RajDatta

1. Michael Schumacher 8.497
2. Lewis Hamilton 7.595
3. Mika Hakkinen 7.511
4. Fernando Alonso 7.367
5. Kimi Raikkonen 7.265
6. Sebastian Vettel 6.961
7. Robert Kubica 6.374
8. Mark Webber 6.174
9. Jenson Button 6.023
10. Juan-Pablo Montoya 5.632

#1, Can't argue with #1 based purely on results. He was very good and was the preferred driver throughout his career. There was a period between Hakkinen's retirement and Alonso's emergence, where he had little competition. He racked up a few championship in that period. Bridgestone helped tons with tires made specifically for the Ferrari, which also thwarted the competition. All in all, still have to give him #1 based on his championships.
#2. Don't agree with Hamilton. He has botched 2 championships, while winning only 1. How can you put him ahead of #3 and #4, who both have multiple championships.
Hakkinen was very fast, but needed the car. He could not cope with an imperfect car like Schumacher or Alonso can. That would put Alonso ahead of Hakkinen at #2. Alonso won against Schumacher, so added bonus for that.
#3 would be Hakkinen for his multiple championships. He was amazing in 1 lap qualifying and made some of the greatest and ballsy passes in F1. He also won against Schumacher, which is worth additional points.
#4 would have to be Hamilton. He is very fast but tends to make too many mistakes. He has shown some maturity but needs to stop shooting himself in the foot. Even though Vettel might be faster in pure pace, Hamilton has better race craft, so he has to be ahead of Vettel.
#5: Vettel, very fast but needs to make less mistakes. I am sure he will be multiple WDC. He showed that when he is focused, he can keep it together, by winning this years WDC.
#6: Kimi, very fast but needs the right car. Does not have the developmental skills or cares enough.
#7: No issues with Kubica. He has shown what he can do in a mediocre car. Excellent at developing a car.
#8:Webber, he is very fast but fragile. Does not have the make up of a champion and folds under pressure.
#9: Montoya, ahead of Button. Button won his championship due to his car's vast superiority over it's competition. He will never win another championship.
#10: Rubins Barichello, he is faster than Button and has shown excellent speed throughout his career. When allowed to race against his team mates, he has held his own.

RajDatta

Actually, I am going nowhere, so when you are getting done with your teabag session with Schumi, please come by to say hello

Nizer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSMQM4ASGRg

multi21

Raj, you make valid points up until #8-#10. Webber did not fold under pressure, he had a broken shoulder for the past 4 races. Injury does not equal folding.

Montoya only won 6 races in top flight cars. Can't put him in the list at all.

Rubens should be on the list, but the knock on him is he is not champion material. He's a very good person personally, but he lack a killer instict, is not selfish enough, and doesn't have the ego to be a WDC.

Just my .02

ltc

Tires made specifically for the Ferrari...and Michelin just called Tire Rack for all it's teams...
And the FIA made a change to the tire spec that favored Michelin IIRC.

I believe it was a tire war between Michelin and Bridgestone ... Kind of an odd war if there is only one participant.

Serge944

Lewis and Alonso above Kimi? F1 fans are clearly trippin'.