Picking out the best drivers from the season just gone

It’s that time of year again. Autosport has taken on the nearimpossible (and invariably controversial) challenge of ranking the best drivers in motorsport across the season. Many things have to be taken into account when putting the list together, including the level of the series in which the drivers compete, machinery at their disposal, and their level of experience. Turn to page 17 to see who made the list and why we’ve put the drivers in their positions. As ever, our Christmas double issue (which is £4.99 – we’ll be back to the normal £3.99 for the next issue on 2 January) has plenty more beyond the traditional top 50 list. As well as our annual pictures of the year (p54), and season reviews (p70), David Evans takes a look at the crisis currently threatening the World Rally Championship (p88), Paul Fearnley recalls how Jaguar managed to win a NASCAR race (p94), and Gary Watkins reveals some of the more alarming ways drivers have tried to raise money over the years (p98). Matt Kew also picks out the top 10 motorsport films (p106) – another list sure to spark debate over whichever festive tipple you choose. Our 20-page national section includes season highlights from veteran club-racing guru Marcus Pye, the top 10 drivers of the season, and an assessment of the best rivalries of 2019. Finally, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! This time last year we were asking for your votes for Formula 1’s ● greatest era. The 1974-82 period came out the winner, so look out for our special issue on that time on 2 January, which will also include our countdown of Belgian legend Jacky Ickx’s greatest drives.