Britney, The Professor, Teflonso: What’s in a nickname?
Rather a lot, actually. F1 driver’s nicknames tend to tell us something about their skills, their physical appearance – or how often they get into trouble.
Here are ten memorable and revealing F1 driver nicknames.
Maestro
The significant thing about this nickname for Juan Manuel Fangio is not just that it’s a mark of extremely high praise for the man who ruled F1 in the fifties.
This wasn’t just a term used by fans and pundits – this was how fellow drivers referred to their greatest rival. It shows the high regard the five-times champion was held in by his peers.
Can you imagine any of today’s drivers referring to the opposition in such terms?
The Professor
In an era of unpredictable fuel and tyre consumption, one man stood out as the best at playing the long game. Alain Prost was an expert at restraining the urge to drive at ten-tenths, preserving his car until the end of the race, and above all, making sure he did not run out of fuel.
This was easier said than done in the turbo era, when the maximum fuel limit was cut several times, forcing drivers to be ever more canny with their boost levels.
It made for a fascinating rivalry between himself and Ayrton Senna, master of the flying lap in qualifying.
Prost’s calculating style served him equally well outside of the cockpit. His astute political manoeuvrings landed him a seat in the best car in F1 in 1993 – with a veto preventing Senna joining him at the team.
Schummel-Schumi
Nicknames can be compliments or criticisms. This early appellation belonging to Michael Schumacher is clearly the latter.
But what’s particularly telling about the phrase is that it was applied by his own countrymen in his native tongue.
The word ‘schummel’ carries connotations of cheating and deviousness. It first appeared in German tabloid newspapers during the 1994 season, when Schumacher was repeatedly accused of bending or breaking the rules.
The charge sheet included the hidden ‘option 13’ menu on his Benetton, alleged to activate a banned launch control system; his disqualification at Silverstone and two-race ban; his team mate’s pit fire following the removal of a filter from Benetton’s refuelling rig; his disqualification at Spa on a technicality; and driving into Damon Hill to clinch the world championship at Adelaide.
It was with this cloud hanging over him that Schumacher eventually decided to leave Benetton and join Ferrari. But despite seven world championship titles and 91 wins, to some he is still Schummel-Schumi.
Teflonso
On similar lines to ‘Schummel-Schumi’, Fernando Alonso’s proximity to the two biggest F1 scandals of recent years has earned him the nickname ‘Teflonso’.
Polytetrafluoroethylene – better known as Teflon – is commonly used as a non-stick coating on kitchenware. It also has a rich tradition of being used to describe people tainted by allegations but never directly implicated in them.
One of its earliest uses was in reference to gangster John Gotti – the ‘Teflon Don’ – who escaped punishment in a series of trials in New York in the eighties.
In Alonso’s case it refers to his involvement in ‘Spygate’ in 2007, where emails revealed he discussed McLaren’s use of confidential Ferrari information, and ‘Crashgate’ in 2008, where his Renault team mate Nelson Piquet Jnr was ordered by his team to crash to help Alonso win.
It was after the latter that the name entered widespread use. BBC F1 commentator Martin Brundle used it during the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix after the real story behind the previous year’s race became public knowledge.
The charges may not have stuck, but the nickname has.
Il Leone
We’re back in the realm of more positive nicknames.
The quickest way for a new Ferrari driver to win over Italy’s passionate Tifosi is to win for them first time out.
That’s exactly what Nigel Mansell did for them against the odds at Brazil in 1989. In a year of McLaren domination, he added a second triumph at Hungary, racing through the field from 12th on the grid.
Though he only spent two years with the team his charging, battling style earned him the nickname ‘il leone’ – the lion.
Hunt the Shunt
Many are the drivers who’ve earned a nickname for their propensity for crashing.
The shunt-prone Andrea de Cesaris was dubbed, somewhat predictably, ‘de Crasheris’ for his efforts.
A young Jody Scheckter earned the more obscure nickname ‘Fletcher’ following a series of crashes.
This is one for more literate F1 fans – Fletcher is the name of a bird in the book Jonathan Livingstone Seagull, who persistently tries to fly before he’s ready and keeps crashing as a result.
But the best example of its type has to be the short-but-sweet Hunt the Shunt. Like Scheckter, James Hunt overcame his crashing ways to claim a championship win in the seventies.
The Pampas Bull
A sub-species of nicknames are those which are more like titles, or something you might imagine being used to describe a wrestler.
The stocky frame of Jose Froilan Gonzalez, the first driver to win an F1 race for Ferrari, earned him the name ‘The Pampas Bull’. This was at least more complimentary than the name those closest to him used – El Cabezon, ‘Fat Head’.
Other examples of this type include The Monza Gorilla (Vittorio Brambilla) and The Abruzzi Robber (Luigi Fagioli).
The Rat
Not the most flattering of nicknames, but Niki Lauda was dubbed The Rat more for his appearance than his personality.
This was less to do with the damage his horrific crash of 1976 did to his face than the profile of his head and bucked teeth.
As he amassed wins and championships, so the name became more adulatory, progressing to ‘Super Rat’ and ‘King Rat’ before he retired at the end of 1985 with three titles and 25 wins under his belt.
Black Jack
Jack Brabham had a reputation for his uncompromising driving on the track.
But the nickname ‘Black Jack’ owed more to his personality – he had a reputation for not being very forthcoming.
Like Lauda, his appearance was also part of it – Brabham’s dark hair matching his quiet personality.
Britney
And so it is today for Nico Rosberg.
His golden locks have led to him being dubbed ‘Britney’, in reference to Britney Spears, since his days as Mark Webber’s team mate at Williams.
Following last year’s season finale in Abu Dhabi Rosberg turned up at Dubai airport to discover someone had substituted the photograph in his passport for one of Britney Spears.
Who says modern F1 drivers don’t have a sense of humour?
Over to you
Which are your favourite F1 nicknames? What about the ones not in this list such as ‘Iceman’ Kimi Raikkonen and ‘Mike the Bike’ Hailwood?
Other names have been applied to more than one driver, like ‘The Flying Finn’ and ‘Rain-master’.
Which other drivers on the grid do you think deserve nicknames? Have your say in the comments.
F1 top tens
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- The great go-slows: 10 times F1 drivers threw out the anchor – for different reasons
- F1’s 10 longest-running teams – and why most of them have been lost
- Your top 10 F1 tracks of the last 10 seasons
- Goodbye open cockpits, hello Halo: F1’s ten great watershed moments
- It’s not over yet: Top ten ‘dead rubbers’ that rocked
- In pictures: McLaren’s ten greatest ‘MP4’ cars
- Overtaking is overrated: F1’s top ten ‘processions’
Read more top tens
Image © Daimler, Ford, Ford, Patrick Tercier, via Twitpic
wasiF1
9th August 2011, 12:44
They are cool but nothing come close to attitude & coldness to ICEMAN.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
9th August 2011, 13:36
Agree! I like how he calls his WRC team ICE 1.
sato113 (@sato113)
9th August 2011, 13:44
Iceman FTW!
Proesterchen
9th August 2011, 13:56
“Iceman” always seemed contrived to me, given its ‘team boss trying to make the best of a driver that hates PR’-heritage.
joey-poey
9th August 2011, 15:49
As someone who grew up in the era of Top Gun, it just brings to mind all the wrong, cheesy images to be intimidating X)
BasCB (@bascb)
9th August 2011, 19:18
LOL
lewymp4 (@lewymp4)
9th August 2011, 18:39
The Rat and Britney are pretty funny, and I think that you have called it right when you said, ” nothing comes close to attitude & coldness to ICEMAN.”
The man has no hesitation of calling it, as he feels it….below is a prime example!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MlsMVzrp2o
usf1fan
9th August 2011, 19:29
I think ICEMAN has more to do with where he’s from than his “perceived” attitude.
rpiian (@rpiian)
9th August 2011, 21:05
“Kimi, what’s the 5th grid place like?”
“It’s the 5th grid place.”
The Sri Lankan
9th August 2011, 22:01
Christiano DaMatta – Christiano Da-matter?
pretty sure Takuma Sato had something as well
halifaxf1fan
10th August 2011, 3:16
‘Iceman’ is easily the most recognizable F1 nickname in the past 10 years and should be on the list. Also I should mention ‘Jack Newtown’ or ‘JV’ for Jacques Villeneuve and ‘Le Petit Prince’ or just ‘Gilles’ for his father. And don’t forget the nickname for the barrier at turn 9 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, ‘The Wall of Champions’!
halifaxf1fan
10th August 2011, 3:24
Of course I meant to say the ‘Wall of Champions’ is at the exit of turn 13!
