The Olympic spirit has us all pondering the idea of a dream team. By definition, such a group consists of the cream of the crop, best of the best, a who’s who...you get the idea.
A “dream team” is the best group of individuals in a given sport. All its members know their roles, and fulfill them to the utmost satisfaction that their performance borders on perfection.
The Olympics present us with such teams in any one of a number of sports: softball, basketball, hockey, etc. However, in the world of Formula One, such a team has yet to actually be configured, even in a simple “all-time dream team,” consisting of the best the sport has seen.
Just what would a Formula One “dream team” look like? What drivers would the team have? What eras would they come from? Who would serve as Team Principal? What car would they drive? Who would the crew be during pit stops?
Formula One, maybe more so than other sport, is a team sport. The driver may get most of the credit and blame, but all members involved win and lose as a team. No role in a Formula One outfit is more vital than another. All responsibilities must be met for a team to be a success.
First, let’s start with the drivers. Comparing and contrasting drivers who competed in different eras is something many say is impossible. The cars they drive have changed, the skills they need for success have changed, and the demands placed on them have changed.
It would seem impossible to say Juan Fangio is better than Michael Schumacher or Ayrton Senna (all of whom are considered to be the best driver F1 has ever seen). But, wait, why should I have to leave one of those three out?
Every Formula One team has, outside of two racers, at least one tester. But, who of those three would race and test. Well, Senna and Schumacher both admit that Fangio is the greatest racer to have ever lived, so I’ll give him a spot in that role.
Now, who do I pick between Senna and Schumacher as the tester and second racer? Both are regarded as two of the best drivers motorsports has ever seen (meaning either could adequately fill the role of racer), but which of them would be better at developing a car?
Wait, I know the answer to that already! Even though he no longer races for them, Scuderia Ferrari remains dependent on Michael Schumacher to test and help develop their cars. His racing career may be over, but his knack for car development hasn’t waned. He’ll be my tester and car developer, as Senna will partner Fangio in the races.
Now, who would be the team principal? This role would require running a consistent and winning team and handling the sometimes hostile attitudes drivers have toward each other.
Frank Williams is the head of one of most successful F1 teams in history, but that team’s performance has dropped off too much recently. He won’t work.
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