F1: The five least successful drivers of all time - Formula 1

La F1 On the contrary, it is not inhabited only by champions. Most of the riders who have competed (or are still running) in the Circus are honest steering professionals who have achieved a podium or a few points as the best result in their careers.

Today we will show you five least successful drivers of all time: Athletes who have raced more Grand Prix without scoring points. In their defense, I must say that in their time it was more difficult to achieve this goal (today it is enough to cross the finish line in the top ten, a few years ago it was necessary to finish at least sixth or eighth.). Let's find out together their stories, which are more disappointing than successful, but still worthy of being told.

1st Luca Badoer (Italy)

A rider who, in his youth, competed in most Grand Prix without scoring points is considered to be very promising: after two titles in Italy in karting in 1992, he wins the championship. International Formula 3000 ahead of riders of the caliber of Rubens Barrichello, David Coulthard and Olivier Panis.

During his circus debut in 1993 Lola, he gets along better than his teammate (one Michele Alboreto), and the next year he becomes a tester for Minardi, the team he races with in 1995. In Faenza's team, he suffers from competition from Pierluigi Martini and Pedro Lamy all year round. after сильный gets better results than coéquipier Andrea Montermini.

In 1997 he moved to the championship. FIA GT driving a Lotus, and in the same year he was recruited as test for Ferrari, the role he held until 2010. His return to Formula 1 with Minardi dates back to 1999, not a very profitable year, when he lost to his partner Mark Genet.

From that point on, he decided to focus exclusively on Red's testing, actively participating in the development of single-seater vehicles capable of winning 14 world titles from 1999 to 2008. Felipe Massa on the occasion of the 2009 Hungarian GP (and Michael Schumacher's refusal to replace him) forces Maranello's top management to turn to Luca to continue the season, but after two disappointing Grand Prix's (17th in Valencia and 14th in Belgium) resolved the challenge Giancarlo Fisichellawhich gives the best results. At the end of 2010, he also completed his role as a tester at Ferrari.

Was born on January 25, 1971 in Montebelluna (Italy).

SEASONS: 5 (1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2009).

TREES: 4 (Lola, Minardi, Forti, Ferrari)

PALM: 51 GP

BEST PLACE: 7th

EXTRA F1 PALMARS: Formula 3000 International Champion (1992)

2 ° Brett Langer (USA)

Son of the owners of a prestigious chemical company DuPont, started his career (always unsuccessfully) in 1966 in the category Can-Am and continued it in Formula 2 from 1972 to 1974 and in America in the seventies.

The debut in F1 dates back to 1975 when Hesketh have to deal with two more talented teammates (Harald Ertl and, above all, James Hunt). In 1976 g. Sertiz continues not to convince (unlike colleague Alan Jones) and goes down in history as one of four (along with Guy Edwards, Arturo Merzario and Harald Ertl) rescuers Niki Lauda al Nurburgring.

In 1977, perhaps in order not to suffer from competition, he decides to race with one Marsh McLaren sponsored by Chesterfield with no teammates. Although this is the same car (world champion) that James Hunt drove a year earlier, Brett was unable to achieve significant results. In 1978, things go a little better, until a man joins him. Nelson Piquet... At the penultimate Grand Prix of the year, he switched to Ensign, but even so, he is below comrade Derek Daly.

Born November 14, 1945 in Wilmington (USA).

SEASONS: 4 (1975-1978)

SCADES: 5 (Hesketh, Surtez, March, McLaren, Warrant Officer)

PALM: 34 GP

BEST PLACE: 7th

3 ° Toranosuke Takagi (Djappone)

The son of a touring driver, he started his motorsport adventure with go-kart and then moved in 1992 to Toyota Formula and in 1993 in the Japanese championship in g. 3000 formula... In 1994 he joined the team of former Formula 1 driver Satoru Nakajima, and in 1997 got a job as a tester on the racetrack. Tyrell.

His circus debut dates back to 1998, again with a British team. Results lower than a teammate Ricardo Rosset and will not improve with next year's transition to Arrows... In this case, "Torah" has to fight Pedro de la Rosa.

In 2000, he redeems himself by winning the championship. Nippon formula with 8 wins in 10 races, while in 2001 he moved to America: two years in the championship Champ car and l 'IRL in 2003, when, thanks to the 5th place in Indianapolis 500 named Rookie of the Year. After a bad season in the States, he returned to Japan to race Formula Nippon in 2005.

Born February 12, 1974 in Shizuoka (Japan).

SEASONS: 2 (1998, 1999)

SCADES: 2 (Tyrrell, Arrows)

PALM: 32 GP

BEST PLACE: 7th

PALMARES EXTRA F1: Formula Nippon Champion (2000), Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year (2003)

4 ° Scott Speed ​​(USA)

The Yankee pilot began to be noticed in karting, having won several local competitions, and in 2001 he moved to the Formula category. After joining the Young Talent Program Find Red Bull riders plays multiple races in the british championship 3 formula 2003, but without much shine.

His best year is 2004 when he won two titles in Renault formula: European Championship (ahead of pilots of the caliber of Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean) and the title of champion of Germany. Exceptional results allowing him to take part in the championship. GP2 in 2005, which finished third behind Nico Rosberg and Heikki Kovalainen. In the last months of the year (embellished by his participation as a Red Bull tester), he also participates in the championship. A1GP for the USA national team.

Debut in F1 in 2006 with Toro Rosso, not the best: he does not score points (unlike his partner Vitantonio Liuzzi) and does not achieve this goal even in 2007. For this reason, in the middle of the season, he is replaced by someone Sebastian Vettel.

In 2008 he moved to America forever: runs in the championship. ARCA (who already saw him as a protagonist in some 2007 races) and in various competitions Nascar... In 2011, he tried unsuccessfully to qualify for Indianapolis 500.

Born January 24, 1983 in Manteka (USA).

SEASONS: 2 (2006, 2007)

TREES: 1 (Red Bull)

PALM: 28 GP

BEST PLACE: 9th

PALMARES EXTRA F1: European champion in Formula Renault 2000 (2004), German champion in Formula Renault 2000 (2004)

XNUMXth Enrique Bernoldi (Brazil)

After his usual karting lessons, he moved to Italy to compete in the Formula Alfa Boxer and in 1996 won the final round of the British championship. Renault formula... In 1997 he participated in the British TV series 3 formula touching the title next year.

In 1999 he joined Team Red Bull JuniorEnrique is so well acclaimed by the Austrian manufacturer (despite the fact that his performances are far from brilliant) that brand leaders cut back sponsorship to Sauber when the Swiss team decides to focus on Kimi Raikkonen instead.

F1 debut with Arrows not the happiest: teammate Jos Verstappen manages to bring the English car to the point, but he does not. The same situation is observed in 2002 with Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

After disappointments in the Circus in 2003, Enrique moved to the championship. Nissan World Seriesin which he also participated in 2004 (the year he was hired as a test pilot for BAR). In 2007, he traveled to South America, where he raced several races in the Argentina Touring Championship and the Brazilian Stock Car Championship.

In 2008, he will have a championship without much shine. IndyCar. 2009 is a very busy year: it takes place in Super League с Flemish, in the Brazilian Production Car Championship and the World Championship FIA GT... In the last series, it is so good (not in terms of results, but rather mediocre) that it continues in the GT1 series in 2010 and 2011.

Born October 19, 1978 in Curitiba (Brazil).

SEASONS: 2 (2001, 2002)

TREES: 1 (arrows)

PALM: 28 GP

BEST PLACE: 8th

PALMARES EXTRA F1: European champion in Formula Renault (1996)