Don
11th August 2011, 11:49
You need to update this page with a picture of the banned “Crash Verstappen” lollies and the court-case.
Rakeen Pasya
11th September 2014, 8:59
I got a good nickname for jenson button and that is ‘twilight sparkle’ or if you call it ‘twilight button’
SVettel (@)
9th August 2011, 12:47
Kimi: Iceman
Kovalainen: Nice man
:D
Kimilimi (@kimilimi)
9th August 2011, 12:48
Iceman all the way
KNF
9th August 2011, 13:00
Also known as the Ice Cream Man… :D
Icthyes (@icthyes)
9th August 2011, 12:51
Finger Boy!
Todfod (@todfod)
9th August 2011, 13:29
Lol. I like finger boy, although people do refer to him as crash kid
infy (@infy)
9th August 2011, 13:47
Lewis is mostly refereed to as Crash Kid.
Ral (@)
9th August 2011, 15:17
Never heard Lewis referred to as the crashkid, other than by Vettel fans trying to offload the name on another driver.
David-A (@david-a)
9th August 2011, 19:46
The problem being, that Vettel doesn’t deserve the name either. Whitmarsh only came up with it when he was butthurt about Button being taken out of one race.
Mika
9th August 2011, 22:35
Lewis is known as Pinocchio (The wooden doll, whose nose grew if he told a lie) since the Lygate affair….
vodka an orange
10th August 2011, 17:27
in the last 2 years Hammy has crashed far more than Vettel! Hammy has incidents nearly every race, whist Vettel has had an almost perfect season so far! And have you forgotten the gravel trap in the China pitlane and that sublime rear-ender on Raikkonen in Canada? Priceless! #;0
marsianwalrus (@einariliyev)
9th August 2011, 15:44
Also Baby Hammy for haters.
unocv12
9th August 2011, 16:07
Ditto with what Ral said.
Crash kid is Vettels. Hamilton may have gone out twice (monza and singapore) by touching another or hitting respectively but thats nothing compared to Turkey, Great Britain and Belgium plus a few others.
Vettel tends to get
Crash kid
Wunderkid/Ze Wunderkid – more sarcastic than anything when I’ve heard it
Finger boy
and The Gimp – occasionally at other places
Also Keith, your there are a few big ones that could be noted
The flying finns – Hakkinen and Raikkonen
Silver Arrows – admittedly a team but still a nickname
Rain Master – Schumacher
+ several Brundle-isms
Kobaybashi
Kowasabi
etc…. i.e. notable that Kobayashis name tends to be played with a bit to describe him in the same way as a nickname
Jeremy Clarkson on TopGear keeps ponouncing Barricello as Barri-chello (the cello being as you said the word cello as in the stringed instrument rather than the more popular ‘kello’ pronounciation).
And then the Brazilian drivers Rubino Nelsinho are used by same instead of their English counterparts.
Schumi – Schumacher!!! Most obvious but forogtten from your list
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th August 2011, 16:12
Didn’t make it past the second one, eh?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th August 2011, 16:17
Didn’t Martin Whitmarsh call Vettel ‘crash kid’ after Spa last year?
And Vettel’s been doing alright since then…
DaveBanchero (@mfdb)
9th August 2011, 16:55
Vettel – crash kid? that doesn’t really make sense. He doesn’t crash that often….I’m not a big Vettel fan, but making fun of him for crashing is stupid….I would say, if you had to make fun of him, it would be that he’s not very aggressive and isn’t that good at passing. He seems to really only win when he’s out front. But crashing…. really…. that’s reaching.
Mgn
9th August 2011, 19:14
have to agree with @unocv12 Hakkinen Raikkonen-Flying Finn, and obvious one Schumacher-Rainmaster
BBT
9th August 2011, 20:55
Yeap, Keith is correct, it was given to Vettel for one incident by Whitmarsh and ever since then have come back to bite Whitmarsh, (marshwit)
NW
10th August 2011, 1:17
Make that CryBaby
Antranik (@antranik)
9th August 2011, 18:58
I think a better one for Lewis is Ramilton!
streetfightingman
9th August 2011, 22:06
Haha that’s a good one!
IceMan
10th August 2011, 5:02
I like this.
Leb
10th August 2011, 21:58
Nah, Slamilton is where it’s at :P
Zaphod
10th August 2011, 13:48
Martin Whitmarsh called Vettel the ‘crash kid’ on the BBC, after taking out Button at last year’s Spa. Vettel laughed ans said’ well that’s one more title for my collection’
PEdro
11th August 2011, 10:39
I liked “crane boy”, but it didn’t stick.
Alonso is called by his haters in Spain “Frenando”(“Braking”) Alonso.
rakeen pasya
12th September 2014, 4:15
while jenson button was mostly referred as twilight sparkle due to them driving/running so soft
NJB
9th August 2011, 20:23
I heard Vettel is aptly known amongst fellow drivers as ‘Princess Petal’.
Zaphod
10th August 2011, 14:54
…and of course you also have the chassis nicknames, ie kinky kylie, kate’s dirty sister etc
Where do you reckon Princess Petal comes from?
NJB
10th August 2011, 23:52
Apparently he is also known as ‘schoolboy’. This is from Joe Saward after Spa last year:
David-A (@david-a)
11th August 2011, 0:02
Indeed it was a schoolboy performance. But Saward has surely been eating his own words since then.
Proesterchen
11th August 2011, 0:18
You have to remember Joe’s loyalties, what with the crying about the lack of team orders in Webber’s favor at RBR and everything.
NJB
11th August 2011, 13:05
And let’s not forget Ecclestone and Briatore’s as-yet-unexplained moniker for Hamilton; Jumbo.
Pink Peril
12th August 2011, 23:54
I have heard Vettel referred to as Justin Beiber on more than one occaison (ok, I might have started that nickname myself) ;P
DavidS (@davids)
13th May 2013, 23:06
How about “The proctologist”
Journeyer (@journeyer)
9th August 2011, 12:51
Gotta be Giovanni Lavaggi – also known as Johnny Carwash! :D
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th August 2011, 12:55
I’ve never heard that one before! Where did that come from?
TimG (@timg)
9th August 2011, 12:57
It’s a literal translation of his name.
joey-poey
9th August 2011, 15:52
oh my goodness. That is now #1 in my book of best driver nicknames XD
Journeyer (@journeyer)
9th August 2011, 13:04
Tommy explained it pretty well, I think. :) Here’s a video of Johnny Carwash in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5OAecJ9iNk
TommyB (@tommyb89)
9th August 2011, 13:06
Beat me to it Journeyman!
Yeah I wrote about the reasoning just below this comment. His name translated into English was “John Washing”
ajokay (@)
9th August 2011, 15:38
I think whoever was commentating alongside Murray Walker in 1995 coined the name. I definately remember the British commentators talking about it though, or maybe it was in an Autosport from around then.
SoLiDG
9th August 2011, 12:53
Ayrton ‘Magic’ Senna seems missing :)
Todfod (@todfod)
9th August 2011, 13:31
Lots of them missing.. Iceman for Kimi, Flying Finn for Hakkinnen.
Rocket Rosset was one of my favourites as well.
TimG (@timg)
9th August 2011, 14:22
The “Flying Finn” was also used for Keke Rosberg and JJ Lehto, so not really a Hakkinen-specific nickname.
tom
11th August 2011, 9:25
mika was called the flying finn more because of his big accident than anything else
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
11th August 2011, 9:28
Wasn’t it for this famous picture taken at Adelaide the year before his accident?
http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/119/l_cd53fe20af3140149c84f1e75e5eca13.jpg
tom
12th August 2011, 14:22
Yep, I think you’re right, Keith.
I guess I was confused because they were both in Australia.
Wesley
9th August 2011, 21:41
“Lots of them missing.. Iceman for Kimi, Flying Finn for Hakkinnen.”
Do you people even read the articles before you comment?
Nothing is cooler than “Iceman” or “Maestro”
TheBrav3
9th August 2011, 23:12
No one has mentioned this one yet Pedro de la rossa – The Spanish Sensation.
sato113 (@sato113)
9th August 2011, 13:45
or ‘Magic’ Alonso is a popular one.
alexf1man
9th August 2011, 14:29
or just Nando, because it sounds like Nando’s and he pronounces Chicane like Chicken (France 2008)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-57Thiyvy8
Made this one up a while back and I still use it :-)
f1geordie (@f1geordie)
9th August 2011, 16:10
love it
JCost (@jcost)
9th August 2011, 15:09
In Spain, Alonso “haters” (a.k.a “anti-alonsistas”) usually call him Lloronso mixing his name with “Lrorar” which means crying… it’s like Crying (Baby) Alonso for his multiple excuses after bad racing days.
