Jackie Stewart and Mario Andretti competed with each other in F1 for several years in the late sixties and early seventies.
But while Stewart was reeling off wins and titles for Ken Tyrrell, Andretti’s F1 campaign was part-time at first as he concentrated his efforts on racing in America.
Stewart turned down the chance to make his F1 debut alongside Jim Clark at Lotus, preferring instead to drive for BRM in 1965. Regular points finishes and a win in Monza helped Stewart to third in the championship, seven points behind team mate Graham Hill.
He started 1966 with a win in Monaco but much of the rest of the season was blighted by unreliability. The following year was even worse, but Stewart finished on the podium on the two occasions that his H16-engined car saw the chequered flag.
A switch to Matra in 1968 saw him finish runner-up that year before clinching his first championship in 1969.
It was at Watkins Glen in 1968 that Andretti made his debut – from pole position. He made occasional starts for the team for two seasons, then March in 1970. In 1971 he occasionally drove for Ferrari, winning on his first appearance for them at Kyalami.
Stewart, meanwhile, began building a team around him. Tyrrell switched from chassis buyer to full-blown constructor, and although this inevitably meant there was some teething trouble, Stewart won with the car in 1970. That set up a tilt at the title the following year, which he delivered, with six wins sealing his second crown.
Another might have followed in 1972 but he was sidelined by an ulcer, which temporarily kept him out of the cockpit. Emerson Fittipaldi seized the initiative but Stewart gave notice of his intentions by winning the final two races of the year. Sure enough, with five wins supported by consistent points finishes he was champion once again in 1973.
Stewart retired at the end of the season. Andretti didn’t start any F1 races that year and made just two in 1974 with the Parnelli team. Colin Chapman enticed him back to Lotus for 1976 and at the end of the year he scored his long overdue second Grand Prix win.
His title chances were blunted by unreliability in 1977 but he won four of the seven races he finished. With an improved 78 the following year he bagged the title – but Lotus then fell into sharp decline.
Andretti hung around for two more years driving the dreadfully uncompetitive 80 and 81. After a poor 1981 with Alfa Romeo he quit the sport, only to make a couple of appearances as a substitute for Williams and Ferrari in 1982.
Which of these drivers should go through to the next round of the Champion of Champions? Vote for which you think was best below and explain who you voted for and why in the comments.
| Jackie Stewart | Mario Andretti | |
| Titles | 1969, 1971, 1973 | 1978 |
| Second in title year/s | Jacky Ickx, Ronnie Peterson, Emerson Fittipaldi | Ronnie Peterson |
| Teams | BRM, Matra, Tyrrell | Lotus, March, Ferrari, Parnelli, Alfa Romeo, Williams |
| Notable team mates | Graham Hill, Johnny Servoz-Gavin, Francois Cevert | Jacky Ickx, Clay Regazzoni, Ronnie Peterson |
| Starts | 99 | 128 |
| Wins | 27 (27.27%) | 12 (9.38%) |
| Poles | 17 (17.17%) | 18 (14.06%) |
| Modern points per start1 | 11.20 | 5.24 |
| % car failures2 | 32.32 | 39.84 |
| Modern points per finish3 | 16.55 | 8.71 |
| Notes | Finished his first six races in the points and won his eighth start | Dabbled in F1 with different teams in late sixties/early seventies |
| Runner-up to Graham Hill in 1968 before winning three titles in five years | Six-year stint with Lotus yielded ’78 title | |
| Retired on the eve of what would have been his 100th start after team mate Cevert was killed | Made brief return from retirement in 1982 with Williams and Ferrari | |
| Bio | Jackie Stewart | Mario Andretti |
1 How many points they scored in their career, adjusted to the 2010 points system, divided by the number of races they started
2 The percentage of races in which they were not classified due to a mechanical failure
3 How many points they scored in their career, adjusted to the 2010 points system, divided by the number of starts in which they did not suffer a race-ending mechanical failure
Which was the better world champion driver?
