The top 10 fictional racing drivers

Amid the success of Rush and Senna on the silver screen, the stalling of the biopic of Jackie Stewart and the rumoured plans for a Cevert film, Formula 1 and its true stories are very much in vogue in Hollywood at present.

Before this trend began however, many films were made telling original stories set in various disciplines of the sport, several of which successfully captured the imagination of motorsport fans.

So let's suspend reality, forget the biopics and imagine a world where the characters that Hollywood created were real drivers. Who was the best ever?

10. PETE ARON
Portrayed by James Garner in Grand Prix

Americans have rarely shone in Formula 1 as much as their European counterparts, but the man who came closest to unlocking that level of genius required did so during a heroic and ultimately tragic 1966 season.

Having had an uncomfortable spell at Ferrari and then been fired from BRM by the tempestuous Jeff Jordan, Aron was desperate for a drive anywhere. Iso Yamura gave him the lead drive in his squad and a new Pete Aron emerged, one with guts, determination and a new flame.

Wins at Spa and the Nurburgring showed he was better than ever, but upon winning the title with victory at Monza, he promptly retired.

Key moment: Wheel-to-wheel with Scott Stoddard for the world championship at Monza in 1966.

9. ERICH STAHLER
Portrayed by Siegfried Rauch in Le Mans

A very likeable character in the paddock, Stahler had as much charm off the circuit as he had ruthlessness on it. It was no wonder he led Ferrari's Le Mans campaign for 1970 as he had the ability to dominate the sport. He was never a spectacular driver, but he was always able to put himself in the right place at the right time.

His rivalry with Michael Delaney made him the star he was. Under his own steam he probably would never have shown he had the magic

Finishing second at Le Mans in 1970 was more about his strategic intelligence than his raw ability as a driver, but his credentials as a champion were undeniable.

Key moment: Passing a determined Michael Delaney on the last lap at Le Mans in 1970.

8. JEAN GIRARD
Portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Frenchmen and NASCAR do not have a traditional chemistry, but then Jean Girard is not traditional. At all. In the slightest. Unafraid to show his personality or his style to the world, no other F1 race winner has been able to adapt to NASCAR with quite the same excellence. His only weakness perhaps is his uncontrollable and slightly zealous need to compete.

Girard is the ultimate Marmite racing driver: you either love him or hate him, but can you think of a driver before or since who has taken NASCAR by the throat in quite such a manner?

Key moment: Winning on his NASCAR debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2006.

7. JEAN-PIERRE SARTI
Portrayed by Yves Montand in Grand Prix

Senior Manetta is standing in the pits holding a black flag to his Ferrari drivers with the Prancing Horse emblem upon it. The words rang out around Monza as the sky filled with black, thick smoke: "Sarti immorto".

Already a world champion in 1961, it is rumoured that Sarti, battling for the championship again, was driving angry after being threatened with dismissal from 'his' Ferrari team, something that the Tifosi would probably have protested with passionate fury. Instead, he was spectacularly and horrifically taken from them before their very eyes.

Key moment: His dominant display at Clermont-Ferrand in 1966.

6. FRANK CAPUA
Portrayed by Paul Newman in Winning

Some drivers make winning look easy. Frank Capua made it look effortless. As an able sportscar champion, his desire to take on The Brickyard wasn't exactly surprising, but an Indianapolis 500 win was unlikely.

His team-mate Lou Erding was the lead driver, outspoken and eloquent. Capua was the opposite: an introvert with a million. But when it came to the crunch in 1969, at the first scent of an opportunity, Capua grabbed it with both hands and flew away. Nobody saw which way he went, and he won Indy in possibly the most commanding manner ever.

Key moment: Indianapolis 1969. From start to finish.

5. MICHAEL DELANEY
Portayed by Steve McQueen in Le Mans

Few would argue that he was probably the most iconic and stylish racing driver ever. But if one were to actually look at his record of races, there are almost as many accidents as there are victories on his resume.

The turning point when this mysterious man finally cemented his true ability was the most sensational Le Mans ever: 1970. True, he had destroyed his Porsche, but when it was he who was asked to take the final stint of the sister #21 car, we finally saw the real Delaney.