Aris (@aris)
9th August 2011, 16:46
Also Lauda is known as “The Phoenix” since his incident in the Ring in 1976.
shostak
10th August 2011, 8:30
Sorry but Lloronso is more appropiate to Massa. xD
JCostras
11th August 2011, 18:57
No antialonsos here but you, hill&pollas. Always ‘dando la nota’. Tontoloscojones-amargao-envidioso, as any good antialonso.
IceMan
10th August 2011, 5:05
How about
Look-how-bad-you-are ->Luca Badoer.
Rain Master – Schumi
IceMan
10th August 2011, 5:05
Sorry Kimster – Kimi
rethymnoracer
9th August 2011, 12:54
Christian Danner used to be called Christmas Dinner by his mechanics. Made me laugh when I heard that.
TommyB (@tommyb89)
9th August 2011, 12:54
I was watching Spa 1995 on YouTube yesterday and I found it funny that they called a backmarker ‘Johnny Carwash.’
At first I thought it was because the commentators had forgotten his name but in fact it was the nickname of Giovanni Lavaggi.
Apparently his name translated into English from Italian was ‘John Washing’ which led people in the paddock to start calling him ‘Johnny Carwash.’
It really took off after US chat show host David Letterman brought it to the publics attention and from then on the US commentators called him his nickname in almost every race.
Journeyer (@journeyer)
9th August 2011, 12:56
Beat ya to it, Tommy (see above). Still, I agree it’s the best nickname EVER, though. :D
charlay (@charlay)
9th August 2011, 12:57
“crash-kid” my favourite of the current bunch. even if it’s not that common.
Also, have we dropped “quick-nick” yet? seing as he’s going slowly…
Fixy (@)
9th August 2011, 14:34
He was the only one referring to himself as “Quick” ;)
TimG (@timg)
9th August 2011, 12:58
Ronnie Peterson – SuperSwede.
Stefanauss (@stefanauss)
9th August 2011, 12:58
I just refer to Alonso as “Frenando”, which is italian for “Braking” and/or “Slow down”. I often couple it with his last name, it sounds really good and almost undistinguishable.
Yes, he’s far from my favourite driver.
JCostras
11th August 2011, 19:02
You don`t know a word of italian, neither spanish. Fernando Alonso is an Spaniard, he is not an italian. Stop please saying nonsenses.
TimG (@timg)
9th August 2011, 13:02
Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell were sometimes known as the Brundell Brothers during their time together at Brabham and Ligier.
antifia
9th August 2011, 13:03
I use to refer to Alonso as “Fernando El Sonso” – Sonso being an adjective in Portugues for that kind of person that does nasty/underhanded things knowing all too well how bad they are but that fakes ignorance.
sare
14th July 2015, 23:45
“fakes ignorance” reminded me of Germany’10 press conference. Vettel saved him though, its like what happened in Monaco’15, “I’m happy” lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVoLbUyI0YE
The whole bit on Alonso is very humorously written. I liked it. Esp. this bit:
“Polytetrafluoroethylene – better known as Teflon – is commonly used as a non-stick coating on kitchenware. It also has a rich tradition of being used to describe people tainted by allegations but never directly implicated in them.” – Even gave a link!
TommyB (@tommyb89)
9th August 2011, 13:04
Reading Mansell’s nickname makes me want to see Hamilton in a Ferrari one day (it won’t ever happen though.)
I was curious at the results from 1989 and noticed Ferrari were on the podium every time they finished a race that year! Like a candle in the wind… unreliable.
TommyB (@tommyb89)
9th August 2011, 13:19
Also Mansell having a nickname about him being fearless shows how he was a very similar driver to Hamilton. Bin or win attitude.
This is what annoys me so much when I hear Mansell criticising Hamilton’s driving style, as from what I see they were very similar drivers.
JCost (@jcost)
9th August 2011, 15:49
+1.
Actually Mansel was my first F1 hero (I was born in 1984) for the reasons you mention, It’s really annoying to hear him saying rubbish on Lewis driving style.
Eric
9th August 2011, 23:54
I agree too. Hamilton is without doubt an imperfect driver but I wouldn’t want that to change. Although not my favorite driver on the grid he is easily one of the most exciting drivers that I have ever had the pleasure of watching.
JohanKasper
9th August 2011, 13:05
From the Dutch perspective: Jos “the Boss”.
TommyB (@tommyb89)
9th August 2011, 13:07
Like a boss. Loved that nickname.
Wallbreaker
9th August 2011, 15:42
Seconded
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
9th August 2011, 14:45
Ahh that was a good one
Ral (@)
9th August 2011, 15:31
Thank you. Was racking my brain trying to remember Jos’s nickname. As a Dutchmen, I think it’s a shame that after Benetton he never really had the machinery to do anything meaningful. Certainly Schumacher always spoke highly of him.
But then I remember this is Jos “short-fuse” Verstappen we’re talking about and I don’t mind it quite so much.
bosyber (@bosyber)
9th August 2011, 18:02
Well said. Still, I am looking forward to seeing that Red Bull demo he seems to be going to do. He is a bit of a tragic figure for me, but that’s also due to him sliding off and away after the Benetton gig. Better than Aalbers, for sure, but who remembers him?
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
10th August 2011, 17:36
I didn’t think there were too many, but going through the comments, I’m being reminded of so many!
Sladex (@sladex)
9th August 2011, 13:05
Seriously? I was going to make a poll in my blog today later! What a coincidence! :)
My fav: Iceman, Black Jack and Sunshine (Massa) ^_^
matt90 (@matt90)
9th August 2011, 13:30
I’ve never heard Massa. The only thing I associate with him is ‘baby.’
matt90 (@matt90)
9th August 2011, 13:36
*never heard Massa called Sunshine.
Sladex (@sladex)
9th August 2011, 13:45
It was taken from team radio. Rob Smedley called him Sunshine after winning Spanish GP in 2007.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmgcx-jxJuQ
spanky the wonder monkey
10th August 2011, 15:17
can probably discount that then. it would’ve been used in the same way as “mate”, “fella”, “dude” etc.
Rits
9th August 2011, 13:05
Iceman deserves to make that list Keith. Also, Mark’s Twitter name is pretty much his nickname too, in a very good way, of course.
Vettel on the other hand is earning the ‘finger-boy’ nickname pretty rapidly.
Quick-Nick seems to have been forgotten too. (Although, I’m not sure how much that pertains to current state of affairs..)
Btw, that “Britney on my passport” thing cracks me up every time like no other. LOL..
TimG (@timg)
9th August 2011, 13:13
You should have seen what was done to Ayrton Senna’s passport…
Rits
9th August 2011, 13:25
All his pages were stuck together as far as I can remember.
Btw, I just realised this is the 2nd page of comments. I thought I made one of the 1st comments on an F1F article after a long time.. Dang!
TimG (@timg)
9th August 2011, 14:25
I was thinking of the passport where the photo was replaced with a picture of a part of the male anatomy. Or maybe that the Gerhard Berger (the owner of the passport, I mean, not the body part).
Wallbreaker
9th August 2011, 15:43
Vettel is also called “Baby-Schumi” here in Germany.
Girts
9th August 2011, 13:14
These are the ones that come to my mind:
Trulli Train
Look-How-Bad-You-Are (Luca Badoer)
DJ Squire (Jaime Alguersuari)
Ali G-milton
Vyborg Rocket (Vitaly Petrov)
Bobby K (Robert Kubica)
Kobay-bashi
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
10th August 2011, 17:39
Yes, I’ve never heard the ‘Vyborg Rocket’ name used before, but I saw it on his Wikipedia page last year!
Icthyes (@icthyes)
9th August 2011, 13:16
Robert Doorknobs was a good one too :)
rethymnoracer
9th August 2011, 13:24
BTW, he hated that name and tried to change it to Bobby D. when he raced in Indycars.
ledzep4pm (@ledzep4pm)
9th August 2011, 13:16
Does no one find it strange Hamilton has no nick name he’s in his 5th year and has done plenty of stuff to warrant a nickname. Probably something related to the stewards only seems fair.
Sladex (@sladex)
9th August 2011, 13:24
How about ‘Global Brand’? :D
infy (@infy)
9th August 2011, 13:41
Most of the guys I hang out with on forums call him bumperkid, vodakid and crashkid. Obviously referring to how often he crashes into people and his terribly bad marketing stunts for vodafone.
BasCB (@bascb)
9th August 2011, 13:46
Mr. Platinum Card?
