It is a fact that every generation has within it individuals who will be superior to the best of those in past generations. Why? Because they will have the benefit of the discoveries and knowledge of those who have gone before. Over time, the improvements in health care, healthy life-style, education and countless other advances affecting their growth, health, knowledge, understanding and longevity will equip them to be better than their forebears. That is why athletes of today continue to break the records of those of the past.
Would Alberto Ascari get his head round the technology in today's pit? he'd probably have trouble understanding the buttons on Alonso's steering wheel. I now that's an extreme example but ...
The fact is that Madonado proved some of us wrong by taking that Williams to the top step of the podium on Sunday. That was special and my personal jury is still out on how good he is or will become. What I do know is this, most of the young people I have occasion to teach today are brighter and sharper today than young people of the same age groups that I worked with twenty years ago. Their opportunities to shine and surpass the achievements of their ancestors are limited only by our ability to nurture their aspirations and abilities and to provide them with the technical equipment to do the job.
For those reasons I am confident that many of todays grid are at least as good and likely to be better than those greats who have gone before. That is not to denigrate the achievements and qualities of our heroes and heroines of the past. It is in fact a testament to their greatness that the young people who have followed in their footsteps will have learnt a great deal of their craft from the masters. It is a well accepted truism by masters of Martial Arts that their best students will always surpass the abilities of their teachers.
That's only my own humble opinion, mind.
"Take the pebble from my hand and it will be time for you to leave" Fictional Shaolin Priest