Quote:
Originally Posted by Artemis
An aspect often overlooked when comparing Senna to modern-day F1 drivers like Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton and Verstappen: Senna had to operate 3 pedals and a stick shift most of his career, requiring more dexterity than 2 pedals and 2 gear shift paddles. Both hands and feet dancing around - the driver's seat as a workplace with more mechanics than electronics at play (Ferrari introduced the concept of a paddle-shifted transmission on their Ferrari Type 640 at the 1989 Brazil GP; by 1992 most teams favored paddles; by 1996 all teams shifted to paddles).
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Why it’s impossible to compare drivers across generations. H-pattern vs paddle shifter is just one. Engine, fuel, tyre, aerodynamics, size and weight of car, regulations, feeder series, budgets, travel, number of races, sizes of teams, onboard aids and controls, etc, etc, etc. Fangio and Verstappen would’ve struggled in each other’s times.