Top 10 Quotes By Formula One’s Top 10 Drivers!
See what Lewis, Jackie, and Sebastian and more have to say about putting the pedal to the floor!
Cheers Formula 1 fans! It is I, Spyder “Goggles” Darling here with 10 crucial quotes as we gear up for what promises to be another thrilling season of pedal-to-the-metal action and off-track machinations guaranteed to keep you glued to your couch starting with the premiere of Drive To Survive Season 6 last week on NETFLIX (God’s streaming service) and now on to the first race in Bahrain on March 2 and through to what will hopefully be a drivers championship battle to the last lap in Abu Dhabi on December 8. Or at least a close race for second place since Max Verstappen will most likely have won it all by the start of fall. But first let’s ponder some words of wisdom from some of the best drivers to ever grip a steering wheel, shift a gear and hear a crowd’s victory cheer.
- Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton, holder of seven world championship titles and the record for most wins, pole positions and podium finishes.
“In racing there are always things you can learn, every single day. There is always space for improvement, and I think that applies to everything in life.” — Lewis Hamilton
2. Mario Andretti, Italian born and one of only three wheel men to win races in Formula 1, the World Sportscar Championship, and NASCAR. As if that weren’t enough Mario has also won races in midget car and sprint car racing.
“If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.” — Mario Andretti
3. James Simon Wallis Hunt (1947–1993), The late great British racing driver won the Formula One World Driver’s Championship in 1976 and was the played by Chris “Thor” Hemsworth in the 2013 must-see racing movie Rush.
“There’s a lie that all drivers tell themselves. Death is something that happens to other people, and that’s how you find the courage to get in the car in the first place. The closer you are to death the more alive you feel. But more powerful than fear itself, is the will to win.” — James Hunt
4. Andreas Nikolaus “Niki” Lauda (1949–2019), The late Austrian great was a three-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion, having won in 1975, 1977 and 1984. Lauda who was sometimes known by the nicknames “the Rat”, “Super Rat” and “King Rat” because of his buck teeth, is also the only driver in Formula One history to have won championships for both Ferrari and McLaren.
“A lot of people criticize Formula 1 as an unnecessary risk. But what would life be like if we only did what is necessary?” — Niki Lauda
5. Ayrton Senna da Silva (1960–1994), The late Brazilian great was was another three-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion, having won in 1988, 1990 and 1991. Senna is also one of three Formula One drivers from Brazil to win the World Championship. Senna AKA the “Rain Master” secured 65 pole positions and won 41 Grands Prix. Tragically, Senna died as a result of an accident while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix for the Williams team.
“If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver.” — Ayrton Senna
6. Alain Marie Pascal Prost, France’s finest is a four time F1 World Drivers’ Champion and held the record for the most Grand Prix wins (51) until Michael Schumacher surpassed that with a victory at the 2001 Belgian Granx Prix. Fun fact: Prost was called “The Tadpole” by his British teammates because he too small to be a frog.
“Does it scare me, driving into nothing at 300 KPH? Of course it does. I’m not an idiot.” — Alain Prost
7. Michael Schumacher Sr., Germany’s baron of the autobahn is tied with Lewis Hamilton for the most all time World Drivers’ Championship titles with seven. At the time of his retirement in 2012 “Schumi” held records for the most wins, pole positions and podium finishes, all of which have since been broken by Sir Lewis. Herr Schumacher does however still hold the record for consecutive Drivers’ Championships and total fastest laps.
“Sometimes minor details can have a huge impact. If you don’t devote 100 percent of your efforts to every detail, you immediately run into difficulties.” — Michael Schumacher
8. Emerson Fittipaldi, The second Brazillian in this quotation collection, Fittipaldi is notable for having won the both the Formula One World Drivers Championship and the Indy 500, twice. “Emmo” was only 25 at the time of his 1972 F1 title which made him the youngest driver ever do so, a record that stood for 33 years. He two of the best sideburns outside of Graceland.
“I do not speak the English so good, but then I speak the driving very well.” — Emerson Fittipaldi
9. Sebastian Vettel, Zee second German on ziss list, is one of the most successful drivers in Formula One history and has won four World Drivers’ Championships, consecutively no less, from 2010 to 2013 and all with Red Bull. Vettel AKA “The Finger” for his one finger podium salute, is the current holder of youngest driver champion honors.
“When you walk the track and you see a corner and realise you were going round it at 160mph, you wonder who could be so stupid to take a corner at that speed. But in the car, you don’t even think about that.” — Sebastian Vettel
10. Sir John Young “Jackie” Stewart, The third UK entry on this bloody list, Sir Jackie raced in Formula One between 1965 and 1973, won three World Drivers’ Championships and twice finished as runner-up. “The Flying Scot” was the only British driver to win three championships until Lewis Hamilton earned his third in 2015. Stewart is also the subject of the damned good ESPN 30 For 30 documentary Stewart. Be sure to take the trailer below his quote for a spin.
“In my sport, the quick are too often listed among the dead.” — Jackie Stewart
Okay folks, that should be enough quotes to inspire a round or three of lively chatter around the paddock, VIP lounge, or in the comfort of your home while waiting for the “Lights out and away we go!” from everyone’s favorite F1 commentator David “Crofty” Croft.
Until next time remember: safety first. As the late, great actor and race driver James Dean eerily said shortly before his own fatal accident, “Take it easy driving. The life you might save might be mine.”
By the way, thanks a cool million for reading. What did you think of the collection and which quote was your favorite? Please let me know with a comment below and don’t forget to subscribe and all that jive!
Finally (I’m not kidding this time) it would really be divine if you would be so kind as to follow me on X/Twitter and Instagram!
© 2024 by Spyder Darling
