Great drivers are truly magical. They’re eye-opening, jaw-dropping, sensational, and extraordinary people. Their demeanor, outlook on life, and physical performance tantalizes curiosity and bestows heaps of excitement to those who have the privilege of witnessing it. They think and feel about driving in a way that wouldn’t make sense to others. They know they have a knowledge and understanding that speed on a race track is always just outside the lines of physics.
Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna streaked through the sport like a comet, an other-worldly superstar whose brilliance as a driver was matched by a dazzling intellect and coruscating charisma that illuminated Formula One racing as never before. No one tried harder or pushed himself further, nor did anyone shed so much light on the extremes to which only the most significant drivers go. Intensely introspective and passionate in the extreme, Senna endlessly sought to extend his limits, to go faster than himself, a quest that ultimately made him a force with a distinguished mystique.
The fierce, lavishly styled Brazillian is widely considered the most iconic figure in Formula 1. Motor racing was spiritual for Senna, and the Monaco Grand Prix was his sanctuary: a significant race in a significant place for a significant driver.
Five-time winner Graham Hill was the life and soul of this Mediterranean principality and, therefore, will forever be Mr. Monaco.
Six-time winner Ayrton Senna was its Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Marc Marquez
Is Marc Marquez the best? Well despite still only being 29 years old, Marquez is widely considered to be one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time. The statistics certainly back that up with 8 world titles, 82 wins and 134 podiums to his name, those last two figures being the fourth and sixth highest, respectively, of all time.
Marquez stated “When you have butterflies, and you’re feeling anxious, and you have anxiety or are nervous, that’s when you’re most threatening. A lot of people, instead of honing this power and using it, they allow it to just consume them; you see, my aim is not to survive but to be thrown to the wolfs with adrenaline still pumping in my veins and hear the gods laughing, saying “that was one hell of a kid” and everything I do I do in order to push my senses and levels of natural ecstasy. I want to be so awake that I pass out from exhaustion every night with a smile, and my only thoughts are of the race tomorrow because today was all I could make of it at 225MPH.” -Marc Marquez
Johnny O'Connell
In the eyes of many, Johnny O’Connell is the premier American Corvette race car driver of his generation and one of the most successful sports car racing drivers of the modern era. 4 times winner 24 hours Le Mans, 8 times winner 12 hours Sebring, Sebring Hall of Fame, 3 times GT-champion, 4 times PWC champion. His aggressive driving style makes him incredibly fast, and he has often been compared to the likes of legendary Dale Earnhardt. The Intimidator. When the helmet goes on, Johnny is a lion.
O’Connell always believed in “fast in, fast out.” Because, after all, who the hell said we have to go slow? It’s well-defined that: O’Connell brakes at precisely the right time during every corner and every lap. Johnny has always been ridiculously fast and quick to be quick. He has such a great understanding and feels of grip levels. “I am a race car driver. I’m a racer: that’s what I do. With the throttle wide open, let’s burn some fuel.” -Johnny O’Connell
Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi was always a brilliant racer – one of the best ever, natural talent combined with an iron will. The only rider in history to win 125, 250, 500 and MotoGP™ World Championships, Valentino Rossi dominated MotoGP™ with first Honda and then Yamaha, taking the crown five times in a row.
But Valentino was so much more than that: Rossi is a gigantic character – unpredictable, witty, self-assured, and mischievous. A one-off with a rascal sense of fun, who shares his joie-de-vivre and his devilment and did more than illuminate sport with it.
Rossi’s charisma took motorcycle Grand Prix racing by the scruff and held it to world scrutiny, bringing himself and his sport to the attention of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide who, without him, would probably not even have noticed it.
Dan Gurney
Dan Gurney, one of the sport’s greatest innovators and free-thinking spirits, as well as a world-class driver who survived and excelled in one of racing’s most deadly eras, was feared by every other driver on race day.
Dan Gurney’s engineering acumen, his quest for innovative solutions, his can-do attitude, and his constant drive should never overshadow his magnificent ability behind the wheel. Gurney wasn’t just one of the greatest racers America has ever produced; he is one of the most significant drivers of all time. Jimmy Clark famously described Gurney as the only rival he feared, and that is an endorsement that transcends most trophies.
Testimonials
It changes from track-to-track, but when you are behind someone, you know after a few laps where they are weaker and stronger around the lap. You try to position yourself in the best possible way to attack them at a point they don't expect or at the point that they are just not as strong as you. That's how you try to get past.
These things bring you to reality as to how fragile you are; at the same moment you are doing something that nobody else is able to do. The same moment that you are seen as the best, the fastest and somebody that cannot be touched, you are enormously fragile.
I don't know driving in another way which isn't risky. Each one has to improve himself. Each driver has its limit. My limit is a little bit further than other's.
Ayrton was our toughest rival. He would leave no stone unturned to get the utmost out of his car and his team.