THE FIFTEEN GOATS! Creating an Exclusive Hall of Fame for Racing Drivers

As it's the last video (probably) before Christmas, I thought I'd do something fun. There's an official FIA Hall of Fame, with the initial inductees being the then-33 winners of the F1 World Championship. From Farinia up to Hamilton. Well, Rosberg but it was 2017 so Hamilton was the latest winner... Sort of...
But- While there is this Hall of Fame, there's always those we put on a higher pedestal. The absolute immortals of racing. So what if those ones had their own special VIP lounge where it will be highly unlikely another driver gets to enter, at least for another ten or fifteen years. An exclusive club of fifteen drivers that you've got to be very special to enter.
So with that, I've done the ones that everyone is likely to say, and then added four more for that fifteen. So who's on the guest list? Let's find out.
Enjoy! And remember to like and subscribe for more!
AFFILIATES:
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[@AidanMillward]

So who did I forget then?

[@robertstone9988]

You are a brave one for this😂 haven't even watched the video yet but I already know the comments are going to be on fire

[@ltdada74]

Walter Röhrl.

[@jackfoster3652]

One of the NASCAR drivers. Petty, Gordon, ect

[@tintop550]

Moss

[@MalcolmCraigHistorian]

Can't disagree with any of the inclusions. I would make a case for one of the great sports car drivers beyond Ickx (and I have no arguments at all about his inclusion). Pick one of Al Holbert (outstanding driver, engineer, and team owner), Hurley Haywood (so many Daytona wins, Le Mans, Sebring, and all the rest), Derek Bell (need I say more?), or the already mentioned Tom Kristensen (hard to look past 9 Le Mans victories). There's any good case to be made for any of them.

[@azapro911]

In an age where past and present female success in sport gets hugely emphasised, Michele Mouton being completely ignored is absolutely bewildering. She was among the best in the business during rallying's toughest era, quitting in protest that it was becoming too safe.

[@jekorame]

Alessandro Zanardi, his racing accolades might not be enough but the way he came back after losing his legs is just something else.

[@nolancain8792]

Also going through TWO comas.

[@matthewbarber13]

Great shout

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

@@nolancain8792 and gaining an inch of height after a crash at Spa.

[@danesorensen1775]

Seconded, losing two legs horribly, coming with seconds of death and deciding this was INSUFFICIENT REASON to give up racing? Absolute legend and personal hero of mine.

[@matthewbarber13]

@@danesorensen1775 Zinardi appreciation posts - loving this!

[@scottmiller1531]

AJ Foyt also won 2 of his 500s in a car he built, and his 1977 win, was with his own engine. Dan Gurney also belongs there. His contributions, among others, span across the range of motorsport, from construction (his own car and engine), to influence (pairing Ford and Lotus)

[@crazydrummer181]

You still regularly hear Gurney’s name in F1 tech talks.

[@AidanMillward]

Gurney flap is definitely a future video idea

[@charlesvaughan3517]

Pikes peak as well

[@basher20]

I don't think that Gurney makes it as a driver, but if you have a category that includes overall contributions to motorsports, he goes into the American contingent with Roger Penske, Carroll Shelby, Smokey Yunick, and the Woods Brothers.

[@scottmiller1531]

@@basher20Gurney is generally a tough one. His versatility and ability was second to none (wins in F1, Indycar, NASCAR, and sports cars), but reliability let him down often, and his career was fairly short. Overall. Wilbur Shaw also had an immense influence out of the cockpit. IMS would be a housing development in NW Indianapolis if not for him.

[@daveblock4061]

Think of Sir Jackie Stewart as you will, but he is the only one alive who either drove against or knew all F1 drivers since the beginning. He puts Fangio just ahead of Clark. One of my racing memories is sitting in Derek Bell's 962 at Al Holbert's Porsche NA shop and meeting and getting the autographs of Kimi Raikkonen and Seb Vettel.

[@AidanMillward]

Only one of his mates still alive as well. Must have been a horrendous time for him in the 60s.

[@daveblock4061]

@@AidanMillward I am sure you have seen the interviews of him at home with memorials to all of them on benches in his garden. Clark and Cevert must have been the most devastating.

[@MalcolmCraigHistorian]

I'm probably misquoting badly, but I think Derek Bell said something along the lines of "I was good, but Al Holbert was better." Praise indeed! Although, I think both Bell and Holbert are great and would find it incredibly difficult to choose between the two.

[@jimiverson3085]

@@daveblock4061 Rindt and Piers Courage were also close friends (he has stated that Rindt was his best friend) and neighbors of Stewart in Switzerland. He is very frank in talking about the reasons he kept driving - mainly because he didn't see any other way he could provide for his family. I think that his childhood dyslexia had left him convinced he was worthless for employment and it was racing or poverty.