- Mario Andretti (8%)
- Jackie Stewart (92%)
Total Voters: 556
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Read the F1 Fanatic Champion of Champions introduction for more information and remember to check back tomorrow for the next round.
Have you voted in the previous rounds of Champion of Champions yet? Find them all here:
Champion of Champions
- Ayrton Senna voted Champion of Champions by F1 Fanatic readers
- Champion of Champions in stats
- Champion of Champions Final: Senna vs Schumacher
- Ayrton Senna vs Juan Manuel Fangio
- Michael Schumacher vs Alain Prost
- Ayrton Senna vs Jack Brabham
- Juan Manuel Fangio vs Jackie Stewart
- Alain Prost vs Niki Lauda
- Jim Clark vs Michael Schumacher
- Jack Brabham vs Lewis Hamilton
Images © Ford.com (Stewart), Williams/Sutton (Andretti)
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
11th January 2011, 12:47
A lot of people point to Ayrton Senna’s 1993 European Grand Prix at Donington as the greatest drive ever. Probably because he passed so many cars on the opening lap. But as much as I am a Senna fan, and as much as it pains me to admit it, Donington 1993 was only the second-greatest drive ever. Sir John Young Stewart takes the prize for the best drive. His 1968 Germand Grand Prix was nothing short of a masterpiece – running in abysmal conditions that would have made the 2010 Korean Grand Prix look like a sunshower is bad enough, but to do it at the Nurburgring with a broken wrist and beat Graham Hill by over four minutes is just one of those things that is so awesome that you’d think it couldn’t possibly exist. And yet, it does. I think that race gets sadly overlooked in the face of Donington 1993, but it was anabsolutely stellar effort. One that I can’t see the combined might of Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton ever being able to replicate.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
11th January 2011, 12:48
Also, there’s no poll.
McLarenFanJamm (@mclarenfanjamm)
11th January 2011, 12:52
Yeah I noticed that too…
Macca (@macca)
11th January 2011, 12:53
It’s pretty hard not to notice.
BasCB (@bascb)
11th January 2011, 12:55
but it took me a while before I realized it was not just me missing it!
Stephen Jones (@aus_steve)
11th January 2011, 13:07
i thought i hadn’t logged in or something!
James_mc (@james_mc)
11th January 2011, 12:53
I’d been wondering about that myself… ;-)
HounslowBusGarage
11th January 2011, 13:28
I can see the poll. Just can’t vote, but apparently 17 people have managed it.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
11th January 2011, 13:32
Are you logged in?
Ding Dong
11th January 2011, 13:27
Prisoner Monkeys I agree
Mike the bike Schumacher (@mike-the-bike-schumacher)
11th January 2011, 13:11
Fangio 1957 Nurbrugring was the best ever drive. He couldn’t sleep after it for god sake!
Nixon (@nixon)
11th January 2011, 13:19
Fangio isn’t in this poll.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
11th January 2011, 20:44
It seems that a number of people here think Fangio is in every poll.
Adam Tate
12th January 2011, 0:23
Yes, his haters may still use the telegraph, but Fangio fans sure seem to be a modern lot.
This is the first poll to leave me conflicted. Yes in terms of F1 Sir Jackie obliterates Mario, but as a champion of champions (all forms of racing considered, Andretti takes the cake)
Stewart will get my vote as this is purely an F1 matter and in terms of F1 I say he is actually underrated. I think he was just as good a driver as Clark, Fangio, Senna, Prost, Schumi, etc. But when you take into account the impact he has had on the sport, the advancements in safety, going against the grain, and how he has remained a great ambassador of the sport make him in my mind, The Greatest.
kowalsky (@)
11th January 2011, 13:32
i would consider both at the same level. It’s one of those days when a master makes the masterpiece of his career.
