Larger than life heroes; chain-smoking mavericks; laconic Finns; and famous victims of fortune – Formula One racing has produced a plethora of unusual stars whose reputation extended far past what they achieved on track. Ahead of the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship, we take a look at some of the sport’s most iconic cult stars.
All-time leaders and multiple champions have been ruled out, but who makes the cut? Our rolling countdown starts with a famously tempestuous and blindingly quick man from Colombia – Juan Pablo Montoya…
Juan Pablo Montoya
Brash, fiery and just the right side of cocky, the mercurial Colombian built a cult following as much for his no-nonsense personality as for his devastating speed, wheel-banging commitment and willingness to put the seemingly unbeatable Michael Schumacher to the sword.
Nigh on unbeatable on his day, Montoya could be infuriatingly anonymous or downright sulky on others – but for fans there was very little not to love. From his rapid pace on track to his ‘loose’ language in press conferences and comically vicious outbursts (an errant cameraman and Kimi Raikkonen were just two of those caught feeling his wrath on TV), there was rarely a dull moment with Juan around.
Just ask Ron Dennis, who famously butted heads with the seven-time Grand Prix winner after a controversial ‘tennis’ injury – rumoured to have been sustained not on the court but on a motorbike – forced him to miss two races in 2005…