Mgn
9th August 2011, 13:50
blame team kid, Ali g ?
Alianora La Canta
9th August 2011, 14:44
I’ve seen a few different nicknames for Lewis bandied around. None are fit for use in this blog.
Victor.
9th August 2011, 18:03
Jumbo :P
Klaas
9th August 2011, 18:29
Hamilton doesn’t have a nickname because it would be considered racial abuse.
Anthony
9th August 2011, 18:44
In Spain they use “Hamiltonto” translated is “Hamildumb” or something like that…
tonto = dumb
Girts
9th August 2011, 13:26
Just remembered Karun Chandhok’s nickname. I know he has been called Karunpedia because of his extensive knowledge of F1 and its history.
Mikemat5150 (@mikemat5150)
9th August 2011, 19:58
Here in the states they sometimes refer to Chandok as cowboy. Haven’t figured out why yet.
CarsVsChildren (@carsvschildren)
10th August 2011, 1:04
Because he is an Indian?
carldec
10th August 2011, 8:50
chandok is sometimes called cowboy because of his ties to Texas. His mom is in San Antonio and he has a bunch of relatives in Texas.
http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-chandhok-claims-texas-heritage/
Carldec
Austin, TX
Bullfrog
9th August 2011, 21:35
Son of Vickypedia?
PT
23rd August 2011, 13:23
That’s brilliant, Bullfrog!
matt90 (@matt90)
9th August 2011, 13:27
Not a nickname, but I like the fact that Trulli has ‘the Trulli Train.’ Of course his car is no longer fast enough to get into a poistion where he can hold people up with his slow driving.
Alex W
10th August 2011, 2:17
nor is his qualy pace :(
TommyB (@tommyb89)
9th August 2011, 13:31
A funny one I just found was ‘Eric van de Poele’. He failed to Qualify and most of the races he entered and was nicknamed ‘Eric far from Pole’ Harsh.
rethymnoracer
9th August 2011, 13:33
His actual nickname is “TinTin”
Being Belgian with blonde hair.
rethymnoracer
9th August 2011, 13:32
The best nickname in Motorsport has to go to Superbike rider Carlos Checa.
When he gained a good few pounds, they called him “Chubby Checa”
But in his early career he crashed a lot, so they called him “Careless Chucker”
Best nickname ever.
sw6569 (@sw6569)
9th August 2011, 13:32
I liked this article.
I notice that patronisef1 have recently started calling Button the dampmeister. Quite appropriate I think!
CJD
9th August 2011, 13:36
Fangio was “El Chueco” to his friends during his racing years. Usually translated as “the bandy legged one”
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
9th August 2011, 13:39
A good list!
The Britney Spears thing was pretty funny, poor Nico!
Lustigson (@lustigson)
9th August 2011, 13:40
Teflonso and Britney don’t come close to The Rat, The Professor or Maestro, IMHO.
I like potatoes
9th August 2011, 13:41
In the era of rhyming nicknames (Joss the Boss, Juan the Man) I always found it amusing that Ralf Schumacher became known as “Ray.”
Xart
9th August 2011, 13:44
Robert “Fighter” Kubica
Cyclops_PL (@cyclops_pl)
9th August 2011, 14:14
Never heard of it and I follow the guy since karting.
Cyclops_PL (@cyclops_pl)
9th August 2011, 14:18
Although in Polish tv coverage he’s often called “The Street Fighter”, of course because of his thrilling performances on street circuits.
R Le Feuvre
9th August 2011, 13:48
Wasn’t there a driver called “The Monza Gorilla” ?? Saw it on another article looking at the drivers names over the years and what makes the good names, good name – cracking stuff. http://badgergp.com/2011/07/f1-driver-names/
StephenH
9th August 2011, 13:57
That would be Vittorio Brambilla.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th August 2011, 14:09
It’s in the article…
claudioff
9th August 2011, 14:04
What about other generic nicknames?
win or wall (Montoya)
walking chicane (Pedro Paulo Diniz)
Cyclops_PL (@cyclops_pl)
9th August 2011, 14:14
Alonso’s original nickname is El Nano. Anyone speaking Spanish can tell what does it mean?
Wallbreaker
9th August 2011, 15:45
El Nano = The small one. Because since his karting days he was always the youngest, smallest, etc.
Cyclops_PL (@cyclops_pl)
10th August 2011, 14:55
Kind of cute, isn’t it? ;)
Five Red Lights
9th August 2011, 14:26
Mine…
Fellasleepé Massa
The Pirate (Alonso)
The Stapler (Kimi)
Don’t Buemi (blame me)
Aljazeera (Jaime)
DaveW
9th August 2011, 14:34
David Hobbs is good at this. My favorite impromptu Hobbs nickname is Sack O’ Moneyoto, for the famous pay-driver Sakon Yamamoto. It’s good because it’s not even a nickname so much as a shift of emphasis.
He has a couple others, but he usually satisfies himself with politically incorrect mockery of drivers’ accepts and elaborate mispronounciations of their names. His Webber country-Australian accent is cruel and hilarious. His Jackie Stewart impersonation is just OK.
DaveW
9th August 2011, 14:35
accents, not accepts
Fixy (@)
9th August 2011, 14:38
Maestro and The Professor are the ones I like most. Iceman is also unique and cool.
Fixy (@)
9th August 2011, 22:29
As well as The Abruzzi Robber.
Tango (@tango)
9th August 2011, 14:42
On French TV, for a long time, Schumacher was referred to as the “Baron rouge” or “Red Baron”. A good nickname, as the original red baron was a German Ace in a red plane.
goofy (@goofy)
9th August 2011, 14:46
Nico Rosberg is called ‘roast beef’ by his friends:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVaRSLOyHjY
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
9th August 2011, 14:48
Great idea for an article! Vittorio Brambilla the Monza Gorilla always makes me laugh
Dutch_Alex
9th August 2011, 14:56
Since Jos The Boss was mentioned, Jos “Grindbak” Verstappen also stuck. (Grindbak is dutch for Gravel trap).
And I almost forgot Christijan “Tankslang” (fuel hose) Albers.
MW (@)
9th August 2011, 15:11
Two that I use are;
Kamui Kamikazee and
Badgerfeatures
Although in fairness to Kamui although he doesn’t seem to have much regard for his own safety he generally makes the moves stick :)
Andy
9th August 2011, 15:15
Iceman is also used in IndyCar for Scott Dixon sometimes. There’s a few good ones knocking around in that series, including the Iron Maiden for Simona de Silvestro as she’s been injured so often this year but keeps on coming back. Paul Tracy’s also accumulated a few over the years, such as the Chrome Horn…
And I always thought ‘Hunt the Shunt’ was just the printable version of what his rhyming slang nickname actually was!
joey-poey
9th August 2011, 16:20
I love that Simona’s been dubbed The Iron Maiden. Apparently before that people called her the Swiss Miss and she hated it.
And since we’re on the topic of Indy driver nicknames, I always loved that Al Unser Jr. simply became “Little Al” because of sharing his Dad’s name. And “Emmo” was a good one for Emmerson Fittipaldi.
BasCB (@bascb)
9th August 2011, 19:31
I like the Iron Maiden one as well!
Andy
9th August 2011, 20:20
There was a brief period between her Indy qualification and her next injury where it became the Swiss Missile, which was a bit better. But Iron Maiden I like.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th August 2011, 21:04
I knew there was another Iceman, was racking my brains trying to remember it.
Morpheus (@morpheus)
9th August 2011, 15:17
El Cabezon does not mean “fat head”. It means stubborn (in Argentina), clumsy (in El Salvador) or simply big headed.
Otherwise good article :)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th August 2011, 15:42
Ah, that’s interesting. I’d guess ‘fat head’ was probably used to mean ‘stubborn’ as an old-fashioned idiom.
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
9th August 2011, 15:25
JJ Lehto – Jyrki Jarvilehto
The Flying Scot – JYS
Irv the Swerve – Eddie Irvine
Jimmy Savile – Lewis Hamilton
Mr. Monaco – Graham Hill
Muddly Talker – Murray Walker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motorsports_people_by_nickname theres loads!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th August 2011, 15:43
When has anyone ever called him that?
bosyber (@bosyber)
9th August 2011, 18:15
Wasn’t JJ. Letho just called that bc. noone could pronounce the real version of his name? Not really a nickname to me.
Racer (@racer)
9th August 2011, 15:27
The Incredible Hulk (Nico Hulkenberg). Not terribly creative or even appropriate for much of his F1 career, but cool nonetheless.
