F1 Champions to have only won races in their title season
Discussion
Was having a debate the other day and were wondering if there has ever been a F1 World Champion who has only won an F1 race in the year they won the championship? My first thought was Jacques Villeneuve but then remembered, obviously, that he won in his debut season.
In my head I went back to mid 80's but can't think of any. If Button had not won at Honda in 2006 and never joined McLaren when they were good then it's possible he may have only won in his championship year.
In my head I went back to mid 80's but can't think of any. If Button had not won at Honda in 2006 and never joined McLaren when they were good then it's possible he may have only won in his championship year.
My first thought was Jochen Rindt but he won the US GP the year before his 1970 posthumous WDC and potentially could won more races regardless of whether the car was WDC level or not.
I think it goes to show that regardless of how titles won or or to where a driver is placed on the greatness spectrum you have to be a high calibre driver. It's for this reason it's difficult to see Lance Stroll become WDC even with help from Newey.
I think it goes to show that regardless of how titles won or or to where a driver is placed on the greatness spectrum you have to be a high calibre driver. It's for this reason it's difficult to see Lance Stroll become WDC even with help from Newey.
Maybe going as far back as Farina? Did Ascari win races in the years he was not the winner, he dominated his title years?
I cant recall if Surtees won races in other years, I dont go back that far. Possibly Phill Hill too?
In recent times I think every champion has won races in years other than when they won titles, even guys with few wins like Jody, Keke, James Hunt, Mario etc.
Good question though and it warrants more investigation
I cant recall if Surtees won races in other years, I dont go back that far. Possibly Phill Hill too?
In recent times I think every champion has won races in years other than when they won titles, even guys with few wins like Jody, Keke, James Hunt, Mario etc.
Good question though and it warrants more investigation
I don't believe that there has ever been an F1 Champion that only won races in the year(s) they won the championship.
There are a handful of drivers who won their first Grand Prix (excluding non-championship races) in the year they won the championship and won again in subsequent years without taking the title.
Farina in 1950. He won again in 1951 and 1953.
Hulme in 1967. He won again in 1968 and 1969.
Rosberg Sr in 1982. He won again in 1983, 1984 and 1985.
There are a handful of drivers who won their first Grand Prix (excluding non-championship races) in the year they won the championship and won again in subsequent years without taking the title.
Farina in 1950. He won again in 1951 and 1953.
Hulme in 1967. He won again in 1968 and 1969.
Rosberg Sr in 1982. He won again in 1983, 1984 and 1985.
Nobody has ever done this. Every champion so far has won races in other seasons.
Jack Brabham would have achieved it if he'd retired after his third title, as he only won WC races in his championship-winning years up to that point, although he won non-championship F1 races in other years.
Jack Brabham would have achieved it if he'd retired after his third title, as he only won WC races in his championship-winning years up to that point, although he won non-championship F1 races in other years.
bergclimber34 said:
More of this though, beats the endless dullard season debate stuff now.
I think Keke is the only guy to win one or no races in a title year?
He won one race that year, and it was his first F1 win at that.I think Keke is the only guy to win one or no races in a title year?
Other drivers who only won their first race in their first championship-winning year - Farina (by default, as the first champion), Jack Brabham, and Graham Hill.
bergclimber34 said:
More of this though, beats the endless dullard season debate stuff now.
I think Keke is the only guy to win one or no races in a title year?
At the time it looked like he could clinch the title with no wins, which had a few people saying that was a ridiculous situation, bu he did finally get a win. I think Keke is the only guy to win one or no races in a title year?
Mike Hawthorn only won 1 race in 1958, though he did have a couple of previous wins.
CanAm said:
bergclimber34 said:
More of this though, beats the endless dullard season debate stuff now.
I think Keke is the only guy to win one or no races in a title year?
At the time it looked like he could clinch the title with no wins, which had a few people saying that was a ridiculous situation, bu he did finally get a win. I think Keke is the only guy to win one or no races in a title year?
Mike Hawthorn only won 1 race in 1958, though he did have a couple of previous wins.
thegreenhell said:
Nobody has ever done this. Every champion so far has won races in other seasons.
Jack Brabham would have achieved it if he'd retired after his third title, as he only won WC races in his championship-winning years up to that point, although he won non-championship F1 races in other years.
Cough cough, have a look at my first post. Chat gpt and a quick search to confirm gives the answer. It’s been done once. Jack Brabham would have achieved it if he'd retired after his third title, as he only won WC races in his championship-winning years up to that point, although he won non-championship F1 races in other years.
MB140 said:
Cough cough, have a look at my first post. Chat gpt and a quick search to confirm gives the answer. It’s been done once.
The problem is that Chat GPT is wrong more often than it's right. As someone else already said before your first post, Farina also won races in 1951 and 1953, so he doesn't qualify for this thread.To add more
Other than Moss, who would you give one world title to who deserved it, any era, but just one title and one driver
I have 3 candidates, emotionally Gilles, he would have got there on his own time.
Even though I don't agree with what he is doing, Massa in 08 would have been marvellous, a more deserving champ you could not find, and Ruben's for that matter.
And going back a bit, perhaps Peter Collins or Tony Brooks.
Ronnie?
Other than Moss, who would you give one world title to who deserved it, any era, but just one title and one driver
I have 3 candidates, emotionally Gilles, he would have got there on his own time.
Even though I don't agree with what he is doing, Massa in 08 would have been marvellous, a more deserving champ you could not find, and Ruben's for that matter.
And going back a bit, perhaps Peter Collins or Tony Brooks.
Ronnie?
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
"F1 Champions"...not necessarily the driver but the team?
I give you Brawn GP, only won races in the year they won the title.
Most successful team ever, 100% championship success for every year they competed I give you Brawn GP, only won races in the year they won the title.
Has there ever been a drivers championship winner that didn’t win any races at all in their championship season? I feel I’ve heard that someone did it but maybe misremembering it as one of the guys that only won once?
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