F1: Top 5 Rookie Drivers of All-time

#4 Ayrton Senna, 1984

Senna's drive at Monaco in 1984 was the stuff of legends.

Ayrton Senna is probably the fastest driver to ever pilot a Formula 1 car, and the Brazilian enjoyed a stellar debut season in F1. After turning down drives with McLaren and Williams, Senna began his Grand Prix career with the Toleman team, generally regarded as backmarkers amongst the paddock.

Senna surprised everyone, though, scoring points for the first time in South Africa (just his second race) before producing a mesmeric drive in Monaco. In torrential conditions, Ayrton outclassed the entire field and would've won the race had it not been for Alain Prost controversially waving at the stewards and demanding the red flag to be waved.

What's often overlooked in that season, is that Senna also scored another podium in Portugal, the scene of his first win the next year. By the season's end, he was 9th in the driver's standings on 13 points, level with Nigel Mansell in a far superior Lotus.