About senna. He always said that the race at estoril was much more dificult than the one at donington. The lotus was much harder to drive with th brutal turbo power, plus the lack of tration control. But the one at donington, was the one most of the people saw. So that’s the most talked about.
olivier (@olivier)
11th January 2011, 14:16
A masterpiece indeed in foggy, windy and wet conditions in the ‘ring, taking the mantle of Nebelmeister from Rosemeyer.
PT (@pt)
12th January 2011, 18:23
But this is still a tough one. Sir Jackie Stewart was perhaps one of the greatest drivers ever on and off the track, but who can boast Mario Andretti’s versatility?
The American was a race winner on both sides of the Atlantic, won races in diverse machines as diverse from midgets to stock cars with USAC single seaters, IndyCars and Formula 1 cars along the way! He’s a legend, earning the wrath of his father and coming up on his own through the ranks to become a successful racing driver racing well into the early 90s in CART.
I know this is about Formula 1 alone and I wish I could vote for both! But since I can only vote for one, it has to be for Mario Gabriele Andretti. I take my hat off to the legend.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
11th January 2011, 22:05
On top of it all, he hated that circuit.
SVettel
12th January 2011, 7:16
What about Jimmy Clark at Spa, 1965?
Sladex (@sladex)
11th January 2011, 12:54
Jackie Stewart.
27.27% – incredible result.
Ned Flanders
11th January 2011, 13:30
Indeed, for anyone to survive 99 races in that era (never mind win a third of them) was an achievement in itself
DeadManWoking (@deadmanwoking)
11th January 2011, 14:09
27.27 is a lot closer to 25 than it is to 33.33 Ned 8)
Ned Flanders
11th January 2011, 15:01
Haha, don’t be pedantic :P
DeadManWoking (@deadmanwoking)
11th January 2011, 14:03
If that’s incredible then what are these??
Fangio – 47.06%
Ascari – 40.63%
Clark – 34.72%
Schumacher – 33.96%
SoerenKaae (@soerenkaae)
11th January 2011, 15:00
You have to compare it to how many races they did. Simply stating those numbers would make a guy who entered and won one race a 100%.
DeadManWoking (@deadmanwoking)
11th January 2011, 16:18
Juan Manuel Fangio
Starts 51
Wins 24 (47.06%)
Poles 29 (56.86%)
Alberto Ascari
Starts 32
Wins 13 (40.63%)
Poles 14 (43.75%
Jim Clark
Starts 72
Wins 25 (34.72%)
Poles 33 (45.83%)
Michael Schumacher
Starts 268
Wins 91 (33.96%)
Poles 68 (25.37%)
Spaulding (@spaulding)
11th January 2011, 17:09
ouch?
frood19 (@frood19)
12th January 2011, 12:19
of these schumacher’s is the most statistically astonishing because of the number of races he started. as with anything, the larger the dataset the more reliable the results. 33% of 268 is a hell of lot more reliable than 34& of 72.
however, the eras are not comparable. i think statistics will decide too much of this. the best stat is modern points per finish – this is what wins championships.
regarding this poll: it;s Stewart all the way. andretti is unlucky to be paired with JYS in this round. had he been paired with say Mansell, I think Mario would have it.
Antranik (@antranik)
11th January 2011, 12:54
Its missing the poll
Atticus (@atticus-2)
11th January 2011, 12:59
I’d go for Stewart although I wasn’t familiar with the early one-off drives of Andretti and see much more potential in him now. After all he beat Ronnie Peterson in 1978 who I also appreciate.
Anyway Stewart was also a class on his own. I’d mention the ‘greatest of eras’ line again in which he’s often mentioned while Andretti is not.
Fangio, Moss, Clark, Stewart, Lauda, Prost, Senna, Schumacher.
