Being a Hit in Formula One: Is it the Singer or the Song?

One idea for spicing up F1 that regularly gets an airing is swapping drivers between teams.

There must be 1001 reasons why it wouldn't be a practical idea, but it sure would be interesting. Would egos and reputations be destroyed? You betcha.

In its brief history, F1 has produced some drivers who were universally recognised for outstanding ability. Michael Schumacher is a good example; you can love him or loathe him, but no serious fan of the sport would question his ability to wring the best out of a car, and to do so in all conditions.

What of today's driver pack?

I have the feeling that if someone pointed a gun at the head of reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton, and told him to park his butt in a Force India, he would rather take the bullet than get in that car and risk humiliation.

On the other hand, I am tolerably certain Fernando Alonso could drive the Force India with probably more success than its 2008/9 pilots.

On their relative performances as team-mates in 2007, I should probably rate Alonso and Hamilton as about equal, but in 2008 Alonso gave us a master-class in scoring with a second-rate car. In contrast, we have not seen Hamilton in a weak car, and that is the big chink in his reputation.

In the later part of 2008 Sebastian Vettel was clearly punching above his weight in the Toro Rosso, and he does well in the wet, always a good sign.

Raikkonen and Massa? Hmmm. Studying their F1 histories, it is hard to find where either man has out-driven his car, so I can't see one of those two winning the fictional driver swap series.

If the delicious scenario of each driver getting two drives in every car was played out in 2009, I could not see anyone beating Alonso's combination of experience, skill, and race-craft. You may agree or vehemently disagree with me on that, but surely you'll agree how fascinating it would be to see.

Give everyone a crack at the best songs, then we'd see who the best singers are.