[Driver] The GOAT - Round Three - Brabham vs Prost

[crmalcolm]

The seventh match-up in Round Three sees Brabham vs Prost.

Brabham was victorious 11-5 in the second round, whilst Prost took a 10-4 victory.

So who do you vote for as the greater driver?

Jack Brabham
Jack Brabham was not the ultimate quickest driver of his generation, his performances wavering greatly between seasons, but the mark he left on the sport is among the most significant and indelible of any driver.

The team that Brabham developed became one of the F1 powerhouses, winning 35 races (including eight 1-2s), two constructors’ titles, and four drivers’ titles. Most remarkably, Brabham won a championship in a car of his own construction in 1966, aged 40. This is a feat unlikely to ever be replicated in F1.

Brabham’s season performances are curiously depressed across the period 1961-1965. This corresponds to the period in which F1 used a smaller engine formula, resulting in less powerful cars, perhaps not suiting Brabham’s style. However, it also a period in which Brabham was keenly focused on the development of his own team.

In direct head-to-heads, Brabham was beaten by several other greats of his era, including Jim Clark, Dan Gurney, Jochen Rindt, and Jacky Ickx. But at his absolute best, in the period 1959-1960 (when racing was his sole focus), the only driver on the grid who was clearly quicker was Stirling Moss.

Alain Prost
Prost was in many ways the natural complement to Senna. Not as fearsome over a single lap, nor anywhere near as adept as Ayrton Senna in wet conditions, but surer of head and a more consistent and relentless performer under race conditions. The fact that the two drivers were so finely balanced despite their clearly differing skills and deficits was an exemplar of the boxing adage ‘styles make fights’. Had either driver been the complete package, their match-up would have been far less interesting.

Looking at Prost’s teammates, it is remarkable to note that he was never outperformed by any regular teammate in terms of points per counting race. This is a particularly impressive record, considering he faced five other champions.

[FIRE]

Prost

[Racing Harz]

Tricky. But for me Brabs.

[Aysedasi]

I confess I went Brabs too....

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I confess I went Brabs too....

Well you would

I went Prost. Cheers.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Well you would

Yeah maybe. But my feelings about the Professor have mellowed over the years.....

[chunterer]

Prost

[S griffin]

Prost. Brabham is somewhat underrated by history, despite his three world titles. However Prost was a more complete driver. He rarely made mistakes, unlike Brabham, who sometimes forgot to change gear!

[morninggents]

It has to be Prost, sadly.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by morninggents

It has to be Prost, sadly.