What was the best line-up in F1 history?
Senna-Prost: the most iconic duo (or rather duel) in F1 history is the answer that immediately comes to mind.
In fact, the two men were teammates at McLaren F1 from 1988 – teammates who quickly became legendary rivals, as we know.
This year, Ferrari will also be able to count on a formidable line-up bringing together Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton is also teaming up with George Russell this year, and started in F1 at McLaren F1 alongside Fernando Alonso.
In history, other line-ups have also been legendary. The one between Fangio and Moss at Mercedes. Or between Clark and Graham Hill at Lotus. Lauda and Prost were also teammates at McLaren F1, while the Nico Rosberg-Lewis Hamilton pair competed in F1 between 2014 and 2016.
But for Eddie Jordan, it is clear: Prost-Senna, there will probably no longer be a better line-up…
“The Prost-Senna partnership will probably go down as the most important in F1 history. »
“Because they were so brilliantly talented. »
“Prost won four world titles, of course Senna won a bunch (three) too and they were incredibly fast. »
As for Michael Schumacher? For David Coulthard, he was of course an extraordinary driver, but never really had a driver at his level, apart from perhaps Nico Rosberg at Mercedes F1.
“Michael Schumacher was teaming up with Eddie Irvine, Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa for most of that period, and although Felipe came close to winning a title, it wasn’t the case when Michael was there, you won’t really remember none of his teammates. »
“If I look at the great line-ups in history, I think when I first became interested in Formula 1, it was around [Nelson] Piquet, [Nigel] Mansell, then Prost/Senna, I think it was the most explosive duo. »
“These guys didn’t win championships when Michael wasn’t there” confirms Eddie Jordan about Massa or Irvine.
Michael Schumacher didn’t want Irvine to win the title in 1999?
And Eddie Jordan even has a theory about 1999, when Michael Schumacher came back from injury (photo below) to help Irvine win the drivers’ title against Mika Hakkinen…
“In 1999, Michael came back after his crash at Silverstone and his broken leg, and told everyone he was coming back to help Eddie Irvine win the championship. That’s not what he did. »
“He did everything he could because he didn’t want Ferrari to win the championship with another driver than him. That’s what I believe and that’s what Irvine believes. »
“When you look at the way he handled the race and Suzuka, he didn’t do anything to help Eddie, whereas I think Mika Hakkinen was the champion. Everyone was happy because I think he deserved the title. »
“Michael was always a difficult teammate because even though he had Massa, Rubens Barrichello and Irvine, all great teammates, they all knew what to expect. »
“I never liked it, I have to tell you. »
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