Glorstensen
9th August 2011, 15:35
RoboKUB is functional in polish forums ;d
TMFOX
9th August 2011, 15:39
I’m pretty sure I remember Martin Brundle mentioning Damon Hill’s nickname in his pre-formula 1 days.
Secret Squirrel – Because he was so quiet
Icthyes (@icthyes)
9th August 2011, 15:50
That used to be my nickname too!
Jay
9th August 2011, 15:40
What about Irv the Swirve?
Accidental Mick
9th August 2011, 15:40
When James Hunt was partnering Murray Walker he never called de Chesaris by name but always referred to him as “the mobile chicane”.
Dan Thorn (@dan-thorn)
9th August 2011, 15:53
Not so much a nickname but some angry Tyrrell mechanics once rearranged Ricardo Rosset’s surname on his paddock scooter to read ‘Tosser’ after he binned it in qualifying at Monaco in 1998, which I always thought was quite amusing…
Icthyes (@icthyes)
9th August 2011, 15:54
Surprised we haven’t had d’Ambrosio Custard yet!
Sergio Perez is called Checo by his friends
Fast Eddie Irvine
Tora Tiger Takagi (that’s a Murray one)
Dan Thorn (@dan-thorn)
9th August 2011, 16:11
Or Ukyo Katayama, undoubtedly the best Formula One driver Grand Prix racing has ever produced!
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
10th August 2011, 17:45
What kind of a nickname do you call that, Dan?! :P
Mgn
9th August 2011, 16:16
Eddie Irvine also known as The Irvinator
Abhi Shah
9th August 2011, 16:01
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Tim O’Glock…Timo Glock’s nickname courtesy of Eddie Jordan during his time with Jordan Grand Prix in 2004.
Apparently Timo has a good sense of humor and the name stuck while he raced in the States.
On a side note: please someone put Timo in a proper F1 car. He is damn good but his talents are wasted at the tail end of the grid…
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th August 2011, 16:06
That’s one’s as old as the hills. They did the same with Stefano Modena, and I expect many others before him. It’s just lame.
Abhi Shah
9th August 2011, 17:17
I’m not old enough to remember what Jordan’s early history, but I’m not surprised to hear Eddie Jordan lamely recycles nicknames…thanks for the insight.
lukeath
9th August 2011, 20:36
I don’t think it’s lame, it’s a nice harmless joke.
Hearing Crofty talking about the Irishman Tim O’Glock leaving the pits always tickles me.
But for anyone to claim they made it up is lame, thats for sure.
Jim
9th August 2011, 22:52
And they weren’t the first to twist the name either.
During his time with Tyrrell, Stefan Johansson was named Steve Johnson by the team’s mechanics
cheekycheeky
9th August 2011, 16:02
Karun Chandhok’s known as Cowboy Karun in the States.
Giorgio Pantano got labelled as Grandpa Pants in GP2.
Romain Grosjean got called Johnny Fat as a directish translation of Gros (Fat) Jean (John).
Yamamoto – DJ DNF
Sutil got labelled with Baron Von Strapon earlier this year, too.
joey-poey
9th August 2011, 16:27
…I have never heard Karun called that over here :|
But the Grandpa Pants name is awesome X)
james_mc
9th August 2011, 19:05
Baron Von WHAT??!?!!?
BasCB (@bascb)
9th August 2011, 19:35
Love DJ DNF, could have been DJ Moneybag mind, but a nice one it is.
What is the Baron Von Strapon one to do with?
Lade42
9th August 2011, 16:04
I always thought that Craneboy is great one for Hamilton and Gloomio for Alonso :)
Steph (@)
9th August 2011, 16:46
I actually thought Ned had written this article when I first read it as he’s done some of the more …odd top tens :P I do love this top ten though and it’s my new favourite!
I think I read that Gonzalez was called “fathead” which tickled me. Iceman never did much for me as I just thought it was a bit daft if Kimi had made a cartoon Iceman for his helmet then it might have been more fun.
I’m surprised there isn’t more nicknames on the grid at the moment. Felipe Massiah (he was good back in 08 and he does need very, very loyal followers), Vettel to the pedal, slick switcher Jense, Karun opposite-lock after his Lotus trials, Lewis Bam!lton are just a few poor possibilities.
james_mc
9th August 2011, 19:06
I’ll admit I thought it was a Ned-special too!
Tinakori Road (@tinakori-road)
9th August 2011, 16:46
Jean-Pierre Jarier had the nickname of Jumper Jarier for his propensity of jumping starts. I heard that from his Formula Two mechanic Roger Porteous.
Cristian (@cristian)
9th August 2011, 20:01
Jumper because Robin Herd once tried to pronounce all his name and that’s what came out..
Jumper=Jean-Pierre
Tim
9th August 2011, 20:55
I thought it was Robin Herd’s very young (at the time) son?
Tobitron
9th August 2011, 17:23
Moist-Master is always a good one.
rethymnoracer
9th August 2011, 17:32
Paul DiResta is called “Dave” by the Franchitti brothers.
Comes appartently from the music group:
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich.
Paul A (@paul-a)
9th August 2011, 17:38
Teflonso??? Yes, a commentator did really say that. Once. I never read the mass-media paparazzi and although I listened to Brundle’s commentary, such a stupid comment escaped me.
You write: “The charges may not have stuck, but the nickname has.” Let’s be clear. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty; in this case the evidence, at the end of the extensive inquiry, indicated that Alonso was not involved.
With the greatest of respect to your journalistic skills Keith (and you’re one of the best), you are just stirring the pot with this one — “the charges may not have stuck, but … ” is laziness at best and slanderous at worst. Whether or not other journalists have repeated this is irrelevant, I genuinely thought you were one step higher than the mud-slingers.
Best regards – Paul (watching Ferrari win races for about 60 years, speaking fluent Spanish, not necessarily an Alonso defender.)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th August 2011, 17:48
I don’t dispute that and nothing I have written disputes that, so dial down the hyperbole, eh?
Icthyes (@icthyes)
9th August 2011, 18:26
Alonso was proved to have discussed the Spygate details. His involvement in Singapore however has never been proven and the evidence is flimsy at best.
Ironic he got immunity from the FIA in the first case and his team-mate in the second!
Alex W
10th August 2011, 2:47
Steady on it’s not a court of law, just a blog!
Carlitox (@carlitox)
9th August 2011, 18:06
Fangio was also known as “el chueco”, which can be translated as “the bow-legged”. And who forgot Andrea de Crasheris? :D
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th August 2011, 18:07
Not me, it’s in the article.
Carlitox (@carlitox)
17th August 2011, 1:30
Oh sorry! I’m becoming blind with every day…
matt88 (@matt88)
9th August 2011, 18:32
Jean Alesi’s nickname was – especially in his early F1 days – “Gian Burrasca” (literally, John Storm – a wayward child of a quite famous Italian novel) because of his uncompromising driving style.
Younger Hamii
9th August 2011, 18:33
Lewis’ Nickname is in my Name lol
Fixy (@)
9th August 2011, 18:43
What about “Checo” Perez?
Adrian Morse
9th August 2011, 18:52
I’m surprised no-one mentioned
The MoistMaster! :)
NAZ3012
9th August 2011, 18:59
you beat me to it adrian :)
Adrian Morse
9th August 2011, 19:05
actually, Tobitron beat us both to it, but I somehow missed his post ctrl-F’ing through the pages
NAZ3012
9th August 2011, 18:58
credit on this one goes to someone iv seen who posted a comment after the hungarian gp, button= the moist-meister :D
Anthony
9th August 2011, 19:02
Ross Brawn = Big Bear / Papa Bear
Giancarlo Fisichella = Fisico / Fisi /Giano
Carlos Reutermann = El lole (the bull)
Schumacher = Schuey / Red Baron
Ayrton Senna = Sao Paulo Taxi Driver
Jenson Button = Lamp Post (by Briatore)
David Coulthard = DC
Jean Alesi = The French Sicilian
matt88 (@matt88)
9th August 2011, 19:11
David Coulthard = Jaws :)
dirgegirl (@dirgegirl)
10th August 2011, 19:25
Coulthard has a lot of nicknames in my household – nsmely Bridesmaid, The Pentagon and Grinder (we heard on Star Sports while on holiday that his then-girlfriend complained about him grinding his teeth in the night).
dirgegirl (@dirgegirl)
10th August 2011, 19:26
Namely, dammit.
NAZ3012
9th August 2011, 19:04
vitaly petrov = “the rudderless russian”? maybe
or lewis could be “hammy-g”
“Felipe baby”
rubens is often known as “rubinho” aswell i think
icemangrins (@icemangrins)
9th August 2011, 19:21
Thanks for the entertainment Keith.. great article.