I wait for the poll and hope that four from these drivers (excluding obviously Moss) will make it to the semis.
kcrossle (@kcrossle)
11th January 2011, 17:57
I’ve read in a couple of places (that I cannot cite) that in 1978 there were the Dreaded Team Orders at JPS. Andretti was contractually #1 and Ronnie followed closely. Anyone confirm / refute?
Kenny (@kenny)
12th January 2011, 9:34
Yes, Peterson signed on as No.2 driver and he stuck to the arrangement.
In my view it is impossible to say who would have won the WDC that year if team orders weren’t in place. Mario definitely had the upper hand in the first half of the season- familiarity and set up savvy while Ronnie was pretty much clueless when it came to set up. As the season prgressed Ronnie got settled in and…it would have been something to watch those two racing each other. The arguement that Peterson was “holding station” in each of their many 1-2 finishes doesn’t hold water because Mario was “holding station”, too, going just fast enough to get them home at the front. The only thing I can with certainty is that it would have been close…
Kenny (@kenny)
12th January 2011, 9:44
I should add that there was one race that year in which Mario had car trouble while leading and Ronnie did, truely, hold station, protecting Mario’s back to the finish.
Further to the tale, Mario and Ronnie became fast (pun intended) friends that season…the many stories to the contrary are bulldust.
Nixon (@nixon)
11th January 2011, 13:17
Jackie Stewart, Duh. But where is the poll.
sw6569 (@sw6569)
11th January 2011, 13:20
Jackie Stewart. Tough decision though, but I personally think Jackie is one of the greatest champions in F1, possibly even the best. This is not just because of his remarkable on track achievements – but also because of the way he changed F1. F1 is safe because of Jackie Stewart.
Further, he was a successful team owner in the late 90’s, even winning a race. One of the greatest people to be in F1, let alone one of the best champions.
Shame there is no poll though!
Dan Thorn (@dan-thorn)
11th January 2011, 13:20
Much is made (and rightly so) of the huge steps Stewart took in an effort to improve safety, and as a result it’s often easy to forget that he was absolutely awesome behind the wheel.
Andretti is probably the greatest all round driver there’s ever been and he had a wonderful career in F1, but against Sir Jackie there can be no contest as to who the better World Champion driver was.
Jackie used his position as World Champion to improve the sport for everyone in a way that hasn’t been done before or since, and as a result is probably the greatest champion ever. If it was up to me we’d have him and Clark in the final.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
11th January 2011, 13:21
Apologies to those of you who couldn’t see the poll, this has now been fixed.
sw6569 (@sw6569)
11th January 2011, 13:22
woo i got the first vote in :P 100% to Jackie Stewart
McLarenFanJamm (@mclarenfanjamm)
11th January 2011, 13:25
11 votes in and it’s still 100% :D
kowalsky (@)
11th January 2011, 14:00
20 and still 100%.
This says a lot about the man. Not only a excelent driver, but a likable man, respected by the fans no matter what country they are from.
jihelle (@jihelle)
11th January 2011, 13:37
Can’t see the poll either but can’t remember whether I voted… Does the poll disappear once you’ve voted ? Anyway Stewart hands down. Andretti was a good driver but winning the title in 1979 was more the car than the driver.
Kenny (@kenny)
11th January 2011, 15:16
Re 1978- boy, have you ever got that wrong! Do a little reading.
BasCB (@bascb)
11th January 2011, 13:53
No problem, thanks for fixing the Poll! LOL
DeadManWoking (@deadmanwoking)
11th January 2011, 14:15
Keith, Fangio/Hawthorn from 2 days ago is not showing up on the list of matches.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
11th January 2011, 15:24
Thanks for pointing that out – should be in there now.
DeadManWoking (@deadmanwoking)
11th January 2011, 15:45
Yes it is, but you’ve lost Schumacher now 8)
DeadManWoking (@deadmanwoking)
11th January 2011, 15:51
Nevermind, I see now that the list only holds the last 10 but he’s still there when you click the “Browse All”.