[@azapro911]

Stewart's legacy on and off the track is enormous, a lot more drivers would be dead without the influence he exerted at a time when safety was sneered at as weakness. It's just a shame that he blatantly tries to undermine Hamilton's abilities, likely because he and Jimmy got surpassed by an Englishman (irony being that Clark wouldn't give a stuff) and also because LH idolises Senna, who Jackie didn't like.

[@Opmarketgarden1944]

I would create a wing for special contribution but not as a driver. My first pick for that would be Murray Walker involved with commentary for over 50 years most of which was done in his spare time. The voice of F1 and so many other categories not just the UK but across the globe.

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

Not only for F1, or even cars. He was a passionate biker! Commentated on the IOMTT, Superbikes (or the equivalent class titles - they keep changing even if the bikes don't). Totally agree with you though. I grew up with his voice - literally. From the early 70s (though I undoubtedly heard it first at the start of the 66 season, I don't remember it!) until he retired. He might not have always been _right,_ but he was _always_ passionate. Hearing him even now will both rev my adrenaline up and bring a lump to my throat.

[@gchampi2]

My nomination for the Special Contributions section - John Fitch. His contribution? The Fitch Inertial Safety Barrier, AKA those yellow plastic bins full of sand that are used to protect pit entries & solid bits of road hardware. Fitch was a teammate to Pierre Levegh @ Mercedes in '55, and was inspired to make motorsports and public roads a little safer, by coming up with a way to protect cars (& drivers) from roadside hazards like bridge abutments, the ends of crash or lane barriers, or pit walls. More importantly, he came up with something that is both cheap and easy to replace - which was important, as it meant that Fitch Barriers got used everywhere, saving lives worldwide, to the tune of some 30,000+ lives saved since their debut...

[@minibus9]

100% agree with that

[@matthewbarber13]

For all who grew up with f1 and other motorsports in the UK, you can’t not think of Murray Walker. Man was loved inside the sport just as much as he was by the viewers. What a legend!

[@JohnSmithShields]

Sid Watkins

[@RubyRoks]

I don't think he'd make the VIP room, but someone who'd be in WhatCulture and WatchMojo lists for those who should be in it would be Juan Pablo Montoya for his multi-discipline consistency. Being a CART champion, IMSA Sportscar Champion, having won the Indy 500 twice, and having multiple wins in F1 and NASCAR in the eras of Michael Schumacher and Jimmie Johnson respectively is an impressive resume that few can match or best.

[@sebastianahrens2385]

Good pick. Montoya, Räikkönen and a few others are probably part of the group of people who just didn't make it, due to the bar being set so high by the people that did. Alonso might be in that group OR in the actual room, and if Max Verstappen continues his reign there's no way he's not going to be in there sooner or later as well.

[@crusherbmx]

Jackie Ickx is one of those ubiquitous names that people rarely talk about. You know he was there, you know he won and you know he's a legend, but nobody says "Ya, I was a big Jackie Ickx fan back in the day."

[@carlosbarton763]

Mouton is an excellent pick, Albon (not that one!) did a great video about her career which gave a lot of insight I was unaware of

[@calebstuart1335]

IMO you could make a decent case for Scott Dixon, not many poeple have been at the top of a series for over 20 years, never mind one as competitive as IndyCar

[@BungleBare]

For the bulk of Dixon’s Indycar career he’s been in a more-or-less spec series. Meaning at best a MINIMAL car advantage over his competitors. And yet he’s still winning races, and most years has a tilt at the title.

[@RobertoMcQuack]

Dixon is the Alonso of indycar

[@bladeshad0w284]

Came here to make the same comment.

[@aojracing4885]

This is a great pick, and during these 20+ years he's been quite successful in endurance racing as well, even if it wasn't his main occupation.

[@Sushi227]

Dixon should be a lead candidate for the smartest driver of all time.

[@benjaminbrockway5998]

Tony Stewart: one of the only guys to make the jump from IndyCar to NASCAR in the modern era and win championships in both disciplines. Dale Sr. and Jimmie Johnson: 7 time Cup champions in eras with a remotely sane championship formats (if you think the Chase/Playoffs is stupid, look at what it was like when Petty was winning everything) Jeff Gordon: he is Jeff Gordon.

[@pendremacherald6758]

I love you didn’t need to justify Jeff Gordon.

[@leghumper83]

Not a Stewart fan, but he’s also winning in NHRA presently and looked handy in an F1 car (he swapped rides with Button at Indy)

[@benjaminbrockway5998]

@@leghumper83 I forgot about his current NHRA run. Yeah, arguably the most versatile driver of this century thus far, with MAYBE Kyle Larson on track to attempt to match him.

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

@@pendremacherald6758 Gordon's IMSA drives certainly shouldn't be overlooked.

[@jetdriver]

So what was wonky about winning the championships etc in Petty’s era?

[@filipposstavro1233]

I mean I agree with most of it, but this list should include Fernando Alonso and Dale Earnhardt Sr. Especialy Alonso. F1 WDC , WEC DC, 24H Daytona winner, almost won Indy in his 1st attempt, one Dakkar attempt. And not to mention he is still MIGHTY at 42 years of age. Really should be in there. As for Dale Sr well , he is the NASCAR Goat. But Fernando not being in there I think imho is wrong. Great list overall tho. Cheers mate.

