2008 Driver Rankings
2008 is almost over and all of the major race series have already crowned their Champions. F1, Rally, Indy Car, NASCAR, and Sportscars have all seen incredible performances by their respective drivers.
This year will go down as one to be remembered and cherished. Formula 1 had its most exciting finish to the title chase ever. Youth was the word in F1 as 2008 witnessed both the youngest race winner and youngest World Driving Champion.
The WRC and NASCAR both witnessed dominant performances of dynastic proportions. The Intercontinental Rally Challenge rose up to dare Challenge the WRC’s monopoly in delivering Rally Heroes. Sportscar racing witnessed a rebirth in popularity and manufacturers interest in the US and Europe.
So here it is. The Top 10 Drivers of the Year plus a few honorable mentions.
1. Sebastien Loeb
Third place at the Rally Japan netted Sebastien Loeb his fifth consecutive Driver’s Championship title from only six full seasons of WRC competition. No driver has ever been so dominant in a top-tier International Series.
This score takes Loeb and his co-driver Daniel Elena clear of the record they previously shared with Juha Kankkunen and, more especially, Tommi Makinen, who was the only driver before them to rack up four consecutive championship wins (1996-99).
In a sport noted for its wild and frenetic driving, Loeb is almost boring to watch as he consistently sets fastest stage times.
How good is Loeb? In 2003, his first full season in the championship, Loeb won three WRC events before losing the championship to Petter Solberg by just one point. He also beat his more illustrious team-mates, legends Carlos Sainz and Colin McRae.
After the debacle that was his stint at McLaren, Alonso was in danger of dropping off the radar with his return to the floundering Renault.
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about 1 month ago
good read. I liked the way you included drivers from all forms of motorsport, nice touch there.
As this is your opinion there is of course things I disagree with but this article is an overall good job.
keep up the good work mate.
about 1 month ago
Thanks.
I tried to include most major motorsports series. At least the ones I can follow. As you can imagine being in the US makes it difficult to follow some series like DTM and V8 Supercars. At least enough where I could make an informed judgement.
about 1 month ago
Until someone else survives(unscathed) a worse crash, Katherine Legge should always be an honorable mention on lists like this for still being alive(after Road America 2006).
Seriosuly, though, good list. I think I'd have put Johnson as 10th and Edwards as honorable mention because no matter whether the points system rewards consistency or winning, it takes serious skill to do well enough to take three championships in a row.
Other than that, I very much agree with this list.
from about 16 hours ago
She had a rough time in DTM in 2008. That Road America crash was very scary.
from about 8 hours ago
Indeed. Did you know she a crash in Formula 3 that was almost as bad? (her car suffered a blowover while she was entering the pits)
about 1 month ago
The choice between Edwards and Johnson was the toughest. I went with Edwards for the wins. I don't mean to denigrate Jimmies accomplishment as it took skill but I will always lean to the guys who go for the win.
about 1 month ago
I think Loeb should move on to other racing. The WRC is getting old with Loeb dominating. David Brabham and Travis Pastrana were great in 2008. I'm excited for Brabs returning to the LMP1 class of the 2009 American Le Mans Series.
about 8 hours ago
Loeb is a great choice and it is a great list! And as better informed people mentioned above in the comment section, i am all for Katherine Legge :-) of course, I am prejudiced
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