Formula 1 is a sport of skill and precision, but it also requires a little bit of luck to truly be successful. In fact, many talented drivers have come close to achieving the ultimate prize, only to miss out due to circumstances beyond their control. Here are 10 F1 drivers who showcased championship-worthy talent, but sadly never managed to clinch a title.
Ronnie Peterson
Ronnie Peterson was one of the fastest drivers in the 1970s. Known for his daring overtakes, he was nicknamed “SuperSwede.” Tragically, Peterson was the runner-up in 1978, which was also the year he lost his life.
Carlos Reutemann
Carlos Reutemann had a great F1 career, as he came extremely close to a title in 1981, losing by just a single point to Nelson Piquet. Known for his fast pace, ultimately Reutemann’s bad luck kept him from reaching the pinnacle.
Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss is often considered one of the greatest drivers never to win a championship. In fact, Moss was the runner-up in the championship four times in the 1950s as he competed against legends like Juan Manuel Fangio.
David Coulthard
A reliable and very talented driver, David Coulthard was often overshadowed by his teammates and faced stiff competition from F1 legend Michael Schumacher. His consistent podium finishes reflect a career that could have yielded a title with a bit more good fortune.
Gilles Villeneuve
Despite not winning a title, Gilles Villeneuve is considered to be a great F1 driver and is an icon of the sport. Known for his wheel-to-wheel battles, Villeneuve’s untimely death in 1982 cut short a career that many believed would lead to multiple championships.
Felipe Massa
Felipe Massa came heartbreakingly close to winning the championship in 2008, only to lose it to Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the last race. Known for his consistency throughout his career, Massa was a formidable competitor at Ferrari.
Jean Alesi
Best known for his time at Ferrari, Jean Alesi often found himself in competitive cars that just couldn’t keep up with the dominant teams of the era. Simply put, he never had the machinery to fight consistently for the championship.
Read More: 20 Traits That Define the Worst Drivers — Are You One of Them?
Mark Webber
Mark Webber spent most of his career as an underdog, ultimately finding a competitive seat at Red Bull alongside Sebastian Vettel. While Webber was a great driver, he was often the second driver in a team that heavily favored world champion Vettel.
Read More: The 10 Best Cars for New Drivers in 2024
Rubens Barrichello
Unfortunately for Rubens Barrichello, he spent his prime years as Michael Schumacher’s teammate at Ferrari. So, despite having incredible skill, Barrichello was forced to play second fiddle to the eventual seven-time world champion.
Read More: The 10 Greatest Formula One Drivers of All Time
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo is considered to be one of the best F1 drivers to never have won a championship. However, he had the unfortunate luck of driving for Red Bull during the Mercedes dominance era. Known for being the “last of the late breakers,” Ricciardo managed to win eight times in his career despite never having a championship-contending car.
Read More: The 20 Most Stunning F1 Cars of All Time