Dougie (@f1droid)
11th January 2011, 13:23
Purely on the basis of Nurburgring ’68 it’s Jackie all the way.
The Andretti name is synonymous with speed thanks to Mario, was it not he who said…
He will always have a special place, I hate to see him go out.
That’s what tough about this “competition”, watching your favourites drop out one by one, they’re all winners essentially!
sw6569 (@sw6569)
11th January 2011, 13:24
A great quote, and its why I found this decision hard at first. Mario was a great racing driver with real racers passion. However, Stewart pips it for me
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
11th January 2011, 13:43
My favourite Andretti-ism is from when he beat his son Michael at Portland one year in CART. Michael had a car problem and Mario passed him right at the end of the race. Michael said something like “you should have let me win” and Mario told him “that’s now how it works, son”. Co-ol.
kowalsky (@)
11th January 2011, 14:12
i remember that race. In an interview after the race he said. It was michael’s race, but i took it. With a grin. Cool.!!!
It’s a shame he had to go in the first round. But what are his chances against such a brilliant figure.
Imagine the poor driver that goes against senna. He is going to be obliterated.
Atticus (@atticus-2)
11th January 2011, 14:32
He’s going to be Damon. I have that feeling. Am I right Keith? ;)
Dougie (@f1droid)
11th January 2011, 15:43
I think that was ’86 Keith, Michael lost out to Bobby Rahal by 8pts in the Championship.
kowalsky (@)
11th January 2011, 13:26
poor mario. What chances does he have against the great stewart.?!!
Sir stewart is such a class act as well. And his record speaks by itself.
It is the one i most look forward in an interview. Either behind or in front of the camera. The one he made to senna, when the brazilian got upset was stellar.
And as a driver!! amazing. He drove in an era that was so dangerous, made efforts to stop the carnage, but still had the guts to keep on driving.
In my book a top five. If there was any room there.
So number six plus then.
Cyclops_PL (@cyclops_pl)
11th January 2011, 13:27
Sir Jackie wins by KO. Thank you.
pSynrg
11th January 2011, 13:30
Mario Andretti, best driver the USA ever produced.
Jackie Stewart, definitely in the short list for greatest driver the world ever produced
Ned Flanders
11th January 2011, 13:33
Funny that Stewart probably isn’t the best driver Scotland ever produced, yet he’s still up there with the best in the world! Says a lot about the racing talent Scotland has produced
pSynrg
11th January 2011, 16:35
Scotland’s greatest is possibly one of the trickiest of all. How the hell do you (subjectively at least) choose between Stewart or Clark (to name just two…)
For me they are equals – the difference being Clark = Artist & Stewart = Engineer.
melkurion (@melkurion)
11th January 2011, 14:10
One of the greatest from the USA yes, but don’t forget A.J. Foyt….
Sammy
11th January 2011, 13:33
This is probably not a competition worth having
Sammy
11th January 2011, 15:38
Between the two I mean, not the Champion of Champions lol. Im not being a d!ck, in case anyone misunderstood.
Kurt Grassierende
11th January 2011, 13:37
I’ve watched f1 since 1970 and have seen as much is possible before that. There will always be romantics in the sport and those who claim it was better when…….
I remember cars being 8 laps down if they finished and I remember cars not passing and it was down to tyres, brakes, tracks you name it the excuses were there. Most people on this site are reasonably young(late teens 20’s and 30’s) and think that they missed out on the great Senna and Piquet era. I see posts about Mansell and his wins and it’s exactly as it is today. People complained when Schumacher won all the time well it was the same with Mansell in a car that with all respect to him was so good it made last years Brawn look bad. Senna and Prost won 15 out of 16 races and noboby was within a lap ot them. The turbos were crazy to see but if they did not blow up they won. The same thing happens an all sport and no mater what age you are some older guy is going to say ah but in my day blah blah blah.
