Grand Prix Rejects

It occurred to me today why no one has already started something similar to this, but why not collaborate a list of what you think are the greatest F1 races of all time? Whether it's due to on-track action, an amazing drive, or something altogether different, surely there's got to be some sort of consensus on the greatest races ever.

Considering I've only seen so much Formula 1, all I can think of is 1996 Monaco, so please add to the list.

A difficult question, probably best if broken down in different caterories such as 'overtaking races', 'everything races', and 'driver races'.

For me the best overtaking race is Silverstone 2003, some great moves and Barrichello's day of days.

A race with everything involved would be the typical choice of Spa 1998, it really did have everything!

Finally my choice of 'driver race' is the most difficult, perhaps the utter dominance of Stewart at a foggy and rainy Nurburgring in 1968 or Fangio at the same place in 1957...

Too hard to choose!

For me it has to be the race that got me into F1 in the first place - the one and only Monaco 1982. I thought they were all going to be like that!!

Any soaking-wet race - Spa 1998, Hungary 2006 (says a Button fan...), any wet race at Monaco or Silverstone... Even Italy the other year when the recently-ex Minardi team won!

spa 1998 because it was the first season i was fully watching and the race was pretty much 'WTF' all over it
and europe 1999, at a certain moment, you realised that practially everything could happen, like Badoer winning a race, which unfortunately didn't happen

lots of great races in the past, for sure, but i didn't watch them live, so i can't tell much about it, i leave that up to you people who are all obsessively watching old races on the internets

Dijon '79 with Villeneuve vs Arnoux
Monaco '82 as has already been mentioned.
Silverstone '87, Mansell's great comeback
Spa '98, as has been mentioned
Canada '11...what? that was a brilliant race!

Though decision because there were several of them, but I think the already mentioned Nurburgring in 1957, and 1968, are probably the best in my opinion.

From before I started watching
1987 British Grand Prix
1993 European Grand Prix
1996 Monaco Grand Prix
1999 European Grand Prix
2003 Brazilian Grand Prix

1989 Australian Grand Prix was supposed to be amazing, but i've never seen it.

Since I started watching
2005 Japanese Grand Prix
2007 European Grand Prix
2010 Korean Grand Prix (seriously, it was a classic)

Watching live:
Ger '00
Aus '02
Bra '03
Jap '05
Hun '06
Can '07
Eur '07
Bra '07
Kor '10
Can '11

Watching on Internet
Mon '82
Mon '84
Eur '93
Aus '95
Mon '96
Bel '98
Eur '99

One of my favorites is (you're not gonna forgive me for this, but) Turkey '10. Why? Well, the Red Bull implosion was exciting enough...

Of course, Canada '11, China '11 and Britain '11 were all good races...

Anything from '07 (except maybe USA) was great...

For me, the most memorable races (not greatest) were always championship deciding races, such as Jerez '97, Adelaide '94, Adelaide '86, and stuff near the championship finale, such as Nurburgring '99, Japan '99.

Of course, there's Luxembourg '97 (I remember watching that taped from my cousin's house), but that was when I actually had respect for JV, before he decided to say f*** all to F1 due to KERS and DRS (why? there was barely any in Britain '11)

There are so many great races in F1 that nobody can possibly count them all. Plus, it's all based on personal opinion, some people consider Turkey '10 to be a boring race (like my bro)

From a personal point of view I'd say Australia 2002 because seeing Webber and Minardi score two points, at their home race, made me very emotional. I'd also say Hungary 2006 and Brazil 2008 for Button's first win and Halimton last-lap, last-corner pass on Glock for the title.

From a neutral view, Australia 1995, Monaco 1996, Belgium 1998, Korea 2010 and Canada 2011. All because of the various WTF moments during the race. I'd pay serious money for someone to make full race copies of these for me to have!!

Anyone know the cutoff year for GPs on YouTube before FOM automatically pulls them off? There's a lot of 80's-90's gold (That's how I saw '82, '84, and '96 Monaco, plus a bunch of '93 races), but it seems anything during and after the Schumacher era is off-limits.

