5 replies to this topic

[Schumi Fan]

I posted the same thing in the Reader's Comments, but I'm not sure if some of you go there anymore. Sorry about the double post.

I watched a program on Speedvision, and they said that in (ah, now I forgot the year, but early fifties) Alberto Ascari won 9 races during that season. I don't remember if they were 9 in a row (perhaps I'm pushing it a bit here). I was under the impression that Mansell was the first to achieve that in 92, and Schumi matched it in 95. Now it seems Ascari holds the record. Did I hear it wrong?

[Mellon]

He indeed won nine in a row but over two seasons. From Belgium '52 to Belgium '53.

[Don Capps]

This wasn't all that easy since one of his teammates, Nino Farina, was not at all enthralled with any concept of team orders that didn't place him in the catbird seat - Ascari often had to keep an eye peeled on his teammate since the good Doc was not above a little nudge here and there to let you know he was there. And he was not happy in the least that Ascari was "hogging" the glory and his performances showed it - at the German race in 1953 didn't blink to turn up the wick when Ascari dropped out. His lap times dropped as much as 10 seconds! Go figure.

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Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…

[Ray Bell]

Note that his team mate was the opposition. The Ferrari team in that year were apparently more dominant than McLaren when they wiped the board with fifteen out of sixteen.
Nigel Mansell had a lot more opposition, and in fact, I think you would have to say that Clark had a cakewalk in 63 compared to anyone who succeeded in later years.

[Duane]

Can't agree there.
Mansell should have had zero opposition.
The Mac was 1 to 2 seconds slower than the Williams, and Patrese was effectively neutered by the team. Mansell should have dominated more, Senna would have.

[Yelnats]

Ascari's string was particularly impressive because a season back then only consisted of about 9 races! Thats why total wins and pole positions are fairly meaningless statistics and should be reduced to %ages of races started.