[@jirivavra4272]

I wholeheartedly agree.

[@alaeriia01]

I was going to say, Dale Earnhardt had seven world championships as well. If Lewis is in, then Dale is in.

[@AidanMillward]

@@alaeriia01 Nascar titles are world titles now?

[@alaeriia01]

@@AidanMillward They do one race in Mexico. If having one team in Toronto makes MLB a "world series", then that should count.

[@joelambert7128]

@@alaeriia01 nobody outside the US will be willing to entertain the delusion that the Fall Classic constitutes a world title.

[@dantuttle2050]

Mark Donohue. Although his Formula 1 career was cut short, his list of accomplishment rival many on this list.

[@formulafish1536]

I’m glad Jackie Ickx is here. No one has adapted to everything as well as him. Sports Cars, F1, Touring Cars, and Production Car wins. Man is the only one listed to win the Bathurst 1000, and probably the highest profile driver to win the race. Add in his Le Mans, F1 and other various successes, he would have to be the most adaptable driver of his time

[@InfiNoob]

This is a way out there addition, and likely too early, but Max Verstappen should be a consideration. Unless the unfathomable happens, he will supplant someone on this list. He also has a monsterous CV in the Sim Racing world, which is already showing he's not just a one trick pony. It's also pretty much a lock that he will drive other real-world cars later in his career. It's scary to think about what he could eventually accomplish.

[@Sushi227]

I think sim racing could be a good substitute for the drivers who excelled at different disciplines in the past. All the opportunity to show your chops in a variety of different cars, tracks, and surfaces, with zero risk.

[@richy69ify]

Certain egos aren't ready to accept Max yet. What he did in the 3rd best car particularly in 2018, puts him higher than the likes of Rosberg and Hamilton who were/are mediocre in 3rd best cars. Also Max's 2023 season is probably the most flawless in history.

[@cvulp5993]

It should also be noted how some of these drivers that drove in many disciplines and had careers spanning multiple decades (Foyt, Andretti, Ickx, etc.) started their careers driving cars that would look antiquated at the end of their careers. Andretti for example started his professional career in USAC driving a bathtub with non-slick tires and no downforce, and ended it driving a high downforce 230+mph race car in 1994. He even won his last race the year before in 1993. They experience groundbreaking advances in technology, and adapted to the increased physical and mental demands the newer and faster machines forced upon them

[@wentonmastermind]

Rudolf Caracciola for his dominance of European motor racing (won Tazio Nuvolari wasn't winning), A J Foyt (Indy and Le Mans), Jacky Ickx (Le Mans six times plus F1), Vic Elford for sheer variety of machinery. Best wishes!

[@tbone121974]

This one's a little left field as he didn't race at all, but when you think of his voice, you immediately hear a screaming v10 going past the commentary box. Murray Walker. To me the voice of F1 and many other racing disciplines. If motor racing had a cool wall, Murray would be in the fridge at the end.

[@sh33pyyy]

Loved seeing Tazio get a mention :)

[@karlmoltzan6196]

The King of NASCAR Richard Petty. First driver with 7 championships, 7 Daytona 500 wins, 27 wins in 1967(most ever), 200 wins total in NASCAR a record that will never be broken in Cup series.

[@Holden308]

Did you know?? Like Foyt and Andretti in America, Jack Brabham wasn't just a road racer, he actually got his motor racing start in dirt track speedway racing what American's call midgets, but in Australia they are known as speedcar's. Before Jack got into road racing, he won the Australian Speedcar Championship 4 times between 1948 and 1953. Not bad given that he was actually a rookie driver in 1948 having only previously been a mechanic who thought the drivers were "all lunatics" as on average 2-3 drivers were killed in crashes each season (at each track.....) until roll cages finally started appearing in the early 1970s. He also won the New South Wales and South Australian State Speedcar titles on multiple occasions. After his return to Australia to live in 1971, Jack mostly drove either production touring cars, usually just in the Bathurst 1000, with moderate success (he was more interested in supporting Geoff's growing career at that stage) with the occasional foray into Australian and international sports car racing until his final retirement at the end of 1984.

[@ianwynne764]

Hello Aidan: Your remark about Sebastian Loeb ruining rallying gave me a good laugh. Sebastian certainly ruined life for Mikko Hirvonen. Mikko's only failing was having to race against Sebastian. Have a lovely day.