1979 Daytona 500
1992 Indianapolis 500
1992 CART Michigan 500
1993 Daytona 500
1993 CART @ New Hampshire
1995 CART @ Phoenix
1995 Indianapolis 500
1995 CART @ Cleveland
1995 CART @ Detroit
1995 CART Michigan 500
1995 CART @ Road America (Hmm, 1995 was a great year in CART, wasn't it...)
1996 CART @ Road America
1999 CART Michigan 500
1999 CART @ Cleveland
2000 CART Michigan 500 (What's with this race anyway...)
2010 IRL @ Sao Paolo
2011 IRL @ Iowa

2005 Suzuka?

1993 European GP (Donington Park).
I rest my case.

Greatest is difficult... what do you call greatest, one with most carnage, one with most overtaking, one with battle for the lead etc etc

Europe 1999 yes,
As a McLaren fan, 1997 Australia, my first 'live' McLaren win
Belgium 2000, Hakkinen passed Scxhuey when lapping Zonta for lead
Japan 2005, Raikki's bigmove on Fisi on last lap
San Marino 05-06, Schu v Alonso/Alonso v Schu

There are so many, cause even races this year have been spectacular to say the least.

Its difficult to nail one down, but its personal preferance.

Another new question for someone else if not done before 'The Greatest Driver in History', as we got Fangio from the 50's, Stewart from the 60's, Fittipaldi from the 70's, Prost/Senna from the 80's, Schuey 90's and 00. On another forum, we did top 100 drivers of F1, with very differng and interesting results, or driver of the decade

So as I am in a reflective mood today I will list below what I think the best race is from the 14 seasons of F1 I have watched.

1997- European Grand Prix (Jerez)
1998- Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal)
1999- European Grand Prix (Nurbergring)
2000- German Grand Prix (Hockenhiem)
2001- Malaysian Grand Prix (Sepang)
2002- Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne)
2003- British Grand Prix (Silverstone)
2004- Monaco Grand Prix (Monaco)
2005- Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka)
2006- Hungarian Grand Prix (Hungaroring)
2007- Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal)
2008- Brazilian Grand Prix (Interlargos)
2009- Italian Grand Prix (Monza)
2010- Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal)
2011- Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal)

1996 Monaco GP and Spa 1998 are unforgettable. I like surprise wins! Donington 93 was one of the greatest displays of talent I've ever seen. 1968 German GP, from which I've not seen is one of the greatest...

David AGS wrote:
Another new question for someone else if not done before 'The Greatest Driver in History', as we got Fangio from the 50's, Stewart from the 60's, Fittipaldi from the 70's, Prost/Senna from the 80's, Schuey 90's and 00. On another forum, we did top 100 drivers of F1, with very differng and interesting results, or driver of the decade

Shinji ran this one over Xmas 2009

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=855&

I'll say one from each season since when I watched fully:

1991 Spain
1992 Belgium
1993 Japan
1994 Australia I guess even though I couldn't eat my dinner due to being so annoyed about what Schumacher did!
1995 Australia
1996 Monaco
1997 Spain (it was almost a precursor to 2011 with tyres so marginal)
1998 Belgium
1999 Europe
2000 Belgium
2001 Austria
2002 Monaco I guess.......
2003 Britain
2004 Monaco
2005 Europe
2006 Hungary (!!)
2007 Europe
2008 Brazil
2009 Brazil
2010 Canada

The 1994 German GP also had some memorable moments to it, although I don't think it would be considered a classic...

For a Finn the 2007 Brazilian GP was a nailbiting and surreal experience! The drama of the same GP a year later was also pretty exceptional. The 2003 version was for me the best race though. Also every Spa race was a little bit special.

I'm surprised that no-one's really looked at Adelaide 94. Sure it's remembered for THAT collision, but there was a pretty special race underneath.
Monaco 96/84/82, Spa 98, Europe 99, Brazil 03 were up there because of the chaos and destruction that they caused.
Suzuka 05 was a great drive.

For me...

since I started watching in 2003

Brazil 2003
Hungary 2006
Brazil 2007
Brazil 2008
Canada 2011
Any wet race from that period

but my absolute favourite is Suzuka 2005...

I was lucky to see the last 2 laps, since I was at football (soccer for you who speak american) tournament...

Cynon wrote:1979 Daytona 500
1992 Indianapolis 500
1992 CART Michigan 500
1993 Daytona 500
1993 CART @ New Hampshire
1995 CART @ Phoenix
1995 Indianapolis 500
1995 CART @ Cleveland
1995 CART @ Detroit
1995 CART Michigan 500
1995 CART @ Road America (Hmm, 1995 was a great year in CART, wasn't it...)
1996 CART @ Road America
1999 CART Michigan 500
1999 CART @ Cleveland
2000 CART Michigan 500 (What's with this race anyway...)
2010 IRL @ Sao Paolo
2011 IRL @ Iowa

Amen!