I am in my mid 40’s and for me the best driver & my hero always will be Sir Jackie & francois cevert
kowalsky (@)
11th January 2011, 14:29
when was the last time you saw a race live?
For me it was in 2009, and i was so disapointed about the lack of sound and speed sensation that i am still in shock.
I remember the first f1 i saw at estoril 1984. I was 18 at the time, the qualy was on, and everybody was running to their granstands seats. I was entering at the end of the straight, and thinking what car would it be the one i first see. it was boutsen’s arrows, with the bmw turbo. He was coming like a mad man at full throttle along the main straight, braked just a little, shift down and full throttle again on the very fast right hander, and he was gone. I was in shock, but for a completely different reason.
Old_boy_racer (@)
11th January 2011, 23:51
I always loved Rudolf Caracciola, he was my favourite. He was just so good in the rain, he could drive around any problem. It was terrible when Mercedes were favouring Lang over him, the only race he won in ’39 was the German Grand Prix that Lang retired from. He ran him close in the Swiss though, with equal equipment I feel he would have won easily.
David B (@david-b)
11th January 2011, 13:45
I’m sorry for Mario, a driver that was able to win in all categories and for so many years (remember when he came back at Monza to replace Pironi and…got the pole!).
But Jackie is Jackie.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
11th January 2011, 20:54
Yep. Mario is a legend, but just a blip on the radar compared to Sir Jackie.
Beyond (@lello4ever)
11th January 2011, 13:53
The winner is always the “first” driver…
schooner (@schooner)
11th January 2011, 13:55
Surely the name Andretti is more synonymous worldwide with excellence in motorsport than is Jackie Stewart, and what an amazingly versatile and successful driver he was. That said, Stewart will be getting my vote till the end. To dominate as he did, winning nearly 1/3 of races entered (not classified in nearly 1/3 of those due to mechanical issues), in what was the most brutally dangerous era of F1 racing, is to me, a career beyond compare.
Fixy (@)
11th January 2011, 14:07
I prefer Andretti, and although I know that Stewart was really great I voted Andretti because his potential was really big. Having pole on his first race and winning his first with Ferrari is incredible, and had he concentrated more on F1 and driven with more competitive cars he’d have won much more.
Fixy (@)
11th January 2011, 14:08
And he had pole on his first race for Ferrari again in 1982, after competing in one only race that season. Fantastic.
lutbar
11th January 2011, 14:09
Too many Brits are here, and I can’t vote :]
..a choice between Jackie and Mario, is not an easy choice to make. Mario wins on both continents, Jackie no, Yes, he almost win the Indianapolis 500 but that’s all
So my virtual vote goes to F1, NASCAR,USAC,CART,Le Mans race master Mario.
Hooah!
Kenny (@kenny)
11th January 2011, 15:20
Jackie won in Can Am.
lutbar
11th January 2011, 23:01
Don’t get me wrong.
I still inspired by Jackie performance, ..by his talent and his fight …for all.
Maybe his last words about Clark and Vattel make my confused, really don’t know.
I was very angry, champion should not behave like liquid. That’s wrong!
I wrote this early, it’s very difficult choice, really really hard
…and I made my decision, the end, dot, and com.
melkurion (@melkurion)
11th January 2011, 14:13
It’s gotto be Steward, no matter how much I apreciate Mario’s talent, but no way he’s better then steward , who mght have won more titles ig he hadn’t retired so soon….
Ral (@)
11th January 2011, 14:25
I really, really want to give my vote to Andretti. He’s for some reason one of the “oldest” drivers I remember seeing on TV and combined with his exploits in other categories, I can only admire him.
But the numbers kinda speak for themselves as far as F1 goes. And it’s not like I mind voting for Steward :)
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th January 2011, 12:21
Something like that for me too – I think Mario Andretti is a great racer, and had he concentrated solely on F1 his stats might be a lot closer to those of Stewart, but as it is, Stewart has my vote.
