The 50 greatest Formula One drivers: Nos 50-41
The 50 greatest Formula One drivers: Nos 40-31
The 50 greatest Formula One drivers: Nos 30-21
The 50 greatest Formula One drivers: Nos 20-11
The 50 greatest Formula One drivers: Nos 10-1

40. Tony Brooks

25.2.1932

Great Britain

Grands prix: 38

Wins: 6

World Championships: none

The qualified dentist from Cheshire is spoken of with genuine affection by all who came into contact with him. Regarded as one of the finest drivers of his generation, but too polite and mild-mannered to unleash a killer instinct during one of the most competitive eras in Formula One racing.

39. Carlos Reutemann

12.4.1942

Argentina

Grands prix: 146

Wins: 12

World Championships: none

Somewhat enigmatic man from Santa Fe, now a politician, promised much for Brabham and Ferrari before moving to Williams, where he came within a hair’s breadth of becoming champion, only losing out at the final race of the 1981 season to Nelson Piquet. Inexplicably walked away from the sport two races into the 1982 season.

38. Jackie Ickx

1.1.1945

Belgium

Grands prix: 116

Wins: 8

World Championships: none

Enjoyed brilliant spells with Ferrari and Brabham but never came close to achieving the championship that many had marked him down for. Considered so fast that Sir Jackie Stewart once suggested the Belgian slow down for his own self-preservation. Finished his career in uncompetitive Ensign and Ligier cars.

37. Rubens Barrichello

23.5.1972

Brazil

Grands prix: 210

Wins: 9

World Championships: none

Refuses to give up and has secured a seat at Brawn Racing for 2009 to extend an already long career. Likeable Brazilian who could match Michael Schumacher, his Ferrari team-mate, for pace on his day but was too psychologically vulnerable ever to master the German. However, he could win in grand style, as he did memorably at Silverstone in 2003.

36. Jody Scheckter

29.1.1950

South Africa

Grands prix: 112

Wins: 10

World Championships: 1 (1979)

Hugely talented if somewhat accident-prone - with 16 crashes recorded in seven seasons - Scheckter achieved his championship at Ferrari while partnered with the mercurial Gilles Villeneuve. A later career in the arms industry has been followed by life as an organic farmer in the South of England.

35. Felipe Massa

25.4.1981

Brazil

Grands prix: 106

Wins: 11

World Championships: none

So near yet so far, heart-breakingly defeated in 2008 by a single point by Lewis Hamilton. Massa has rarely been treated as a serious contender but has won grudging respect, not only for standing up to Hamilton but also for quelling the undoubted talent of Kimi Raikkonen, his Ferrari team-mate. Still time for a title.

34. Ronnie Peterson

14.2.1944 to 11.9.1978

Sweden

Grands prix: 123

Wins: 10

World Championships: none

Regarded by Max Mosley, president of the FIA and former team owner at March, as one of the fastest drivers of all time. Spectacular style that took him to second place in the 1971 championship behind Jackie Stewart, but killed in a Lotus Ford during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

33. Didier Pironi

26.3.1952 to 23.8.1987

France

Grands prix: 70

Wins: 3

World Championships: none

Infamous for his tremendous infighting with Gilles Villeneuve while they were team-mates at Ferrari. Fuelled by desire to become the first French champion but thwarted disastrously in a massive, career-ending accident in practice for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. Killed in a powerboat crash in the Solent.

32. David Coulthard

27.3.1971

Great Britain

Grands prix: 247

Wins: 13

World Championships: none

The great underachiever, unlucky enough to have pitched up in F1 at the same time as two fierce talents, Mika Hakkinen, his McLaren team-mate, and Michael Schumacher. On his day, an awesomely fast driver, but, arguably, allowed his constant self-analysis to overwhelm his undoubted gifts. Still the highest British points scorer in history.

31. Denny Hulme

18.6.1936 to 4.10.1992

New Zealand

Grands prix: 112

Wins: 8

World Championships: 1 (1967)

Regarded as a tough and irascible character but deeply affected by the death of Bruce McLaren, his countryman and friend. Rose to prominence as Jack Brabham’s team-mate but could more than hold his own during a Formula One era that was both flamboyant and highly competitive.