[@AidanMillward]

Being a Richard Burns fan that stopped watching in 2004 I missed NOTHING in the grand scheme of things. If you’re that dominant you can bust your shoulder and still win without turning up you’re too damn good 🤣

[@danesorensen1775]

My favourite Foyt story is taking pole for a USAC race at the Milwaukee Mile in 1965 - even though, due to a stuff-up, he was in an upright dirt car rather than a low-slung Indy roadster. I don't like the guy, but there's no doubt about his driving. My suggestion is Big Pete Geoghegen. Niche for sure, but I think his reputation is fading a bit in the age of KZbin because most of his career happened before the cameras arrived. Just to give you a taste: John Sheppard was managing the Holden Dealer Team when Peter Brock won by a record six laps. At the big awards ceremony after, when Sheppard was accepting the trophy, one of the journos asked if Brock was the best driver he'd ever worked with. Sheppard stared through the glare of the stage lights and made eye contact with Pete, his old boss, his talent now well and truly lost to the whisky, then pressed his lips to the microphone and said simpy and honestly, "No." A big call under the circumstances, but those in the know tend to agree.

[@markwaddington5651]

Jack brabham. Only person to ever win the F1 title in a car he designed

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

He owned it but it was Ron Tauranac (the 'T' in BT) who designed the car.

[@ImBarryScottCSS]

Its ya boi big Jim, JC himself, the flying Scotsman, Mr 997 NUR. The GOAT.

[@blijvendvertrek]

Aidan, it's been a year now, to the day, that I've been watching your work - I remember it well, because I spent last Christmas in bed with the flu and listening to your videos was the only thing I had the energy for. Thanks for your great stories! Wishing you all the best for 2024.

[@GreenHornet553]

My picks to round out the list are as follows: AJ Foyt - 7x IndyCar champion, 4x Indy 500 winner, 1967 24 Hrs of Le Mans winner, 2x Daytona 24 Hr winner, 1972 Daytona 500 winner, and so on. If there was a big race to win, the man they nicknamed Super Tex was always a factor in those races. No one showed up like Foyt when the chips were down and it was all on the line. Jamie Whincup - the man who dominated racing down under, Whincup's Bathurst 12 Hours win and four Bathurst 1000 wins alongside his seven V8 Supercar titles (four of which were in a row) are enough to give the man an argument for a seat at the table despite being primarily an Aussie Touring Car driver his entire career. Richard Petty - 123 pole positions, 712 top tens, 200 wins, 7x Daytona 500 winner, and 7x Winston Cup Series champion. There's a reason they call Richard Petty the King. The case can be made for Dale Earnhardt Sr., but Richard Petty should be the choice given how he put the NASCAR Cup Series (and Plymouth's NASCAR Program) on his back and was the face of the series for two decades strong and straight up dominated. The amount of records, high profile wins, and championships Petty has are unmatched in stock car racing that, like with Whincup in Supercars, demands a consideration for a place among motor racing's hall of immortals.

[@mattsharp2794]

As a Dale Earnhardt fan I want to say if any NASCAR drivers made this list it should be Jimmie Johnson. Seven championships in an era of nascar with more parity than any generation before with more regulation than any generation before makes him the best ever in NASCAR in my book.

[@Dj_Not_Nice]

Yeah true Johnson is underappreciated for his accomplishments. Honestly even though this list has the stats this list is a popularity chart

[@xxxYYZxxx]

The contrived "Chase" format gifted Johnson his championships, in Gordon's car nonetheless. Based on points, as every other driver on this list was, Gordon would have won 7 championships instead. Gordon also won more races than Johnson.

[@tomanderson6335]

I think there's a strong case to be made for Parnelli Jones: Multiple wins in Indycar (chief among them the 1963 Indianapolis 500), NASCAR, Trans Am, and off road/desert racing. Probably would have won in F1 as well had he not turned down Colin Chapman's job offer once he found out he would have been Clark's number two.

[@SiPhillipson]

Of the 15 - I saw 4 race live. Senna, Prost, Schumacher and Hamilton. Also on Mouton - that Quattro was a tough car to drive. Very heavy and understeery as hell with the big 5 cylinder way out front over the front axle and the new 4 wheel drive making it tougher.

[@NewbombTurk.]

Would like to see a video of Lynn St. James as she is in the "Automotive Hall of Fame" (how many HOFs are there anyways?). Drove Cart as well as IMSA for many years in the US. Honorable mentions to Dan Gurney and Mark Donohue.

[@anthonycresswell83]

One addition, in a class all of his own, professor sid Watkins. Not a driver, but a man who saved as many as he possibly could

[@mrterp04]

I’d love to see you do a similar video on the greatest families in racing.

[@jimgraves4197]

Thank you for adding John Surtees to the list as the man earned the respect of every racng fan for his dedication to his craft. Some have grudgingly called his F1 title a fluke, but he truly earned it by racing the likes of Clark, Hill, Brabham et al and beating them. He was also a bloody nice bloke who always had time for people wherever he went.

[@Mr.Korzack]

I'm liking the variety of options picked, and how that opens this up to a possible 25 honourable mentions based on achievements in multiple fields... Only possible mention I'd add an argument for is Brabham for obvious reasons & how we'll likely never see someone win a world championship in their own car again

[@burdineestep4224]

Tazio - before World Championships won on motorcycles, rally cars, sports cars, G.P. cars. Vanderbilt cup, Le Mans, Targa F. Millie M.- Monaco, Plus the greatest race ever where he won over the might of Auto Union and Mercedes at the "Ring" plus Many others. THE true G.O.A.T.

