Formula One: Who Is The Best Rookie Of The Modern Era?

Greetings, and welcome back to the second edition of The Slipstream.  Sorry for the lack in coverage of Turkey but I was away on business for a few days. 

I would like to thank everybody who read up on my first article—and as the title suggests, this edition will track an in depth analysis of the 1996 rookie season of 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve (JV, and 2007 rookie sensation and world title runner-up, Lewis Hamilton (LH). 

I would like to thank the hard workers of Formula One database that provided the statistics for this article. They can be reached at their URL of www.f1dbc.om.  Also, some information was also taken from Villeneuve:My First Season in Formula One, written by JV with contributions from Gerald Donaldson. 

Pre-Formula One Careers

When tracking the early careers of the two drivers being analysed, it is clear to see a common theme.  Both of these men, like all F1 drivers, have been developed from an early age to drive at the highest level of motorsport. 

Lewis' career up to F1,which started in 2002 reads like a military campaign, where the critical strikes were carried out with devastating accuracy and effect.  It seems that whatever series LH enters in, he becomes a force to be dealt with even before the end of the first race. 

From his rookie title win in 2002 with Formula Renault, he advanced to Formula Three Euroseries where he spent two years and winning the title during his sophomore season.  F3 would be the only professional series where he would spend more than a single season in before getting to F1. 

LH stepped into a prime drive in 2006 with the Direxiv GP2 team and captured the GP2 title.  The Direxiv team, once rumored to be the foundation for a McLaren F1 "B" team is known for polishing up drivers for F1.  Speculation clouded the young driver, until Turn 1, Lap 1 of the season's first race in Albert Park. The rest is history...

Villeneuve took a longer and more diverse path into F1.  He would take his first major step towards F1 in 1992, where he competed in the Japanese Formula Three Championship.  He gain the attention of many insiders and team bosses when he took second in the championship with three wins. 

1994 would be another big year for the French Canadian, winning Rookie of the Year honors in the the CART open wheel series.  His sophomore season in CART would see him crowned champion with four wins, including the Indy 500. From road course karting to open wheel oval racing, JV was able to adapt and then win in almost every series he entered before testing for Williams in late 1995.

1996 would see the return of the Villeneuve name to the F1 grid, this time on a Williams Renault.  What is unique about JV's pre-F1 experience is the fact that he is the son of what many consider to be the best driver never to win the World Championship, Ferrari driver Gilles Villeveuve.  Born into the glitz and glamour that is F1, Jacques saw the world of motorsport take his father's life and in the same token, grant Jacques some of his more treasured memories. 

Advantage: Jacques Villeneuve

The 2007 Rookie Season of Lewis Hamilton

Car: McLaren MP/4-22

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