Sixty seasons of F1 now completed and the final season of the "noughties". So who do we rate as the top 10 F1 drivers of the years 2000-2009? I'll start:

1. Michael Schumacher
Won the first five titles of the noughties, some in dominant fashion. Don't think this is really in question

2. Fernando Alonso
The man who stopped Schumi. Two titles for a Benetton/Renault team that hadn't won a title for ten years beforehand. Bit of an iffy 07 but still mighty impressive on many occasions. 08 and 09 were also excellent seasons for him personally. Still the man to beat.

3. Kimi Raikkonen
Unlucky in 03 and 05 but got a deserved title in 07. A bit lacklustre in the last two seasons but still a formidable driver for much of the decade.

4. Lewis Hamilton
Only contested three championships out of 10, but already won 11 Grand Prix and 1 world title. Also ousted the current world champion from McLaren and looks like being one of the favourites, along with Alonso, next season.

Now it gets less easy.

5. Jenson Button
One of only a few drivers to compete in all 10 seasons. He had a good 2000 before being forced to a poor Benetton team and struggling. Then he moved again to Honda when he had a superb 2004, beaten only by possibly the best driver/team combination ever. His win at Hungary in 06 was excellent in the middle of some tough seasons in more cars. But then 2009 came along and he grabbed his chance well.

6. Juan Montoya
I considered putting him above Button, but he didn't win a title. Had one "good" chance in 03 but events transpired against him, particularly at Indianapolis when he was severely stitched up. I always felt he should have won more races than he did, maybe I'm harsh on him. I certainly loved his personality and his no nonsense attitude. Wish we had more drivers like him in F1.

7. Felipe Massa
Had a strange start to his F1 career at Sauber when he was known as accident-prone. Then he was plucked surprisingly and thrust into the Ferrari 2nd seat when Schumacher retired. However, he beat Kimi to a pulp last season and claimed the number 1 spot at the team before cementing it this season before his accident. Hopefully he will continue his excellent form when he returns.

8. Mika Hakkinen
Would have won the title in 2000 if they hadn't changed the tyre regulations to suit the Bridgestone-clad Ferrari towards the end of the season. Had a lacklustre 01 before retiring but deserves his place in the top 10 for his pass on Schumacher at Spa in 2000 alone.

9. Sebastian Vettel
Any driver who wins in a Minardi( ) is clearly class. Had two excellent seasons in F1 to date and is a definite future world champion. Was a tad unlucky in places this season and did well to take the Brawns down to the penultimate race. Should be a factor next season in the Newey Red Bull.

10. Rubens Barrichello
Can't believe I've typed his name but there it is. Now I'll tell you why. His finishing positions in the 10 championships read as follows: 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 4th, 2nd, 8th, 7th, 20th, 14th, 3rd. So ignoring the dodgy two seasons, it's been a consistent decade for Rubens, even if he has more than outstayed his welcome now.

It's not as easy as you think - you soon run out of drivers!

i'd agree with that, maybe buttons a bit high, but his world title does bump him up a bit.

montoya and f1 seem to have forghotten each other but he deserves to be there imo.

no roon for ralf schumacher or jarno trulli?

Personally, i'd put Piquet in there aswell... Well, he did get Alonso a win

I'd probably put Massa higher up aswell, but apart from that,

I cannot fault your list, but I would put Button in 7th place.