[@PsychicalTraumaPL]

Must say, that's a very good list! Of course, there's plenty more drivers, and you could built up this list even up to 50, but I must say, your picks for top 15 are spot on!

[@codyjarvis]

I think Tony Stewart could go in the honorable mentions. Irl champ, nascar, all the stuff on dirt, now nhra drag racing guy.

[@harrypreece6680]

Spent 10 minutes saying “Surtees” “Surtees” internally and glad Ickx gets his due Cracking selections

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

Tom Walkinshaw should definitely be in the conversation; easy to forget what an accomplished driver he was; let alone the multiple World, European, British touring car wins, Le Mans and WSC titles; both as entrant and car builder (right up to 1996) and F1 race wins and a championship with Benetton, via team management.

[@guessundheit6494]

AJ Foyt, absolutely, but Al Unser Sr. has quite the resume, arguably the second best US racer ever (3 USAC/CART titles, four Indy 500 wins, 24 Hours of Dayonta, two Pikes Peak titles, etc.). Call him a near miss. I'm never going to convince anyone of her being the best woman driver, but Jutta Kleinschmidt's dominance and overall win in the Dakar Rally puts her in the argument for that accolade.

[@willyhwang1059]

Richard Petty, Mario Andretti, JM Fangio, Graham Hill

[@Eagleracer38x]

YES! I love that you had her in your list! Niki Lauda said she was one of the greatest ever...

[@BAndersen-ee1xy]

Can’t miss Alberto Ascari. That fat Italian was a mega talent. Jimmy Clark should have a video on his own. If the Lotus was not so prone to breaking, he would have a series of championships. I was fortunate enough to see Michael in his prime. In this era of Lewis and Max, people don’t know just what a mega talent he was. The list is looking good 👍🏻.

[@jacklb4152]

Tazio and Jacky are the two i always go to in these discussions and its great to see Aidan recognise both. Tazio for his switch from motorcyles to winning every italian GP and sports car event and standing tall against the third reich after beating the Auto Unions and Mercedes Benzs in his Alfa Romeo in Nazi Germany.

[@lassenikulainen6722]

Before watching my quess for the list: F1: Hamilton, Schumacher, Senna, Prost, Clark, Fangio; Rally: Loeb, Ogier; RR: Rossi, Márquez, Agostini; multi-class: Surtees Enduro: Juha Salminen Nascar: Johnson, Earnhardt sr. and some endurance driver or multi class talent or some drift racer or some bit more exotic

[@rolandsuch]

Derek Bell came to my mind as well, other names are Alberto Ascari and Carlos Sainz Senior. Here in Germany Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips, Bernd Rosemayer, Hans Stück (Senior and Junior) but especially Walter Röhl are legendary.

[@Slider5320]

I think there should be a hall of fame for catastrofuck drivers. Ricardo Rosset, Nakita Mazepin, Nicolas Latifi. That would be a pretty epic list. Anyone else to add please post in the comments 👍

[@mottle7]

Jack Brabham is the only person to wins the world championship as a driver and a constructor

[@roberthill2219]

Whoa... DAN GURNEY!!! While he never won any of the major championships, who else won races in Indy Cars, F1, NASCAR, Can Am, Trans Am, BTCC and of course, the '67 24 Hours of LeMans... and then when on to being possibly one of the most innovative race car builders motorsports has ever seen... all the while being the classy, well-spoken ambassador of American racing for over 60 years.... no list of great drivers is complete without 'President Gurney'... 😊

[@elya.dejesus9372]

excellent list. make it an annual thing. ... Fittipaldi, two F1 crowns and two times runner-up. One CART championship and two Indy 500. Al Unser Sr., USAC and CART Champ Championships. Ran and won in USAC when road, ovals and dirt tracks where part of that crazy time in the gringo racing scene. Dan Gurney because Dan Gurney. Honorable mentions to Rick Mears (multiple CART championships and four Indy victories and a bunch of poles plus Baja), Mark Donohue, his partnership Roger Penske was the stuff of legend.... love your videos and your opinions and views on motorsports. thanks.

[@eamonahern7495]

Long comment and only F1 drivers but worth a read. In the 1996 Encyclopaedia of Formula 1, the one with then new world champion Damon Hill on the front cover and a Christmas present I still have, there were 10 drivers included in the Legends Of The Track section. 3-time world champion Nelson Piquet wasn't included but Stirling Moss, arguably the greatest to never be world champion, was. The argument being Piquet was one of the champions who won given the best machinery but was otherwise uncompetitive. Where as Moss was consistently competitive even in privately run cars and his best chances to win the world championship were when one of the GOAT, Fangio, was also on the grid. Schumacher was only a 2-time champion at the time and still relatively early in his career but was mentioned in the all-time great drivers section, which was a run down of the best known other drivers (including Piquet) so he wasn't one of the 10 legends. These "all-time great drivers" also included Slim Borgudd (yes, the drummer for ABBA was a pay driver using money earned with the band) though, so some were neither great nor well known. Anyway, the 10 legends Of The Track in the encyclopaedia are: Jack Brabham, Jim Clark, Juan Manuel Fangio, Graham Hill, Niki Lauda, Nigel Mansell, Stirling Moss, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Jackie Stewart. If I were to add more to that list Michael Schumacher would be there and Lewis Hamilton when he retires. Max Verstappen is well on his way to legendary status too and argue amongst yourselves to make up the rest of the 15.

