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The four Formula 1 drivers Martin Brundle chose when asked to pick his Mount Rushmore of motor racing

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Across the 75-year history of Formula 1, there have been plenty of incredible talents to grace the pinnacle of motor racing.

Max Verstappen is the latest driver to put himself in that pantheon after becoming a four-time world champion last season.

The likes of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will believe they have a chance to add their names to the growing list of Formula 1 drivers’ champions, but they have a long way to go to be considered all-time greats.

Position Drivers' Championship Points
1

Oscar Piastri

99
2

Lando Norris

89
3

Max Verstappen

87
4

George Russell

73
5

Charles Leclerc

47
6

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

38
7

Lewis Hamilton

31
8

Alexander Albon

20
9

Esteban Ocon

14
10

Lance Stroll

10

Martin Brundle has seen his fair share of Formula 1 action, both as a driver and a commentator.

He made his debut alongside Ayrton Senna in 1984, before immediately switching to the media side of the sport for the 1997 campaign, although Brundle was fuming with Jordan for ending his F1 career.

In that time, he’s seen some of the fastest drivers in Formula 1’s history dominate proceedings for years at a time and has now named the four racers to considers to be his Mount Rushmore of the sport.

READ MORE: He is the F1 driver Ayrton Senna considered ‘the best of the best’ and once declared was his ‘boyhood hero’

Martin Brundle, Sky Television Presenter, 2014 Austrian Grand Prix
Photo by Darren Heath/Getty Images

Martin Brundle names his Mount Rushmore of Formula 1 including Lewis Hamilton and Ayrton Senna

Brundle was asked some quickfire questions by Lucas Stewart, grandson of the great Sir Jackie Stewart, on his YouTube channel.

He revealed that the Marlboro McLaren was his favourite livery and he was an admirer of Nelson Piquet’s helmet design.

Brundle shared that World Cup winner Bobby Moore was his idol growing up, and he would love to bring back ‘normally aspirated V10s’ instead of the current engines.

Although F1 has discussed the return of V10 engines, it doesn’t appear as though Brundle will be getting his wish in that regard.

The Nordschleife, the old version of the Nurburgring, is Brundle’s favourite track, before being asked to produce his Mount Rushmore of Formula 1.

He answered, “[Ayrton] Senna, [Michael] Schumacher, [Jim] Clark, [Lewis] Hamilton.

“Not necessarily in that order, and I haven’t mentioned your grandad, but that’s my top four.”

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton is now experiencing the same problem Michael Schumacher had in ill-fated comeback with Mercedes

How Formula 1’s all-time greatest drivers compare in their different eras of racing

It says a lot about how competitive Formula 1 has been in its history that the likes of Verstappen, five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio and four-time title winner Alain Prost didn’t make the cut in Brundle’s selection.

Jim Clark was a two-time champion, but his record during his 72 Grand Prix starts is remarkable, winning more than one-third of the races he participated in.

Senna and Brundle competed before reaching Formula 1, and while the Brit somehow never took a race win, his Brazilian counterpart achieved three championships before his tragic death in 1994.

GRAND PRIX STATSJIM CLARKAYRTON SENNAMICHAEL SCHUMACHERLEWIS HAMILTON
Starts72161306370*
Pole positions336568104*
Podiums3280155202*
Wins254191105*
Fastest laps28197767*
Points255 (274)610 (614)15664,971.5*
Championships2377*

He also competed in what was arguably F1’s most competitive period, having to fight off the likes of Prost, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet every season.

Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher share the honour of being the two most successful drivers in Formula 1 with seven titles each.

Aside from Verstappen, it’s hard to see another driver in the modern era reaching that total, and even then the Dutchman is going to need some luck on his side to be in the right car at the right time.

Schumacher predicted Hamilton’s brilliance early in his career, and Brundle is right to immediately their unbelievable talents.