Schummel – Schumi stung though :-(
Steph
9th August 2011, 19:24
Myself and a friend always refer to Lewis as LLPOF (Liar liar pants on fire) after his meeting with the stewards in Melbourne a couple of years back!
icemangrins (@icemangrins)
9th August 2011, 21:01
lol
why go back couple of years? In the last race, said he didn’t see Paul coming when he spun
JimN (@jimn)
9th August 2011, 19:27
Wolfgang von Trips was always known as ‘Taffy’ but I’ve never seen a sensible explaination. Not a driver but Chopper for Ken Tyrrell was universally used as was “The Old Man” for Enzo Ferrari. Jacky Ickx was “Dieu au volant” (God at the wheel) but more because of Le Mans than F1, also sometimes “Monsieur Le Mans” . Verstappen was usually called “Jos the Boss” and don’t forget “Super Swede” for Ronnie Peterson.
Mike the bike Schumacher (@mike-the-bike-schumacher)
9th August 2011, 19:42
Well obviously i like ‘mike the bike’, but i think irv the swirv was a good one!
Tim
10th August 2011, 8:53
As in Mike “the bike” Hailwood, not Schumacher.
Esteban
9th August 2011, 19:42
“El Cabezón” means “Big Head”, not “Fat Head”.
Cristian (@cristian)
9th August 2011, 20:05
Jim Clark – Jimmy
paulguitar (@paulguitar)
9th August 2011, 20:05
‘Jos the boss’ always amused me, considering the fact that he was something of a ‘journeyman’ driver.
At Spa a few years ago my friend and I came up with ‘Jos the lower to middle manager’ as a more appropriate moniker.
Yes, I realize that it doesn’t rhyme quite so well…..:)
Zandvoortfan (@zandvoortfan)
9th August 2011, 20:08
We used to call Schumacher $chumi on account of his huge earnings
UKfanatic (@)
9th August 2011, 20:09
“Hamiltona” cause he is just like Cantona for the Good and the bad.
VXR
9th August 2011, 20:19
On quite a few other forums, Lewis Hamilton is known as ‘Lulu’.
manatcna (@manatcna)
10th August 2011, 1:48
By people with no imagination
VXR
10th August 2011, 1:56
Just saying.
Can’t think what’s wrong with ‘Hammy’, myself.
plyschak
9th August 2011, 20:24
thanks for Johnny Carwash, here are some others:
Niki Lauda – Super Rat
Sebastien Bourdais – Sea Bass
Joachim Winkelhock – Smokin’ Jo
Channok Nissany – Stirling Mossad (Minardi test-driver from Israel)
Juan Pablo Montoya – Indian (nicknamed by my father-in-law)
Nigel Mansell – Red Five (during his US career)
Luigi
9th August 2011, 20:24
Hi people.. How about the classics?
How about Caracciola being the “Regenmeister” after winning in Germany in 1926.
Yoshisune (@yobo01)
9th August 2011, 20:30
Here in Italy we have a funny nickname for Alonso: Culonso. Literally “culo” means “ass”, but it’s also a vulgar way to say “luck”.
This nickname is used a lot especially after lucky wins, for instance Silverstone 2011 or Korea 2010.
TheVillainF1 (@thevillainf1)
9th August 2011, 20:51
rudderless russian is a great one coined by brundle for petrov. dampmeister sounds better than moistmeister for Button.
Felipe according to Smedley: sunshine?
Glockdog
coolest nickname ever: The hulk
TheVillainF1 (@thevillainf1)
9th August 2011, 20:54
oh, and ofc my personal favorite: mr.Eyebrows for Fernando
Robyn
9th August 2011, 21:28
I’ve seen a couple people mention Karun Chandhok being called “Cowboy” here in the US, and I have to say I’ve always had the impression there’s just ONE person in the US who calls him that, and his name is Bob Varsha. I think he actually made the nickname up himself, because he heard that Karun’s…mother (?) is from Texas (?). Or something like that. I could be getting the details wrong.
Anyway, it bugs me every time he says it, so I felt the need to mention it. ;-)
Robyn
9th August 2011, 21:37
I should say that I might be wrong about all of that — if you’re one of the scores of Americans who’s been calling him “Cowboy” all along, please speak up!
hamilz0rs
9th August 2011, 21:28
from italy:
jean todt is Alvaro Vitali (look up on Google)
Lewis hamilton is bambino viziato (the spoiled kid, because the former ferrari spokeperson called him like that on italian tv
schumi was ‘the keiser’
barrichello: ‘he who is driven by jean todt with a remote control’
Lindsay Lohan is my girlfriend
9th August 2011, 21:33
Great to read all those nicknames from different countries. Interesting, how nicknames may change from country to country- also because of national aspects and stereotypes.
I have some for you from Austria:
Jenson Button is called “tyre whisperer” as in the horse whisperer for his ability to preserve tyres.
Ralf Schumacher was called “rolex” for his decadent lifestyle while being as silly as goose.
Nigel Mansell was known by his British nicknames rather than his Italian ones: red 5 or The Lion
Bernie Ecclestone once referred to Lewis Hamilton as “jumbo” during a gridwalk.
Frank Williams usually is called “Wheelchair General” without any disrespect.
Rather an attribute than a nickname, but still common in newspapers is “the gentleman driver” for David Coulthard.
Sebastian Vettel is called “The Finger” rather than finger boy, while I’ve never heard about “teflonso”.
Karun Chandhok’s nickname “cowboy” might have something to do with him coming from India and the special role of cows in religion. Don’t like it too much, though.
Mgn
10th August 2011, 17:12
Your nickname quiet stunning huh ;)
JodyT
9th August 2011, 21:36
My favourite nickname was “The Squirrel” for JP Montoya – named by the alternative championship because the size of his nut sack.
Nick
9th August 2011, 21:36
Lookhow Badyouare, Nuff said.
Bonus points for everyone who knows who I’m talking about.
Cristian (@cristian)
9th August 2011, 22:16
Some more :
Ian (cr)Ashley
“Emmo” Fittipaldi
Ralf was Schumi 2
Uncle Ken Tyrrell
Cristian (@cristian)
9th August 2011, 22:19
I remember Frank Williams was called “old papa Frank”
In the commentary for the 1984 Monaco grand prix, after Lauda retired, Murray Walker said that he was now going to report to “the Don” Ron Dennis
Bill Vukovich was called the Big Russian
maxthecat
9th August 2011, 23:22
I seem to remember James Hunt had quite a few nicknames for Riccardo Patrese :D
socksolid (@socksolid)
9th August 2011, 23:41
Here are few more although not all F1:
ironman – Ivan Stewart
The bear – Denny Hulme
Intimidator – Dale Earnhardt, Sr
the doctor – Valentino Rossi
häkä – Mikä Häkkinen (short for his surname, in english carbon monoxide)
räkä – Kimi Räikkönen (short for his surname, never really used though, in english snot)
keke – Keke Rosberg, short for Keijo, his first name.
Maximum Attack – Markku Alen
Bosse – Marcus Gronholm
El Matador – Carlos Sainz
Hatemelol – Lewis Hamilton
Here some more stupid ones from finnish f1 commmentators:
Michael Schumacher rector of Kerpen
Fernando Alonso Human missile of Oviedo
I think Markku Alen’s nickname is really cool though!
mcmercslr (@mcmercslr)
10th August 2011, 0:13
I’ve heard Lewis Hamilton called “lock-up Lewis” before. He is always locking wheels. Makes sense
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
10th August 2011, 0:26
When Sebastian Vettel was joined on the F1 grid by Sebastién Bourdais, F1 Racing nicknamed them “Der Seb” and “Le Seb” respectively in its 2008 season preview. Neither was used again, probably because Vettel became rather more prominent than Bourdais.
I also saw Giancarlo Fisichella nicknamed “the pocket rocket” in a Daily Mirror review of the 2005 Canadian Grand Prix.
Eastman
10th August 2011, 1:03
Present nicknames for drivers with my girl.
Some nicknames may be offensive, obscure and/or hilarious!
Sebastian Vettel – Vetty
Mark Webber – Duckboy
Jenson Button – Butti
Lewis Hamilton – *curseword* Hamilton
Fernando Alonso – Gonzo
Felipe Massa – Massy
Nico Rosberg – Britney
Micheal Schumacher – Old Guy
Nick Heidfeld – Heidi
Vitaly Petrov – 4 PET
Pastor Maldonado – Coke
Rubens Barrichello – Barky
Adrian Sutil – Sootill
Paul di Resta – PDR
Kamui Kobayashi – Kobi or Hai!