How he held off Stahler so long is still one of the great questions of motorsport, just hours after a smash that could easily have killed him. The fact that he didn't win has been conveniently forgotten.

Key moment: Banging wheels with Erich Stahler and hanging on at the Porsche Curves at Le Mans in 1970.

4. JOE TANTO
Portrayed by Sylvester Stallone in Driven

Most witnesses recalling it now barely believe it. It couldn't have happened, shouldn't have happened. It practically defied the laws of physics. But THAT move on the last lap of the last race of the season came from 'The Hummer' in ultimate fighting mode: with nothing to lose and a point to prove.

He was struggling all season to restore his former reputation as a legend of his sport. His amazing move enabled young rookie team-mate Jimmy Bly to beat rival Beau Brandenburg by an inch, while Tanto casually spun across the finish line for third.

Key moment: Moving over and allowing the title to go to the finish line in Detroit in 2000.

3. RICKY BOBBY
Portrayed by Will Ferrell in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

It's ironic that he is very similar to his greatest rival Jean Girard: you either love him or hate him. Most however, adore him. Champion, superstar, gladiator, maniac.

There are times when he too has the ability to defy the laws of physics with a racing car, and his breakdown perhaps tells you that there might not be much more to this obscure figure of America's biggest spectator sport than winning.

His tendency to occasionally insult or offend has been known to teeter on the edge of bringing NASCAR into disrepute, but it definitely makes a great show. He may not have done quite enough to be top of this list, but there are enough fanatics out there who believe him to be the best for it not to matter. Including him.

Key moment: THAT run to the finish line, and winning by a glove at Talladega 2006.

2. COLE TRICKLE
Portrayed by Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder

As a rookie, he had speed but no self-confidence. Unlocking that was the key to his career. Grabbing his first win was the turning point, setting him on an incredible streak of victories. His controversial comeback from injury told of a Trickle unwilling to believe in himself and even willing to sacrifice himself to save face, but then came Daytona.

In the ultimate underdog story, at the wheel of his greatest rival's car and against the wishes of crew chief Harry Hogge, he flew from the ashes of his reputation and put the unpopular Wheeler firmly in his place, to complete an incredible transition and attain the ultimate hero status he richly deserved.

Key moment: "Going high" and then "going low" at Turn 4, Daytona 1990.

1. SCOTT STODDARD
Portrayed by Brian Bedford in Grand Prix

Monaco 1966. Pete Aron is in the harbour, and Scott Stoddard is slumped like a ragdoll in his car, bleeding from head to toe. He should have been killed. That he left hospital shortly after the next grand prix in France was a monumental victory in itself. But it was only when he was lifted into the BRM at Zandvoort, grabbed pole position and then won at a canter without being able to walk unaided, that he proved to the world that winning wasn't just a necessity for Stoddard, but a code.

Second place was not enough anymore. Wins at Watkins Glen and Mexico City followed, to put him firmly in the hunt for the title, and he'd probably have sewn it all up had he not passed out at Brands Hatch while leading, apparently so high on painkillers he could barely see.

But given that the story that began with his collision with Aron in Monaco, had now culminated in a valiant joust between the two men at Monza, losing the championship by one point was actually Scott's greatest victory. Nobody's star shone quite as bright as his. Feared by all, hated by no one.

Key moment: Zandvoort 1966, sheer dominance whilst still on crutches. Unbelievable.

WHO DIDN'T MAKE THE LIST?

There are so many drivers to choose from who are just as notable. There's Cal Naughton Jr, long-suffering number two to Ricky Bobby, or Michel Vaillant who captained his team to an unbelievable victory at Le Mans in 2002 with the aid of female stars Julie Wood and Gabrielle Spangenberg.

There's Larry Wilson and Paul-Jacques Dion who won that epic Le Mans in 1970, the Italian stallion Nino Barlini who led Ferrari after Sarti's tragic death, and brutal rivals Beau Brandenberg and Jimmy Bly who wowed the CART world in 2000.

The man who stands closest to this list has to be NASCAR legend Rowdy Burns, who became Trickle's closest rival and greatest friend.

A small mention should also be made for a couple of future female stars Alexis Johnstone and Maggie Peyton, who could eventually appear in this list if their careers live up to their early promise.