[@pajamachanic6828]

I know I’m a little late but I’m gonna put my personal “godly 15” out there. In no particular order: Jim Clark, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Richard Petty, Tazio Nuvolari, Michele Mouton, Alessandro Zanardi, Colin McRae, John Surtees, Jacky Ickx, AJ Foyt, Valentino Rossi, Graham Hill, Peter Brock, Juan Manuel Fangio

[@supercededman]

Aidan, make it easy on yourself. There is only need for a list of one. And that one is Jim Clark.

[@KR1736]

I think Shirley Muldowney was winning NHRA Top Fuel races and championships before Mouton was winning rallying races

[@aity3669]

The three i'd say Richard Petty - 200 NASCAR wins and 7 titles is nothing to scoff at Shane Van Gisbergen - The grestest driver from the south imho. Won a NASCAR race on debut and won several Australian Supercars races. And he can just adapt to a car in a click Bruce McLaren - I'm a McLaren fan. Need I say more?

[@greatsageclok-roo9013]

I can testify to Gizzy. The guy can win races in ANYTHING that has wheels. He might be a bit on to go F1 racing, but I have no doubt that he’d be an absolutely insane driver to watch. Especially with the way he can just make overtakes happen out of thin air!

[@Jinjajamie]

Lauda for his 3 titles, surviving that accident and wider contributions to F1

[@sofiadisalvo728]

Brabham, Dixon, Kristensen, Castroneves, Peterhansel, Moss

[@chaoringmeister]

Fantastic list. My brain went to Kristensen too, but you make a very convincing argument why Ickx is superior. I feel like we are missing one of the flying Finns, however I can’t think of one at an immortal level but also their average level was spectacular. Maybe one for the future could be for non-drivers? Similarly the likes of Ferrari, Chapman and Newey, would be auto includes, but loads of potential to debate who else, I’m thinking the likes of Brabham, Gordon Murray, Birkin, and Shelby.

[@JamesAnderson-fv3yo]

Ewy Blomquist. I even have a Matchbox model of the car she won the '62 Touring Car Grand Prix of Argentina in.

[@seanmccabe7021]

As an American it's nice to see AJ Foyt get some love, incredible race car driver, tough as nails, could win in anything.

[@Pablo668]

Foyt is definitely a worthy inclusion. Great selection of drivers. I really really admire Stewart for his getting the ball rolling with driver safety. This will sound odd cause she is nowhere near the status of any of these luminaries, but I thought Sabine Schmidtz was awesome and I was genuinely saddened to hear of her passing. But that is neither here nor there.

[@guessundheit6494]

An argument could be made for John Fitch in the innovators and safety category.

[@conors4430]

There is a certain charm to starting the race by having to run to the car, but when you think about it, thinking that such a small thing would have an impact across a 24 hour race is also pretty illogical.

[@Reso205]

Here is ONE you left out: Jack Brabham: Won 3 F1 WDC and won one IN HIS OWN CAR!! Noone else has EVER done that ever...and ever will again....wel maybe Max, he's young enough

[@gary5481]

I've been following F1 & most forms of motorsport from childhood, with my 1st F1 GP being the South African GP in 1967. I can agree with most of your picks & perhaps a few to your list of notable mentions. However, the one that pisses me off no end is Has-been Hamilton, or as I like to call him Never Was. Yes, he is the joint most successful driver along with the Michael, but his talent comes nowhere near that of Schumacher, or even Max for that matter. The fact that Russell has been able to beat him in the same car, as often as he has, speaks volumes. Hamilton is a bloody good driver, but to call him the G.O.A.T, is bordering on blasphemy. Nevertheless another fantastic video, well presented & your choices backed up with great facts.

[@luke84parki45]

I think Rossi has to be on this list simply because he has 9 world championships and 115 race wins which is more success then what Hamilton and Schumacher have and very rarely did he have the best bike in his career

[@josiahboatengmyrie]

Hamilton’s not far off 115 tbf

[@martinflyer1197]

Gonna get hate for this but Joey Dunlop. Record holder of most wins on the Isle of man TT. Absolute lunatic

[@dumptrump3788]

I saw Schumacher's face on the thumbnail & thought the title was "The fifteen GOATS of CHEATING!" & was confused why all the others were included.

