Recent Formula 1 Upsets
Upsets are somewhat rare in Formula 1 racing. In general, the sport tends to break down to the “haves” and the “have nots” as there is a significant gap between the top teams in the sport and everyone else. In general the top teams compete for the race victories while everyone else hopes for a points finish.
However, there are exceptions to the rule. On occasion, circumstances can arise that allow a presumed also-ran to earn a shocking race victory. Below is a look at some of the biggest Formula 1 upsets in recent history.
2009 Australian Grand Prix: In hindsight, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello finishing first and second for Brawn GP at the season-opening race in 2009 hardly qualifies as an upset – especially since Button would go on to win the Drivers’ Championship while the Brawn GP team would claim the Constructors’ Championship. However, it was a major shock at the time – mostly because the team was created following the buy-out of the Honda team. Button made it a perfect weekend after he won from the pole. Brawn GP was the first team since Mercedes in 1954 to claim the pole and the race victory in their maiden race.
2009 Chinese Grand Prix: Echoing the stunning success of the Brawn GP team at the season opening Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull would pull of a perfect race weekend just two races later. Sebastian Vettel would win the race after starting from the pole position while teammate Mark Webber would go on to finish second after qualifying third. It was the first pole and the first race victory for Red Bull after four seasons of frustration. It was the beginning of a breakthrough season for Red Bull, as they would win six races and finish second behind Brawn GP in the Constructors’ Championship.
2008 Canadian Grand Prix: Robert Kubica had been pegged for stardom since his first season driving for BMW Sauber in 2006. He finished in third place in his third race at Monza and was in the top 10 in three of the six races he had that season. However, getting his first career victory in 2007 would not happen; in fact he failed to place on the podium. Things turned around at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix in a race marred by a pit lane incident which took out contenders Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen. Kubica claimed first while his teammate Nick Heidfeld finished second. It was the only win for the team as BMW Sauber folded at the end of the season.
2006 Malaysian Grand Prix: While Renault was a dominant team in Formula 1 in 2006, it was Fernando Alonso who was the clear lead driver as he won his second consecutive Drivers’ Championship while the team would claim the Constructors’ Championship. The fact that Renault would win the first three races of the season wasn’t that surprising. However, the fact that Giancarlo Fisichella would win the race was very surprising. Fisichella had an incredibly strong weekend, winning the race from the pole. It was Fisichella’s third Formula 1 victory and the most recent of his career – he’s now at the test driver at Ferrari.
2004 Monaco Grand Prix: The Monaco Grand Prix is the glamour event of the Formula 1 season and a victory can help propel a driver to fame and glory. However, that wasn’t the case for Jarno Trulli after he won the 2004 Monaco Grand Prix from the pole to claim his first – and only – Formula 1 victory. Despite winning the race, his time with the Renault team was short-lived and he would be fired from the team before the end of the season.
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