Many a talented driver has made it through to the ultimate level, Formula One. Very few go on to achieve higher results. Many leave with their reputation seemingly in tatters. Yes, Formula One will define a driver but let’s be clear, any driver that makes the category has got to have an extraordinary talent. It is a class of few, with many queuing up at the door.
The soon to be ex-McLaren F1 driver Stoffel Vandoorne has arguably achieved very little in his two-year tenure with the team. No podiums, but seven races finishing in the points and constantly being out-qualified by team mate Fernando Alonso. Vandoorne may face not having a F1 drive in 2019 and beyond, and is in danger of history showing very little for his time at the top.
Yet look at his CV leading up to F1 and he has achieved the results. Winning F4 Eurocup 1.6 (2010), Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2012), second in Formula Renault 3.5 (2013), second in GP2 (2014) and winning it a year later.
Step up his replacement driver Lando Norris. In 2016 he won the Toyota Racing Series, the Europcup Formula Renault 2.0 and the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC. In 2017 he went on to win the Formula 3 European Championship and finished second in the Macau Grand Prix. This season he currently lies in second place in Formula 2. Will he suffer the same fate as Vandoorne or are there other factors that may determine a different path?
The reality of the current Formula One grid is that few drivers will ever win a race. This season we have 22 drivers and the 14 races so far have been shared amongst just four drivers (Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo) from three teams. More may step up onto the podium but often this is by luck than design.
Some drivers’ will emulate Haas F1 driver Romain Grosjean, now in his eight season (although in danger of losing his 2019 seat). From 136 starts he has no wins and just 10 podiums. Yet he has managed to stay for a prolonged period in F1.
What of Sergio Perez and Kevin Magnussen? Perez is performing exceptionally well with Racing Point Force India while Magnussen is so far out-performing team mate Grosjean at Haas F1. Let’s not forget that both were drivers for McLaren F1, albeit for a short period! Both were abruptly let go, similar to Vandoorne. Fortune has seen them pick up seats in other teams and continue their career.
So what of Scuderia Toro Rosso driver and Kiwi Brendon Hartley? Yes, gaining a F1 drive has been a defining moment in what already is a stellar career that includes two World Endurance Championship titles and a win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. How long his stint in F1 last for is yet to unfold.
We are often to critical of what we perceive as under-performing F1 drivers. We are often not privy to all the factors involved.
Does it really matter for most of the select few? No, I don’t think so as we need to acknowledge that it is an extraordinary talent that gains a place on the grid. All have succeeded prior to becoming a F1 driver, few will have the opportunity to go to the next level of winning Grand Prix and even a world championship.
Comments