Ranking Formula 1s Greatest Driver Nicknames. Simon BrutyGetty Images. Alain Prosts nickname is arguably the most complimentary of any Formula One driver. Sample Websphere Ear File. The Professor moniker is a reference to the four time world champions extensive repertoire and how he would use tactics, politics and mind gamesas well as raw paceto beat his more naive, but perhaps faster, rivals. Prosts close relationship with Jean Marie Balestre, his compatriot and former FIA president, gave him an advantage in the political arena, although his abrasive personality meant he could often be a source of friction within his own teams. His rivalry with Ayrton Senna, the three time world champion, is the most obvious example of this. Prost performed perhaps his most memorable mind game on Senna in the 1. Monaco Grand Prix, dramatically increasing his pace just as Senna, the race leader, eased his own. The Frenchmans quick lap times encouraged Senna to hit back, but in doing so the Brazilian crashed, handing Prost the victory. In a sport which requires brain and brawn, Prostunlike many of his peershad both in abundance. Lewis Hamilton the greatest F1 driver in history Comparisons between sporting greats are fatuous, because the big names all had different challenges to deal with in their respective eras. But well light the blue touch paper and give it a go anyway. Scoring his fourth world championship in Mexico last weekend cements Lewis Hamiltons status as the most successful British racing driver of all time, and surely moves him into the top five Formula One talents in motor racing history. But could he be the greatest ever Well, who would you rank alongside himGreatest F1 Drivers Bbc SportsBeardy students of F1 usually cite Juan Fangio, Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart and Jim Clark, all of whom were blessed with a skill so sublime it was surely gifted from whichever deity you believe in, combined with the awesome doggedness and guile of the true racer. They also competed in an era when there was no controversy, to give one example, about breaching track limits because if you did that you were probably toast. Many of their friends and rivals did check out, of course, which might offer another index of their brilliance to win a race over which the ghastly pall of death had descended must have focused the mind. Moss once told me that risk was a big motivator, the salt in the chili. People are rarely that honest these days, but there was a gleam in his eye when he said it, believe me. Watch a 1. 95. 0s Grand Prix now and tell me you dont feel the same frisson, even when tragedy was waiting round the next corner. Clearly, we have to add Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher to the five above. Senna has been practically canonised, and his movie star charisma only helped burnish his outrageous skill behind the wheel. That debut win in Portugal in 1. Monaco pole lap in 8. Alain Prost and later admitted he was driving out of his skin, beyond his mortal limits his legend is irresistible, untouchable. But he could also be gripped by the hubris that afflicts so many otherwise great historical or sporting figures. Greatest F1 Drivers Bbc Farsi' title='Greatest F1 Drivers Bbc Farsi' />Prost declared that while Senna was apparently prepared to die in the course of battle, he most certainly wasnt. Prost won as slowly as possible, Senna as flamboyantly. The Frenchman won four world titles, the Brazilian three. Greatest F1 Drivers Bbc America' title='Greatest F1 Drivers Bbc America' />Yet were still waiting for that film about Alain Prost. Schumachers record remains the one that Lewis, if he truly cares about such things, has to eclipse. Lewis has won 6. 2 GPs so far, Michael a still astonishing 9. Lewiss four. Along with Jean Todt and Ross Brawn, Michael was part of the triumvirate who successfully kept the self defeating, behind closed doors politicking of Maranello at bay, to record a winning streak for F1s most glamorous team that Mercedes still has to beat. Like Senna, Schumachers innate talent was underpinned by an unattractive ruthlessness, for this was a driver who almost ran his own brother into the wall at 1. Make no bones about it Lewis Hamilton is a megastar, the kid from Stevenage who made it to the top of one of the worlds most highly pressurised and glamorous sports. Yet Michael remains the F1 lode star, a master manipulator, genius and a fighter. And for all those who still write him off as an unbearably entitled German, he was charming company, fascinating to interview, funny and generous. It breaks my heart to think of him currently having to fight harder than anyone should ever have to, just to stay alive. Which brings us back to Lewis, and perhaps the biggest problem he faces perception. Or more accurately, how other people perceive him. Following Sundays race, Brazilian footballer Neymar sent his best over the team radio, and others were quick to congratulate him. Make no bones about it Lewis Hamilton is a megastar, the kid from Stevenage who made it to the top of one of the worlds most highly pressurised and glamorous sports. He has it all the Senna esque one lap quali touch that leaves his rivals gasping, phenomenal race craft, and unbelievable natural speed. The word is that Mercedes is ready to renew his contract in a three year deal thatll be worth a total of 1. Wow. F1s owners Liberty Media also know that Lewis is box office dynamite. So why dont we love him more Dissecting brand Lewis Hamilton has led plenty of commentators into murky waters, and the fact is that his kinship with LAs hip hop fraternity and image management simply doesnt sit well with racing fans who prefer their F1 drivers to conform to an altogether different stereotype. You fill in the gaps. Frankly, this is utter nonsense. Firstly, the guy can wear what he likes. Secondly, Lewis being Lewis is surely a positive thing for a sport that needs to modernise even faster than its new owners are committed to doing. With an empty airstrip and eleven of the best drivers cars in the world, we put on the worlds greatest drag race. Read the entire 2011 Best Drivers Car. Highlights of the Spanish GP, where Lewis Hamilton wins a spectacular race. Formula One racing is the most popular motorsport in the world, and the series has crowned 66 champions over the years. The legacies of its top drivers are hotly. Finally, since we spend enough time moaning that there are no characters left in F1, why moan even louder when one actually emerges Besides, when he delivers on the track in the way that Lewis does, who gives a toss what sort of extra curricular activities are going on. Oficialno_Mixael_SHumaxer_vozvrashhaetsya_v_Formulu1.jpg' alt='Greatest F1 Drivers Bbc Sport' title='Greatest F1 Drivers Bbc Sport' />AUTOSPORT presents the top 40 greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time as voted by over 200 drivers who have raced in the Formula 1 world championship. Formula 1s greatest drivers. Number 4 Michael Schumacher. BBC Sport profiled 20 of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all. The BBC is not responsible for the. Fernando Alonso said the prerace drivers presentation at the United States Grand Prix was a bad copy of the introduction used at the Indianapolis 500. Formula One also Formula 1 or F1 and officially the FIA Formula One World Championship is the highest class of singleseat auto racing that is sanctioned by the. Thats not to say Hamilton isnt without his foibles. He can be a prickly character, and as someone who has interviewed him on numerous occasions during the past decade, Ive found myself on the wrong end of moody Lewis more than once. Keith Richards used to say that Mick Jagger was a lovely bunch of guys, and theres a bit of that to Lewis Hamilton. You can never be sure which one is going to turn up. Some drivers dont mind the rigmarole of interviews and media engagements others are less skilful at hiding their contempt for this part of the process. Dont be surprised if Lewiss new Merc mega deal severely ring fences media and marketing days. Heres the thing Lewis wears his heart on his sleeve. Sometimes its to his detriment, on others its hugely refreshing. Ultimately, we are lucky to be around to watch such a genuinely stellar British talent do his thing in the sport we love. The rest is just noise.