Sergio Perez – Top Gear
Sébastien Buemi – Boo-Emi
Jaime Alguersuari – All Gay
Heikki Kovalainen – HK
Jarno Trulli – Twooli
Karun Chandhok – Southpark
Narain Karthikeyan – Southpark 2
Vitantonio Liuzzi – Loo
Timo Glock – Teamo
Jérôme d’Ambrosio – Chocolate
manatcna (@manatcna)
10th August 2011, 1:16
All great names, but whoever said “Ice Cream Man” gets my vote :)
Kenny
10th August 2011, 2:50
In an interview with Damon Hill a reporter asked what Damon regarded as his biggest challenge in racing, to which Damon replied, “Herman the German.” Schumacher has been “Herman” to me ever since.
Rahim.RG
10th August 2011, 3:23
Iceman has to be…
ob1kenobi.23 (@ob1kenobi23)
10th August 2011, 4:50
The term “Flying Finn” was used back in the 60s to describe Timo Makinen & Rauno Altonen.
When they were with Jordan Rubens was known Barry Kelly & Fisi was known as Fishy Kelly.
My own favourite was when Murray Walker refered to Taki Inoui as Taki in the way after he appeared to cause the crash between Michael & Damon at Monza.
30's
10th August 2011, 6:33
rai
msc
ham
rsc
alo
vet
sat
web
but
:D :D :D
James
10th August 2011, 7:13
Well… fom Spain! haha, let’s see, “Teflonso” might be popular in the UK, but it’s far from being the most regular FA’s nickname. Being objective, and discarding some very offensive ones that deserve no quoting, we’ve got some adulatory, from which emerges “Magic”. Yes, yes, I know: it’s Ayrton’s!! (BTW, ununderstandably missing in this top-ten). But it was assigned to Alonso by it’s “official” follower journalist in Spain: it well shows the lack of imagination from this one (nicks are NEVER transferable, less a Senna one!). Then we have “El nano”. It’s a kind one, charming. It means, more or less, “the kid” and was assigned by his early team boss, the former F1 dreiver Adrian Campos. I’d say it0s the most representative.
Then on the fun zone, there are two very significant ones. “El Bocas” “Lloronso”
First is something like “Sachmo” and means big mouth, both in literal sense and for the fact of being particularly unopportune on what he says, something on which we must admit that Fernando excells… Lloronso would mean somewhat like wailer, wailon or moaning. It underlines the ability (seen before on the likes of Jones, Mansell, even Prost, great drivers otherwise) of too much complaining when things were not their way…
Hope this helps.
PS: the professor (le professeur) was in fact assigned by his team (Renault) back in 1983, even before the fuel shortage. I miss in the list things such as Shumacher’s “Kaiser” (again borrowed, from Bekenbauer), Fangio’s “Chueco”, Mansell’s “Our Nige” (good proof of brit irony), or Reutemann’s “El Lole”. Those were teh days!!! :)
Marcel Penzkofer
10th August 2011, 7:15
Michael Schumacher – “Rainmeister”
with “meister” being the german word for “master”. Especially Brundle keeps saying that every time it rains :D.
Kimi Räikkönen – “Iceman”
as already mentioned, maybe the most recognized F1-drivers nickname of the past two decades. The name in fact came up first when he drove his first ever F1-test with Sauber and their team-owner Peter Sauber was stunned by the fact, Kimi was not breathing/out of breath when the radio was on, despite he did so few races in other series before.
Secondly he was given a number of laptimes he had to beat and he succeeded on every task they had thrown at him without showing any emotion.
Sebastian Vettel – “Super-Seb”
Especially in Germany quite often used by his fans. Just the problem that I guess it’s fair to say that it’s rather Sebastien Loeb’s Nickname than Vettel’s.
GameR_K (@gamer_k)
10th August 2011, 7:56
The Flying Giraffe – Justin Wilson, for his 6 foot frame in the Minardi in 2003
Also I remember Murray Walker calling a Japanese driver (probably Ukyo Katayama) the Rainmaster – reason being something about the way he drives in the wet and Japanese weather.
My vote still goes for Iceman
Marco
10th August 2011, 8:23
Some that are not mentioned in the article:
Giusseppe Farina – Il Dottore
Juan Manuel Fangio – El Chueco
Alberto Ascari – Ciccio
Eugenio Castellotti – Il Bello
Peter Collins – Golden Boy
Jack Brabham – Blackie
Jim Clark – The Flying Scot
John Surtees – Il Grande John, John The Great
Denny Hulme – The Bear
Emerson Fittipaldi – Taxi driver from Sao Paulo
Niki Lauda – Computer
Hans Joachim Stuck – Strietzel Stuck
Rubens Barrichello – Tartaruga Rubens
Daniel
10th August 2011, 8:33
In Brazil we used to call Ukyo Katayama, Cata Grama, which means to catch grass because he could never stay on the track. Kinda mean but true
Victor_RO (@victor_ro)
10th August 2011, 8:49
From Perry McCarthy’s book…
Johnny Dumfries – The Earl
Mark Blundell – Mega
Julian Bailey – Grumpy
Damon Hill – Secret Squirrel
Martin Donnelly – Yer Man
Johnny Herbert – Little’un
The author himself – Mad Dog
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
10th August 2011, 9:01
Thanks for all your brilliant suggestions so far, some of which were featured in today’s round-up:
https://www.racefans.net/2011/08/10/108/
Dr. Mouse
10th August 2011, 10:21
I have always thought “Hammy” would be a good name for Hamilton. Obviously it is a shortenning of his surname, and I also think he has rather hamster-like features. However, the main reason is a reference to Hammy in “Over the Hedge”. (If you haven’t seen it, it’s a cartoon film about some woodland creatures who awake after hibernation to find a housing estate has been built in their woods.) He is fast and he is rather nuts at times (Monaco?).
Alex` (@alexf1)
10th August 2011, 10:32
In France we use to call Schumacher, The Red Baron
Oscar Becker (@super_swede_96)
10th August 2011, 10:39
In Grand Prix 3 (the game) Jacques Villeneuve was called John Newhouse!
neworder (@)
10th August 2011, 10:44
Cant believe Thosser isn’t mentioned here!!!
JohnBt
10th August 2011, 11:10
ICEMAN is the best nickname. Suits Kimi really well.
Vettel is now ‘Vettel Finger’ so I heard.
TribalTalker (@tribaltalker)
10th August 2011, 11:11
I love Keith’s constant “it’s in the article” – very patient, very funny. And the Monza Gorilla nickname – brilliant.
Button – Mr Smoothie for obvious reasons, plus it’s the name of a local ice cream truck which often disrupts my Sunday lunchtime TV coverage.
Hamilton – Hand Grenade, for less obvious reasons, explosiveness being one, links with Grenada being another. A win it or bin it weapon.
In MotoGP, Jorge Lorenzo is often referred to as “George Lawrence” by the Sky commentary team. Valentino Rossi is “the Doctor” (il dottore, il campione), Colin Edwards is “the Texan Tornado” and so on…
Damon (@damon)
10th August 2011, 11:28
I like how we called Alguersari Al-Jazeera last year.
C
10th August 2011, 12:01
M. Schumacher we always cal(led)”the Chin” and DC “The Cheek”
Carl
10th August 2011, 13:37
The only nickname you really need to know.
All the others are for those pedestrian drivers, that can’t hold a candle to him, or for past world champions that ought to be returning their paychecks.
The nickname is “Box Office” not because he is always on his way to the stewards office.
But because he is the ultimate showman, all the others are supporting villains.
GameR_K
10th August 2011, 21:09
Box Office Bomb
Joe
10th August 2011, 14:59
Vettel = triviaman because he can’t and won’t pass
slowhand (@slowhand)
10th August 2011, 16:31
Jim Clark – The Flying Scotsman
morningview66
10th August 2011, 23:17
Has’nt anyone mentioned ‘Quick’ Nick Heidfeld.
Though i dont know how much this has applied this year.