But personally there should be a bit more 1999 and some 2001 there. Personally, all the Michigan 500's were good. 2001, I think of the Nazareth race. I mean, Nakano running 2nd (and ignoring the calls to come in for gas XD)? Dixon holding off Brack driving for the dieing PWR team? Epic. Cleveland because of Memo Gidley, Toronto if only because of Takagi acting all rejectful + Fittipaldi's sarcasm moment, but also because of Michael's superb burn from the stern and Fernandez's epic move on Brack, I think it was, going into turn 1.

When it comes to F1 though, the only ones which are epic which I have watched live are a few of this years races, 2003 Brazil. All the others are way back which I hadn't watched. 1999 Europe (although in fairness I was actually there..), 1998 Spa (The FOM took off the ITV commentary, so I had to use an alternative link with JAPANESE COMMENTARY!), 1996 Monaco and a few more I can't think off at the moment.

Jeroen Krautmeir wrote:

Cynon wrote:1979 Daytona 500
1992 Indianapolis 500
1992 CART Michigan 500
1993 Daytona 500
1993 CART @ New Hampshire
1995 CART @ Phoenix
1995 Indianapolis 500
1995 CART @ Cleveland
1995 CART @ Detroit
1995 CART Michigan 500
1995 CART @ Road America (Hmm, 1995 was a great year in CART, wasn't it...)
1996 CART @ Road America
1999 CART Michigan 500
1999 CART @ Cleveland
2000 CART Michigan 500 (What's with this race anyway...)
2010 IRL @ Sao Paolo
2011 IRL @ Iowa

Amen!

But personally there should be a bit more 1999 and some 2001 there. Personally, all the Michigan 500's were good. 2001, I think of the Nazareth race. I mean, Nakano running 2nd (and ignoring the calls to come in for gas XD)? Dixon holding off Brack driving for the dieing PWR team? Epic. Cleveland because of Memo Gidley, Toronto if only because of Takagi acting all rejectful + Fittipaldi's sarcasm moment, but also because of Michael's superb burn from the stern and Fernandez's epic move on Brack, I think it was, going into turn 1.

Forgot those, but I picked the races I mentioned off the top of my head in 5 minutes. I should also mention;

1984 CART Michigan 500
1990 CART @ Milwaukee
IRL 1996 @ Las Vegas (Great if you love a compilation of reject driving)
2001 CART German 500 (Going to get a bit of flak for that one, but aside from Zanardi's crash, that race was awesome -- and I still believe Zanardi would have won)
2003 CART German 500 (Despite BS officialdom)
2006 CCWS @ Milwaukee

Spain 1991
Spa 1992
Monaco 1996-1997-2008
british 2008
German 1957 1968
Holland 1975
Japan 1976
Brazil 2009

Many more and for different reasons

Cynon wrote:

Jeroen Krautmeir wrote:

Cynon wrote:1979 Daytona 500
1992 Indianapolis 500
1992 CART Michigan 500
1993 Daytona 500
1993 CART @ New Hampshire
1995 CART @ Phoenix
1995 Indianapolis 500
1995 CART @ Cleveland
1995 CART @ Detroit
1995 CART Michigan 500
1995 CART @ Road America (Hmm, 1995 was a great year in CART, wasn't it...)
1996 CART @ Road America
1999 CART Michigan 500
1999 CART @ Cleveland
2000 CART Michigan 500 (What's with this race anyway...)
2010 IRL @ Sao Paolo
2011 IRL @ Iowa

Amen!

But personally there should be a bit more 1999 and some 2001 there. Personally, all the Michigan 500's were good. 2001, I think of the Nazareth race. I mean, Nakano running 2nd (and ignoring the calls to come in for gas XD)? Dixon holding off Brack driving for the dieing PWR team? Epic. Cleveland because of Memo Gidley, Toronto if only because of Takagi acting all rejectful + Fittipaldi's sarcasm moment, but also because of Michael's superb burn from the stern and Fernandez's epic move on Brack, I think it was, going into turn 1.

Forgot those, but I picked the races I mentioned off the top of my head in 5 minutes. I should also mention;

1984 CART Michigan 500
1990 CART @ Milwaukee
IRL 1996 @ Las Vegas (Great if you love a compilation of reject driving)
2001 CART German 500 (Going to get a bit of flak for that one, but aside from Zanardi's crash, that race was awesome -- and I still believe Zanardi would have won)
2003 CART German 500 (Despite BS officialdom)
2006 CCWS @ Milwaukee

Ah! How could I forget the 2001 German 500! Yes, I agree with you. It was superb racing all round (Brack's save was fantastic), it's just a shame it ended the way it did.

