American Formula 1 Drivers
Despite being an international driving competition, Formula 1 racing has failed to take off in the United States like it has in other parts of the world. American race fans prefer their own brand of racing like NASCAR and Indy Car racing rather than the Formula 1 version of the sport. This lack of interest in the sport has translated to a lack of drivers – most talented American drivers stick to domestic forms of racing rather than venturing overseas for a shot at Formula 1 racing.
To be fair, there has certainly been a bias against American drivers in the sport – traditionally, many teams have had a short leash when it comes to Americans driving in the sport. However, with Formula 1 returning to America in 2012 and the sport looking to expand interest in the United States, Formula 1 officials would love to have an American driver involved. If they do, they would join a short list of American drivers who found success in Formula 1.
Phil Hill: In 1961, the Californian became the first American to win the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship while driving for Ferrari. However, Hill’s victory came shrouded in tragedy, as he clinched the title in the penultimate race of the season – which featured a crash that killed his teammate Wolfgang von Trips. Hill spent just one more year with Ferrari and would not win another race after his 1961 season.
Mario Andretti: The Italian-born, Pennsylvania-raised Andretti is considered by many to be the greatest driver in American racing history. Along with winning the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500, Andretti also became the second (and most recent) American driver to win the Formula 1 world title when he claimed the honours in 1978. The manner of his victory was frighteningly similar to Hill’s triumph – Andretti’s teammate Ronnie Peterson was killed in an opening lap crash in the final race of the season when Andretti claimed the title.
Dan Gurney: If anyone had a legitimate claim to challenge Andretti as the most versatile American race car driver ever, it’s Gurney. He became the first driver ever to win races in Formula 1, Indy Car and NASCAR. Before becoming a successful car owner and designer, Gurney was an elite driver. He won four times in Formula 1 racing, with his last victory coming in the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix.
Peter Revson: Before being killed in a practice crash before the 1974 South African Grand Prix, Revson was one of the most successful American drivers of his generation. He finished in fifth place in the Drivers’ Championship in 1972 and 1973, including winning both the British Grand Prix and Canadian Grand Prix in 1973. He also won the Indianapolis 500 in 1971, joining an elite list of drivers to win Indianapolis 500s and Formula 1 races.
Mark Donohue: Although Donohue never won a Formula 1 race, he might have been one of the most talented American drivers ever to participate in the sport. The crowning achievement in Donohue’s career was his victory in the 1972 Indianapolis 500 but he was also a pioneering Trans-Am and Can-Am series driver before coming out of retirement to drive for Roger Penske in Formula 1. He claimed one podium in two seasons before being killed in a practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Eddie Cheever: Although he never won a Formula 1 race, Cheever started 132 Formula 1 races, more than any other American driver. He placed on the podium nine times, including finishing second in both the 1982 Detroit Grand Prix and the 1983 Canadian Grand Prix. He later left Formula 1 for Indy Car racing, owning his own team and winning the 1998 Indianapolis 500.
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