Daniel
10th August 2011, 23:25
Didn’t read all comments, so I’m not sure if someone told it already, but my favorite, by far, is the portuguese nickname for Ukyo Katayama, that japanese driver from the 1990’s. It won’t be as funny when translated, but, anyway, I’ll tell it:
Galvão Bueno jokingly called him “Ukyo KATAGRAMA”: “grama” means grass in portuguese and “cata” is from the verb “catar”, used in colloquial language, that means many things like “grab” “take”, “collect”, etc…
In fact, it’s like calling him a “Grass cutting machine” for his notorious off track excursions…
Daniel
10th August 2011, 23:27
Just concluding: saying “Katagrama” instead of “Katayama” is a wordplay called “trocadilho” in portuguese, that means “pun” in English. Forgot to say it, and I know it was obvious from the first message…
JMRGPE (@)
10th August 2011, 23:44
There are names given by others and adopted by the public, and the names we give drivers in our own conversations and writings. My favorites of the widely-used variety (with my nicknames in parentheses):
Schumacher: Rain Meister; Schuey (Schumeister)
Kimi Raikkonen: Iceman (Ice; Kimster; Boat Boy – for Monaco 2006)
Seb Vettel: Wunderkind (Baby Schues)
Nico Rosberg: Britney (Grid Girl)
Jenson Button: Mr. Smoothie
Kamui Kobayashi: Kamui Kamikaze (Kamu)
Eddie Irvine: Irve the Swerve; Steady Eddie (The Fuming Irishman – because he always seemed angry or upset if he wasn’t ahead of Schumi; The Deuce – because he was always a number two driver, and also because he was complete crap when he had opportunities handed to him; Eddie the Ego – for obvious reasons, as well as the similarity to another perennial loser, Eddie the Eagle, of Olympic ski-jumping fame)
Luca Badoer: LookHow BadYouAre
Lewis Hamilton: Jumbo; Ramilton (Hamfisted Hamilton; Loo-ease; Shamilton)
Fernando Alonso: Teflonso (Fergotto All-Rules-O; La Niña)
Mark Webber: (The Blunder from Down Under; Upside-downunder – for his epic flights)
Alain Prost: The Professor (I can’t publish all of my names for him here due to profanity but here’s a taste: The Prostate; Teacher’s Pet – for his constant politicking and The United French Front presented by him and FISA President Balestre whenever things didn’t go his way)
Ayrton Senna: I just call him God!
Sam3110
10th August 2011, 23:45
Custard for Jerome D’Ambrosio
Fat Keith
10th August 2011, 23:55
Timo Glock, known as Tim O’Glock, when driving for Jordan.
Robert Doornbos, Jordan, Minardi, Red Bull, known as Doorknob
Daniel
11th August 2011, 0:20
And another one, offensive, but used in informal taking by F1 Fans, not on TV
“Ruinzinho Barrichello” instead of “Rubinho”
“Ruim” means “Bad” and “ruinzinho” is its diminutive
katederby
11th August 2011, 10:01
Just read this idea; after 3 car flips, a Monaco pool flip and recently back-flips in a helicopter, Red Bull’s driver should be;
Mark “Back-flip” Webber.
Hayo
11th August 2011, 11:09
in the seventies Jochen Mass used to be called Herman the German by his mechanics.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
11th August 2011, 11:18
…and his team mate James Hunt!
Hayo
11th August 2011, 11:26
Jody Scheckter bore the nickname Babybear, apparently for his resemblance to Hulme.
Leadfoot was another nickname for JP Jarier.
Also, we used to call Pier Luigi Martini The Moving Chicane but I’m not sure if it ever was a real nickname on him.
F1Sidewinda (@f1sidewinda)
11th August 2011, 14:13
The Rudderless Russian was an insta-classic to me!
kowalsky
11th August 2011, 14:58
carlos reuteman was nicknamed lole. Eventhough the young fans wouldn’t even have heard of him.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
11th August 2011, 15:02
Where does the name ‘Lole’ come from, anyway?
kowalsky
11th August 2011, 20:45
i once read it but i forgot. It’s no personaly related to the driver. it’s widey used in argentina i am afraid. May be an argentinian reader can put some light into it. Or south american…
Robbie
11th August 2011, 15:27
So many posts that I thought I wouldn’t go thru them all but I just did a quick scan anyway and couldn’t see the one that had me practically rolling on the floor the first time I heard it…
Ralf Schumacher = Half Schumacher
roberto
11th August 2011, 16:02
In Brazil:
Rubens Barrichello = Rubinho Pé de Chinelo (Rubinho Flip-flop)
and also Burrinho Rabichello ( Burrinho = Little donkey)
Emerson Fittipaldi = Rato (Rat, like Niki Lauda)
Schumacher = Dick Vigarista ( dastardly)
Felipe Massa = Zacarias (brazilian comedian of the 80’s… search youtube for “zacarias trapalhoes”)
kowalsky
11th August 2011, 20:27
nelson piquet was called the indian. Can anyone tell me who was called the flying scot?
roberto
12th August 2011, 22:32
i never heard about “Indian”. I think flying Scot was Jim Clark, then Stewart, also some people call Dario Franchitti too.
Schumacher’s “rainmaster”, by the way, was originally applied to Rudolf Caracciola
PT
11th August 2011, 21:52
How about “Babyface” for Felipe Massa? Star Sports commentator Steve Slater used to mention “Jacques Attack” every time Villeneuve crashed into anyone!
PT
11th August 2011, 21:56
I remember Alain Prost say in an interview that the Japanese considered Senna more of a “Samurai” and Prost as a “computer.”
Pink Peril
13th August 2011, 0:30
I have never heard Brabham referred to as Black Jack, but I have heard Jacques Villeneuve referred to by that name. I always thought it was because he was a little dirty.
Gavin
13th August 2011, 17:23
or what about “Checo” for Sergio Perez? i always liked “DC” too
didn’t Montoya have a nickname?
ob1kenobi.23 (@ob1kenobi23)
13th August 2011, 22:11
The original Flying Scotsman was Bob McIntyre, the first man to do the 100 mph lap on IOM TT circuit, though my father used to insist that Jimmy Guthrie had the title first.
I’m not sure if it was Murray who made the famous quote, 1961 I think, “man for man & on his day there is not a being on the planet who can go round the Island quicker than Mac.
I think it was when he very nearly did a 100 mph lap from a standing start on 250 cc Honda.
ob1kenobi.23 (@ob1kenobi23)
13th August 2011, 23:24
Sorry for posting one after the other, but I just remembered something we used to say back in 50s.
There is only Juan Manuel Fangio.
Solo (@solo)
15th August 2011, 15:35
Anyone remembers the “look how bad you are” nickname for Luca Badoer?
Vanessa from Queens
23rd August 2011, 9:45
A personal favourite and a personal creation: Jerome d’Amslowsio.
PT
23rd August 2011, 15:10
Good one, Vanessa.
How about No Rain Karting Man for Narain Karthikeyan?
It doesn’t mean anything significant, but I made it with reference to the fact that Narain has no professional karting experience. He came straight to racing cars in 1992 when he joined the Elf-Winfield racing school in France.
Johnny legg
30th August 2011, 13:57
Bit late but how about:
Murderface maldonado?
Jeez that guys scary, wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley, or on the run down to Eau Rouge. Look out Lewis he’s behind you!
substructure
4th October 2011, 11:58
montoya was called “the monster” im pretty sure
lecho (@lecho)
16th May 2012, 20:27
What about Nelspinho Piquet? :)
Jules (@jayhammy)
20th January 2013, 19:35
Joss da boss in a dutch accent was the best Yeah. Ill leone sounded like mansell was regarded like royalty by the fezza fans.
I liked it when brundle called frentzen harry heinz
Oscar (@oscar)
25th November 2013, 6:29
Carlos Alberto Reutemann: Lole
The nickname “Lole” comes from his childhood. When he was a kid he liked animals a lot, and he used to say he was going to see “lolechone” instead of “los lechones”(the young pigs).
Giancarlo Fisichella: Fisi/Fisico
Michael Schumacher: Schumi/The Kaiser/The Red Baron
Jean Eric Vergne: Jev
Anthony Jenkins
18th July 2014, 12:03
Vittorio Brambilla ( GP winer with MArch. ALso raced for Surtees in the 70s) was Known as ‘The Monza Gorilla’ for his crude tactics and his burly physique.
Jean Pierre Jarrier was ‘Jumper’ Jarrier as apparently that is how Robin Heard’s kids pronounced his first name.
“Clay” Regazzoini was really Giancarlo.
Collin Chapman was “Chunky” , but not to his face.
Anthony Jenkins
18th July 2014, 12:16
Bruno Giacomalli was known as ( and cockpit side lettering had him as) ‘Jack O’Malley” when he was , briefly, with MacLaren and testing
Anthony Jenkins
18th July 2014, 12:18
James Hunt always called teammate Jochen Mass “Herman” ( Short for, Herman the German)
seo
9th March 2015, 14:55
Very good article, pay attention to you
Jonathan Parkin
9th September 2016, 20:18
In the ITV days Gaston Mazzacane was called ‘Marzipan’ by Tony Jardine. Jenson has said he did once have the nickname ‘Choccy’ in his early days as in chocolate button