1989 Brazilian Grand Prix
1989 and 1992 Hungarian Grand Prix Mansell winning from 12th on the grid at the Hungaroring where it was difficult to overtake, then 3 years later finaly winning the championship

1957 German GP.
1967 Italian GP.
1970 Monaco GP.
1971 Italian GP.
1972 Monaco GP.
1975 Austrian GP.
1976 Japanese GP.
1978 South African GP.
1979 French GP.
1982 Monaco GP.
1984 Monaco GP.
1985 San Marino GP.
1986 Australian GP.
1988 Japanese GP.
1989 Canadian GP.
1989 Japanese GP.
1989 Australian GP.
1990 Australian GP.
1994 Australian GP.
1995 European GP.
1996 Monaco GP.
1997 Monaco GP.
1998 Belgian GP.
2000 Japanese GP.
2003 Brazilian GP.
2005 Japanese GP.
2006 Hungarian GP.
2007 European GP.
2008 Monaco GP.
2008 British GP.
2008 Belgian GP.
2008 Brazilian GP (excuse me, but for me this is the best race ever).
2009 Australian GP.
2011 Canadian GP.

Of course, I haven't seen all of them, but I'm making my decisions on what I know of or seen of these races. Well, if this ain't the place for uneducated opinions, then I don't know what section is

I remember the 1989 Canadian GP and the 1990 US GP very well (even though I was 11-12 at the time) and I hope don't forget them any time soon, because they were awesome. Alesi in the Tyrrell defending from Senna for the lead was great.

Faustus wrote:I remember the 1989 Canadian GP and the 1990 US GP very well (even though I was 11-12 at the time) and I hope don't forget them any time soon, because they were awesome. Alesi in the Tyrrell defending from Senna for the lead was great.

Alesi winning would have been so much better.

Phoenix, your list is great, but if you include the 1971 Italian GP, then surely you should include the 1969 Italian GP.

tommykl wrote:Phoenix, your list is great, but if you include the 1971 Italian GP, then surely you should include the 1969 Italian GP.

Thanks for your accolade, but I was bound to miss some other fabulous stuff though - I could have included the 1953 and 1961 French GPs too.

1993 European Grand Prix
1995 European Grand Prix
1998 Belgian Grand Prix
1999 European Grand Prix
2000 German Grand Prix
2003 Australian Grand Prix
2004 Belgian Grand Prix
2005 San Marino Grand Prix
2005 Japanese Grand Prix
2006 Hungarian Grand Prix
2007 European Grand Prix
2008 British Grand Prix
2008 Brazilian Grand Prix


I won't nominate the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix because 1) it's too recent and 2) it was too much spoiled by the SC.

I think San Marino 1995 is a very underrated race.

Couldn’t find it on the internet to rewatch, so just remembering the details from watching it live, but Mansell starting on slicks on a damp track, & did p#ss poor. Schumi spinning off from pushing too hard too early on slicks after his 1st stop. Finally a great fight for the lead between the two Ferrari’s & Williams.

I remember it won race of the year back in 1995 (which is no small achievement since 1995 was full of good races IMO) in a magazine like Autosport… partly because of what happen at San Marino in 1994, it has to be said.

Other ones that I don't think have been mentioned which I loved

France 1999, as for most of the race we had 5 drivers which a good chance of winning.

Spa 1995, action all the race.

Suzuka 1995, Alesi showing what he was capable of when the mood took him.

Also quite enjoyed the 3 way intense battle for the lead at Germany 2011. Hope the rest of the races will be like that.

ibsey wrote:France 1999, as for most of the race we had 5 drivers which a good chance of winning.

Heck yes. I was watching this one not so long ago! (actually, I've watched all the races in which a Jordan won, except for Italy 1999. A race I really want to watch because of Zanardi being as high up as second, on genuine pace. There's something with Monza and America, huh?)

2008 Monaco GP

stupot94 wrote:2008 Monaco GP

How can that be considered great? Hamilton lucked into that win and Raikkonen started his vendetta against Force India at that race

East Londoner wrote:

stupot94 wrote:2008 Monaco GP

How can that be considered great? Hamilton lucked into that win and Raikkonen started his vendetta against Force India at that race

Because it was chaotic? Because driving at a soaking Monaco street circuit made Nick Heidfeld be slighly less slighty bored?