F1: Top 5 Australian drivers of all time

Australians are every bit as enigmatic as they are entertaining. Are they not?

They have quite literally 'Donned' in Cricket (Sir Donald Bradman), brought a lot of character to Tennis and where Formula 1 is concerned, then they've broken new ground.

In a sport that tests one's resolve and reflexes endlessly so, it's absolutely brilliant to note some names that have given one of the world's fanciest and fastest sports talents of a very high pedigree; racers that have excelled through both thrilling feats and multiple world championships.

At a time where the Lewis Hamilton versus Sebastian Vettel - the common (or dominant) discussion in the sport is back to where it belongs; on headlines and on everyone's minds, with the 2019 season only a few hours away from the start, it's worthwhile to note the best Australian F1 drivers of all time.

So while you have your own picks, what do you think of the following?

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#1 Sir Jack Brabham

Few can better Sir Jack Brabham where greatness and absolute professionalism in the sport is concerned.

14 race wins, and utter dominance in the 1959 and 1960 F1 seasons, Jack Brabham remains, to this day, arguably, the greatest among the Australian F1 drivers.

Engineering expertise, driving skill, and a commanding presence, Brabham epitomized all three distinct facets in the sport.

An absolute legend, Jack Brabham won not one or two but 3 world championships.

Of these, the 2 titles he won came with Cooper (Cooper Car Company) which he himself helped develop.

His third-world title, however, that came in 1966, following a 6-year gap since his second crown (1960), came with Brabham, a Formula 1 team he co-founded with Ron Tauranac, a British-Australian engineer and racing car designer.

Implicit in John Arthur ‘Jack’ Brabham’s 16-year F1 career, were statistical highs that include 31 podium finishes, 12 fastest laps and some incredible race wins that came at Monaco (1959), the 1966 German Grand Prix at the legendary Nurburgring, the 1959 British Grand Prix, and the 1970 South African Grand Prix.

#2 Daniel Ricciardo

F1 Grand Prix of Australia - Final Practice

The mere mention of some racing drivers brings about a huge smile to everyone. But then, not everyone can manage the one as sparkling and carefree as Daniel Ricciardo’s, right?

Ricciardo may still be nearing the peak of his fitness and form in the tumultuous world of F1, but the ‘honeybadger’ is a bloke who has bagged 7 wins and 29 podium finishes already.

Having first entered in 2011, the Renault driver might have raced with Red Bull for the better part of his career (thus far).

But given his zeal for pure racing and that stellar ability to pull out rabbits out of the hat (such as the one we saw at Shanghai 2018), he is someone who’s expected to raise the game in the top-echelons of F1 in what lies ahead.

That said, how many world titles can Dan-Ric gather at the end of his career remains as much a part of intrigue as one of the modern sport’s most interesting queries.

#3 Mark Webber

F1 Grand Prix of Brazil 2012 - which was won by Webber

Not a world champion. Not a driver who even won four back to back Grands Prix either, to quote an example.

Mark Webber, famously hailed as ‘Aussie Grit’ brought to Formula 1 what few were able to, especially in an era where the troika of Hamilton (who’s still going undisputedly strong) Alonso and Raikkonen were ruling the charts: pure grit and tenacity.

The above was amplified in Webber’s steely resolve to counter Sebastian Vettel during the German’s reign of utter dominance at Red Bull, as seen time and again during the exciting contests such as the European GP (2007), the German GP (2009), Monte Carlo GP and the Brazilian GP (both for 2010) among other contests.

Apart from standing third on the drivers' standings consecutively for 2010 and 2011 seasons, Webber’s 8 wins, 15 podiums and his last win at Brazil, 2012, shall always underline the 42-year-old’s class and potential.

An uncomplicated character, Mark Webber must also be hailed for boasting his tremendous fitness levels and for his succinct commentary with which he fascinatingly broadens the scope for enjoying F1 through the eyes and minds of a commentator.

#4 David Brabham

David Brabham is Sir Jack Brabham, a multiple world champion's son

Brabham. Not just a name. Not just a popular surname. Rather, a legacy in the iconic world of Formula 1.

Right? What Sir Jack Brabham gave to the sport could never have been thought of. Yet, the Australian carved an identity of his own; one that was as unique as it was thrilling.

But to a world that believes in comparisons and then, conveniently, also suggests that they ‘achieve nothing’ perhaps in the guise of being philosophical, it must be said, even as David Brabham didn’t achieve staggering success in Formula 1, his tenacity and talent afforded him hundreds and thousands of fans.

While David competed in 24 Grands Prix and could manage only a best-place finish of P10, at the 1994 Spanish GP (Catalunya), he would always be remembered for his talent and sheer grit in Formula Three.

David Brabham demonstrated a sterling example of the above was demonstrated in winning the 1989 Macau Grand Prix with Bowman Racing, ahead of Julian Bailey and Christophe Bouchut, of Team Schubel and KTR respectively.

That said, what one cannot and mustn’t from David Brabham’s career is his showing tremendous character at motivating the Simtek F1 team post the tumultuous 1994 season, when he lost his teammate Roland Ratzenberger at the horrific events at Imola, that also took away Senna.

#5 Warwick Brown

Brown's a revered name in the annals of racing

Brown may surely not have been even an iota of men considered to be among the greatest Australian F1 drivers, for quite clearly his very debut race became his final F1 race - the reference to the context being the 1976 US GP - but the Sydney-born made a name for himself in the Tasman Series.

He had won the Tasman series in 1975, driving a Lola T332 Chevrolet.

Moreover, among the finest achievements of the 69-year-old Aussie was his winning the Rothmans International Series in Australia, not once but twice, which happened to be a famous Australian motor-racing series that was held from 1976 to 1979.

While the world of F1 racing may not particularly count Mr Brown as a great, it can be said for certain that the Aussie's calibre and that ability to go fast in a race car was second to few others at his time.