[@wolfsruhm]

The Lack of Rally as well as Touring Car Drivers is a bit disappointing, soo imo Walther Röhrl should be considered a GOAT, a rally driver who's drive was NOT to be the overall winner, but just to ave fun at rally, no matter which car, and then just so happen to win several races, and also World Champion Titles, while at the same time being extremely grounded. Though i really appreciate much of including Michelle into your list

[@AidanMillward]

Seb Loeb and Michelle Mouton are there already, Ogier could be there and so could Makinen

[@resyrum5301]

Jeff Gordon is probably the most notable person not in this video. He was the guy for quite a few years. I know his success is largely limited to NASCAR, but there is a good reason that he had F1 and IndyCar offers. Everyone knew he was damn well good enough to do it. One of very few who could go toe to toe with Dale Sr and win. Tony Stewart also deserves some credit. He's one of the most versatile drivers who ever existed, like if Juan Montoya was born in Indiana instead of Columbia

[@johnweissenberger7719]

Richard Petty should be on the list

[@Javadamutt]

Controversial take but I would exclude Senna. While a phenomenal driver I think he fell short in achieving legendary status due to his death. While his achievements especially in cars that didn’t win a race or the championship due to failures is certainly nothing to ignore, I believe his inclusion opens the door for the like of Vettel and Verstappen to be included. Verstappen I believe is a phenomenal driver. You can debate if he he’s better than X but the fact he is in those conversations shows he is talented. Personally I would rather see his win another category or at least compete before including him in the exclusive list Vettel as well. While 4 titles backs up his inclusion personally I don’t rate him. Laughable error prone, seasons of mediocrity and struggled with rule changes I believe his titles were a perfect storm of things going right and even then he almost made a meal of it. Alonso must be close for inclusion too. He has came closest to the triple crown and one hell of a driver. Until he wins indie tho I can see arguments for his exclusion but certainly must be in discussions. Another driver I would include would be Mansell. Multiple disciplines and a great driver. Again plenty of room to debate if he’s actually good enough to be allowed in. I would also throw Button in there. Statically yes not the greatest F1 driver ever but a very solid driver who was consistent and managed to win the F1 championship. He also had success in Japan arguably a tough championship to win EDIT: I could argue for all the above inclusion/exclusion simply stemming from others on the list. The list is very tricky as you have masters in one category Vs some who were strong in multiple but it isn't necessarily reflected in the history book.

[@garchompy_1561]

the hall of fame is a great way to look at it, I see the "triple corwn" being the same way. singling out those 3 is stupid and we shouldnt really be looking at only those; I would prefer to see like a "wonders of the world" sort of thing, could even make a "wonders of the ancient world" equivilent for events that are no longer held. Would also let you include a wider range if disclepines because yea winning the isle of mans top class, pikes beaks top class, or bathurst 500 is as big (if not bigger) an achievement than any of the current 3 in the triple crown rn. Hell, want some off road races too? the daris-dakar, safari rally, the monte carlo, want some bicycle races what about the tour de france or Megavalanche? yea... just dont like the idea of putting indy, monaco, or le mans on a pedestal when so many unbelivably competative and challenging events exist. you know theres a 24h race on motorcycles that takes place at spa? and an 8h one at suzuka? wild...

[@minibus9]

Great video, some fantastic choices. Andy Rouse as another possible hounerable mention as he was a great driver and engineer

[@charlesmullenax4448]

Funny thing, when Ferdinand Porsche, Enzo Ferrari and Juan Fangio were asked who the greatest was they said Tazio. I believe them.

[@llmkursk8254]

How about a video on Hall of Fame worthy cars? We should recognize the machines as well as the men and women that drove them.

[@0000ffcube]

I'd have definitely added Tom Kristensen to this list. But otherwise it's pretty much what 99% of people think of when they list GOATs.

[@markvicferrer]

I nominate Ivan "Ironman" Stewart & Ron Fellows to the list.

[@NinetyTres]

Good effort, so many great driver achievements, hard to pick only 15

[@jamespallister2031]

I’ve been to the nascar hall of fame in Charlotte and was impressed and thought how is their not an FIA equivalent

[@anthonyhastings5961]

I like the Jackie Ickx reference. Here's one for any data stealer out there. Jackie Ickx won Le Mans in '69 on the day I was born. I drove a replica of that #6 GT40 on my 50th birthday. I have a Silverstone program from the week after Nigel Mansell's first Grand Prix with Mansell's autograph in it as well as Derek Bell so both of those would be in my personal hall of fame. As for Schumacher, Senna and Vettel, they may have won championships but they weren't champions. You are a champion if you win like a champion and not if you win by cheating. None of those would be in my hall of fame. Finally in this rant, I have set a pretty quick time in the DMax kart at Daytona in MK. My quickest time is quicker than Verstappen, Hamilton, Button and 3 times Indy 500 winner Franchitti. So if a fat old bloke can go quicker than those then they don't go in a hall of fame either. And the guy who said Murray Walker? An amateur in an age of amateurs. If that guy could get information wrong then he got it wrong. It was almost like he did it on purpose to annoy the real fan.