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th January 2011, 12:22
By the way, not that I think Andretti made a wrong choice, I think he did great stuff, and it could very well be that he is a lot happier this way. In F1 I am sure he couldn’t have been competing so long as he has been racing now in the USA.
Funkyf1
11th January 2011, 14:44
Keith I can’t find anywhere to log in on the mobile version :( Stewart gets my vote, a true champion
Kenny (@kenny)
11th January 2011, 15:22
Mario Andretti is my favorite driver, and in an “overall” contest I would pick him over Stewart. But this contest is about F1 so my vote has to go to Jacklie. Sorry, Mario…
Kenny (@kenny)
11th January 2011, 15:23
Jacklie? J A C K I E.
His_majesty
11th January 2011, 15:26
I can’t vote for some reason as well, but no worries, I’ll just explain. J Stewart is a better f1 driver, andretti is a better all around driver. He has proved that he can win in anything, from dirt track to NASCAR to something as advanced as f1.
rdenatale (@rdenatale)
11th January 2011, 15:46
This one was tough.
I had to vote for Mario though, with a focus on “Champion” rather than F1.
Mario shone in F1, Nascar and Indy racing. And for much of his F1 career he drove both in F1 and in America and was one of the most frequent customers on the Concorde. I recall one of the F1 reports in “Road and Track” written by Innes Ireland, or perhaps Rob Walker (they both used to write then as I recall), where the writer was convinced by Andretti to fly the Concorde to get to the states, and running into weather delays meaning that the Concorde had to land early, in Newfoundland I think, resulting in a very late arrival in New York.
Andretti was also a great test driver, and was responsible for much of Lotus’ success in developing the F1 cars during his tenure there. He understood things about suspensions and tires from his oval track experiences which turned out to be applicable to road racing. He and Jim Clark were probably the best drivers for Lotus in developing the cars and working with Chapman.
Now the fact that I’m Italian American probably affects my vote. I remember an exciting finish to the British GP one year with Mario coming from behind in a Lotus, back when I was driving a Triumph Spitifire, which formed a bond between two Italian Americans driving British cars, at least in my mind.
I’d love for both Jackie and Mario to survive this first round, but that can’t be, but I’ve got to speak up for my man, much as I also love Sir Stewart.
Eggry (@eggry)
11th January 2011, 16:40
I voted to Stewart. but it was the hardest one.
Anto (@)
11th January 2011, 17:27
I didn’t think so few would vote Andretti compared to the amount that Stewart got. Still, Jackie’s better in my mind. F1 wouldn’t be what it is today without him. I just wish he didn’t sell the team to Ford. Jaguar was no good compared to Stewart. At least they became good when Red Bull took over.
Scribe (@scribe)
11th January 2011, 17:41
Well I’ve gone for Stewart for two reasons, one, after Clark he was undoubtably the best in his era, he won three championships on 99 starts, built teams around him.
Two, after he retired Stewart has probably been the best Champion for the sport, his at times one man crusade to help transform the sport from a brutal death trap an towards an age of saftey where truly comendable.
olivier (@olivier)
11th January 2011, 17:50
So far all the multiple champions have won their match, except …
Scribe (@scribe)
11th January 2011, 17:54
Piquet! Piquets lost his to Mansell, an deservedly if you ask me. It’s weird how clear an idea you get for the drivers only likle to progress one round.
kowalsky (@)
11th January 2011, 18:40
maybe something to do with the fact that he is a brit, with a very flamboyant driving style, that we all like?
pseudohendrix (@pseudohendrix)
11th January 2011, 18:14
Easiest one so far for me. Stewart should be a real contender to win this thing.
0634 (@)
11th January 2011, 18:35
Jackie Stewart, by a huge mile.
Dangarcia
11th January 2011, 19:31
There are always sportsmen/women that lead their sport from one generation to another through their talent and professionalism. These are guys who understand their talents but it is not good enough for them to beat those around them. They have to move their sport to the next level. For me Jackie Stewart did that. From my minor level of geekness about F1 he was the first one to combine talent, professionalism, fitness, business and politics to change F1.
