Does the best car always win?

[Michael Ferner]

Bottom post of the previous page:

Lotus in 1986. Something like nine or ten pole positions, but only two or three wins.

Similarly: Williams in 2002. JPM had seven poles, and Ralf got one win.

But Ferrari had ten poles, so Williams wasn't the best car. Plus, the red cars were bullet proof.

[John]

One could perhaps argue that JYS didn't have the best car in the field in 1973.

Same, maybe, for the Brabham BT24 in 1967, even though the Lotus 49 was still ironing out its teething troubles. Surtees in 1964 springs to mind, and Graham Hill in 1963.

[Everso Biggyballies]

..... Graham Hill in 1963.

Do you mean 1962, when Hill won the title for BRM, but the Lotus-Climax was probably the faster car, Clark suffering from a few mechanical woes particularly clutch problems IIRC. Clark won 3 of the 4 races he scored points in, two of those flag to flag. Clark mechanically DNF'd 4 of the 9 races, Hill just one DNF..

Clark was leading when he DNF'din South Africa, running 2nd in Italy when the Gearbox failed (early in the race)
Running 2nd when he retired in Monaco, and was leading the Dutch GP when clutch problems leaving him last.


Of course is this a case of the Lotus not being the best car despite its speed due to the mechanical issues.

[John]

..... Graham Hill in 1963.

Do you mean 1962,

Yes, I do.

[MonteCristo]

Lotus in 1986. Something like nine or ten pole positions, but only two or three wins.

Similarly: Williams in 2002. JPM had seven poles, and Ralf got one win.

But Ferrari had ten poles, so Williams wasn't the best car. Plus, the red cars were bullet proof.

Makes you wonder what Chin would have done in qualifying in the Williams though instead of Ralf.

[CLDan]

I don't think Mercedes had the best car in 2017 nor 2018...

[White six]

I don't think Mercedes had the best car in 2017 nor 2018...

I think you'd be in a minority there. It seems Ferrari had to do all kinds of dodgy development to give themselves a chance

[PTRACER]

Agreed, best chassis and best engine for 7 seasons in a row now. I wonder what their secret is?

[Michael Ferner]

$$$

[Everso Biggyballies]

$$$

Container loads of it.

[JBT]

Toyota spent big $$$, at least as much or more than their rivals on the grid. But got nowhere in comparison to Mercedes success.. More $$$ spent compared to your competitors doesn't guarantee results...

[Matt]

You could make a case that in 2005 the McLaren MP4/20 was a superior car to Renault's R25.

[Everso Biggyballies]

You could make a case that in 2005 the McLaren MP4/20 was a superior car to Renault's R25.

..... but the McLaren had woeful reliability. Is a car that breaks down a lot, but is a rocket ship when it lasts, superior? Tortoise / Hair / WDC etc....

[Michael Ferner]

Hair on a turtle? A rug?? I'm just trying to picture that...

[Everso Biggyballies]

Hair on a turtle? A rug?? I'm just trying to picture that...

Lol.... ok a Hare then!

[Nononsensecapeesh]

The 2021 Red Bull, if it had been anyone other than Max Verstappen in that car, Lewis would be an 8-time Champion by now.