[@aaronmachado13]

I know this is off-road motorcycles but Doug Henry being paralyzed twice yet coming back to win is definitely something worth mentioning. Also great video would be of the 2023 Supercross championship considering the top 2 in the championship suffered injury within eyesight of the championship

[@robwhisenand1775]

I love moto, been racing it since 1979 and Doug is certainly an inspiration, I even had the “What’s Stopping You “ poster, but moto is just too small of a sport…sadly

[@charlesvaughan3517]

I know this is kinda out there but it's still"racing" Jeremy McGrath. He absolutely dominated mx racing in the 90s. 89 WINS I think 9 championships

[@corsaandy94]

Merry Christmas 🎄 Aidan

[@Locomattive8572]

If definitely have the Niki Lauda in that club, because of longevity in the sport. I think it needs to have bikers in it to. Rossi, Marc Marquez, The Dunlop’s.

[@crusherbmx]

You started off by talking about Jacques, which is good enough for me, I don't even care if Jacques and/or Gilles make the list because you started with Jacques.....but if Latifi doesn't get in you'll here back from me!

[@B8kedBean]

Certes achievements are just insane

[@caphowdy666]

Neither Clark or Hill won the Indy car championship, or USAC as it would have been back then, so surely Villeneuve is the only person to have done that. Even Mansell does not have that on his record, missing out on the Indy 500. Only other drivers I can think of who won all three are Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi, but over a longer time period.

[@pranc236]

Great video. I cant disagree with your 4 additions or really if you would have chosen any of the 5 others. I like the list we got the most though. Thanks aiden

[@tbone121974]

OK, there's a bit of west midlands bias here as well as being a childhood hero. I'd include Nigel Mansell. Back to back championships in F1 and Cart with a near miss of a second F1 title by 1 point.

[@mrkipling2201]

I was hoping that someone would say Nigel Mansell. My favourite racing driver ever. Yes, there's a bit of English bias there but he proved throughout his career how good he was as a driver. As well as brave, fast and a brilliant controller of the car. Adelaide 1986 showed that. It took a lot of courage and skill to keep control of the car after the tyre exploded. The only man to be F1 World Champion and Indycar Champion at the same time, as mentioned here. 3 near misses at other F1 World Championships don't forget. 1986, 1987 and 1991. The first 2 he was denied by rotten luck. The blown tyre in 1986 and the back injury after crashing in 1987.

[@freshpescado3000]

Hey Aidan. In NASCAR, take a look at a man named David Pearson. Yea there is Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. But Mr. Pearson ran almost every one of his 27 years part time. When he did do a full season he would win the championship. Look at the stats and you will think this man is a racing icon. Better than Petty, Earnhardt. Forgot to mention he won 105 races and ranks number two all time. Has less than half the races Petty ran.

[@The_BenboBaggins]

I know that I can find it out there, but I really like your take on Motorsport history, and would love you to do a video on people like Pat Moss and Michelle Mouton (please 😊)

[@geoffbishop3034]

Great choices. I would add my own personal fave, Jim Richards.

[@thatboomhauerguy5601]

Great video and I can’t really disagree with any of your choices. But I do feel there could be some inductees or honourable mentions from Pre-FIA. Guys like Nuvolari, Varzi, Chiron, or Fagioli. It’s hard to quantify results from the day but they had to be incredibly brave and well rounded to race in the dangerous and widely varied formulae of the time.

[@chuckratkay43]

If you include Senna, (and Prost), then you should include ALL multi-time Champs like Vettel, Alonso, Verstappen, etc.

[@gerardkhachaturyan4814]

This cements Juan Manuel Fangio as The Argentine GOAT. He's the one both Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi want us to forget he existed. Maradona even celebrated the death of Ayrton Senna on May 1, 1994.

[@AidanMillward]

Messi is the undisputed goat tho.

[@swinny5797]

I feel like also in the honourable mentions list should be: Richard Petty, Andy Rouse, Tom Walkinshaw, Peter Brock, Alan Mcnish.

[@tonicabrer4350]

I'd put Alonso in there, dude's accolades are just a small part of the driver he is

[@russtaylor385]

I used to think of this as a banquet of great racers past and present and it was a question of who would be on the Top Table. In my mind Jim Clark was (embarrassingly for him) voted by the people at the banquet as their GOAT. Good list but I would put Graham Hill on another table. Stirling and Alberto would have to be on the top table. There should be a couple more Rally Drivers - maybe perm from Hannu or Bjorn or Sandro or Timo - they were amazing. Dan was top drawer too. Bernd, Rudi need some thought. Love Michelle but not sure she would make the top 15. Thanks for the video and idea.

[@Joe2328]

Walter Rohrl would have to have a spot on my list. Maybe Lauda because Lauda. Ickx because i met him at Goodwood FOS and he spoke with my Dad for about half an hour, also the cars he drove were insane