimi Raikkonen. The 2007 world champion (by 1 point) has had an illustrious career, from Sauber to McLaren (where he scored an emotional first win), to Ferrari for his world title, and then to Lotus-Renault after a sabbatical 2 years from the sport pursuing other ventures. Famous for his no nonsense style off the track, Raikkonen will always speak his mind, and is the highest earning F1 driver.
2. Fernando Alonso
Titles: 2Wins: 32
Podiums: 95
Poles: 22
Fastest Laps: 21
Up until the end of 2013, many regarded him as greater than Sebastian Vettel, and many still do. However, you cannot deny Fernando Alonso's speed. Out performing his awful Ferrari car for years and still managing to finish runner-up in 2012 and 2013 (he should have probably won the 2012 title). Despite the unquestionable determination and pure speed, Alonso is far from perfect - witness an explosive season on and off the track at McLaren in 2007. 2014 will see him line up along side Raikkonen in one of the sports greatest ever teams, will we see Ferrari return to the too once more?
NUMBER ONE IS......
1. Sebastian Vettel
Titles: 4
Wins: 39
Podiums: 62
Poles: 45
Fastest Laps: 22
World Champion for four years running (the youngest to do that, and the youngest world champion ever!), who can stop Sebastian Vettel? His pace was clear even in his first full season; winning for Torro Rosso in the wet at the Italian GP, Vettel would go on to greatness and has now possibly fully surpassed the man at number 2 on this list. Supremely talented and given the best car, Vettel has destroyed all in his path on his way to greatness. However, it has not been without controversy, after the Multi-21 scandal Vettel was booed for most of the remaining 2013 season and is constantly criticised by pundits and fans alike for his unsportmanship behaviour and lack of respect during and occasionally after the scandal. Despite this, Vettel has dominated and silenced his critics with devastating performces. He also went some way to repairing the damage done by Multi-21, allowing his departing team mate, and fierce Multi-21 victim, Mark Webber to take the plaudits at the Australians F1 farewell. Vettel will head into the unknown that is 2014, confident of retaining his title, but wary that the changes may equal out the field. Has this year determined his true greatness? Will next year determine his true legacy? Or will we need to see him win with another team?