He also, and maybe this is excellent PR on his part, carries himself with a code of ethics or gentlemanlyness that is so hard to combine with the will to win.
Jackie Stewart was a great driver and an even better world champion.
Was that too gushy?
Victorinox
11th January 2011, 19:45
Too bad the two crossed in the first round.
Sir Jackie stewart is surely one of the best, but Mario Andretti is by far one of the most complete drivers in history. The guy was able to be competitive in anything with 4 wheels. F-1 champion, IndyCar champion, IROC champion, Le Mans 24h 2nd overall and class win, plus another 3rd overall place, Daytona 24h win, Sebring 12h win (3 times), Indy 500 win, Daytona 500 win… So the guy was able to be successful in single-seaters/open-wheels, endurance cars, sprint/dirt cars, stock cars, younameit…
0634 (@)
11th January 2011, 20:14
I agree that Mario Andretti is a very allround driver, but this contest is about F1, so the rest doesn’t matter in this case.
Bleu (@bleu)
11th January 2011, 20:59
Mario Andretti would be my choice if this was all-round poll, but it is F1, so I vote for Stewart.
Bleu (@bleu)
11th January 2011, 21:01
Ten champions left. Interesting to see what pairs are. Will we see father and son Hill paired?
Atticus (@atticus-2)
12th January 2011, 2:17
I don’t think so. Most of the time Keith pairs up drivers who have something in common in their career so they have usually driven in the same era (think of Mansell-Piquet, Clark-Surtees, Lauda-Jones, etc. the notable exception being Schu-Farina for example).
So I expect a Senna-D. Hill, a P. Hill-G. Hill, a Brabham-Rindt and so on.
But chanches are high that I’m wrong in at least one or two cases. :)
mrgrieves (@mrgrieves)
11th January 2011, 22:17
Mario has to be recognised as “the” complete racing driver. However Jackie Stewart is in my opinion the greates F1 driver ever. Many say Clark beat him when they went face to face in the 60’s but i feel Stewart was unlucky and still developing, but thats for another day. Stewart for this one although Mario is one of the best loosers so far.
judo chop
11th January 2011, 22:32
Jackie Stewart for sure. Top 5 all time. Andretti’s a strong match but misses out here. His success in other series doesn’t count because it’s like being the top scorer in Scottish football.
skodarap (@skodarap)
12th January 2011, 0:11
Andretti for me, only because he entered so late in the F1 (well, full time at least) – after all, he’s only a year older than Jackie
skodarap (@skodarap)
12th January 2011, 0:13
*younger, sorry
AndyEssex (@)
12th January 2011, 6:07
There’s something about Stewart that always annoys me. He seems to be in every TV shot and F1 picture, I don’t know how, just in the background. I think he has been very harsh on certain drivers, maybe singling out Schumacher even more than EJ this year. He always seems to be sucking around the royal family too. Sorry guys, it’s only my opinion but he just seems to get everywhere and it irritates me!
xxiinophobia (@xxiinophobia)
12th January 2011, 22:25
Based on results it’s absolutely got to be Jackie Stewart. From what he did behind the wheel, adding in his work for driver safety and a classy demeanour, when I think of the ideal F1 champion and ambassador, Jackie Stewart is the first name that springs to mind every time.
Mario didn’t have the mass of F1 results to show for it, but I think no less of him simply because he has proved his worth behind the wheel in a myriad of disciplines.
Two men, both motorsports legends, and both rightfully so.
William Sanders
22nd February 2015, 23:08
One must always wonder what Andretti’s F1 career would have looked like if he had taken on the full-time ride with Lotus following the death of Jimmy Clark in ’68. He would likely have been the lead Lotus driver for that early 70s era and then a true comparison with Stewart would have been possible..