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F1'S GREATEST DRIVERS - AUTOSPORT persuaded 217 world championship Formula 1 heroes to vote for the all-time greates driver
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The first Finn to win the world championship was notable in many ways: he only won one race all season, and he was the last title winner to use the famous Ford DFV engine - before the turbos took over.
Taking over from the retiring Alan Jones at Williams in 1982, Rosberg's sole victory that year came in the Swiss GP at Dijon, his maiden success in F1. He took the title by five points, and was the only man to outscore Ferrari's Didier Pironi who didn't take part in the final four races of the season due to career-ending leg injuries.
Rosberg came closest to repeating his success in 1985, when he placed third. This included him setting a 160mph qualifying lap of Silverstone, which stood as the fastest-ever lap until 2002. It was also the only year he won more than grand prix in a season.
He retired from his final grand prix, in Australia, while leading for McLaren.
STATISTICS
| Born | 6 Dec 1948 |
| Age | 75 |
| Active years | 1978 - 1986 |
| Champion | 1982 |
| Presences | 128 |
| Starts | 114 |
| Wins | 5 |
| Podiums | 17 |
| Poles | 5 |
| Front row | 10 |
| Fastest laps | 3 |
| Races led | 20 |
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