Does a driver have to be in F1....

[Mr V]

... to be considered the best in the world?

I was watchin the DTM qualifying and Carlton Kirby (iirc) said that Tom Kristianson was without doubt in his top 5 drivers of all time.

"Anyone who wins Le Man's 7 times has to be among the top 5" is what he said, which got me thinking, hence the reason for this thread.

F1 is regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport, but it's not every drivers cup of tea. For over a decade now, Michael Schumacher has been regarded as the best driver in the world. Fwiw, imo, Alfonso now has the upper hand so does that make him the best in the world? But then, how do these 2 drivers compare to say, Sebastian Loeb?

He Joined the WRC circuit in 2002, should have been Champion in 2003 had it not have been for Citroens insistance that he take it easy in the last stage of the last round in the GB rally, thereby giving them the constructors championship and Petter Solberg the title. Won the championship in 2004 and 2005, and seems certain to regain it this year. Also (today) becoming the most successful driver in the history of the sport, taking his 27th win.

So, using these 2 examples (Loeb and Kristianson) how do their successes match up, and should they be regarded as "as good" or "inferior" because they are not in F1?