Advertisment

5 times when back-of-the-grid F1 drivers surprised us with unexpected race wins

Many times, Formula 1 has seen unexpected drivers winning races. 4-time world champion Sebastian Vettel was also a back-end winner before winning at Red Bull.

author-image
Venkatakrishnan
New Update
Unexpected F1 wins /X

(Source: X)

Formula 1 is always full of surprises for both fans and drivers. Many races turned lucky for some drivers and became unlucky for others. There are also times when back-of-the-grid teams and riders get some luck to win races in Formula 1. 

The Unexpected race winners:

5.Pierre Gasly - Monza 2020

Pierre Gasly was demoted to Toro Rosso from Red Bull as his performance was very poor when compared with Max Verstappen. But the French man didn't give up he worked very hard to improve his race skills. During the 2020 Monza race, Charles Leclerc crashed hard into the Parabolica and Lewis Hamilton was given a penalty for entering the pits when they were closed.

This gave Pierre Galsy the chance to lead the race and he capitalized that perfectly. The race was the first since 2012 where no Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull were part of the podium. Gasly won the race for Toro Rosso (Alpha Tauri) holding off McLaren’s incoming Carlos Sainz and Racing Points Lance Stroll. 

4. Esteban Ocon - Hungary 2021

The 2021 Hungary GP was very controversial between Red Bull and Mercedes where Valtteri took out both the Red Bulls at the start of the race in the first corner due to late braking. During Restart Hamilton started with intermediate tyres and the rest of the grid started with slick tyres but after realising Hamilton pitted after 4 laps on intermediates. This put Ocon in the lead along with Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel. 

Vettel fought very hard but couldn't pass Ocon and finally, he was disqualified from the race due to low fuel levels which were not allowed. This put Hamilton and Carlos Sainz to clinch the podium alongside winner Esteban Ocon.

3.Pastor Maldonado - Barcelona 2012

‘The Maldonator’ known for many crashes won a race at the 2012 Spanish GP alongside Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen. At the start of the race, Alonso suffered turbulence in his car which allowed Maldonado to pass him and extended his lead by more than 3 seconds. Finally, Maldonado won the race for the very first time and also his last.

Also Read: Nation mourns Ratan Tata's demise: India's biggest Formula 1 fan who sponsored many teams including Ferrari

2. Sergio Perez - Bahrain 2020

Checo achieved his maiden Formula 1 win at Racing Point at the end of his tenure with the team. At the start of the race, Perez crashed with Leclerc and Verstappen forcing him to the pit stop. He was pushed to the last and Checo bravely passed every car before him and when Mercedes pitted he got the opportunity to lead the race, grabbed it and won the race.

1.Sebatsian Vettel - Monza 2008

Before giving the Red Bull team their first-ever Formula 1 victory Sebastian Vettel gave their Junior team Toro Rosso their first-ever win at Monza. He instantly became a superstar and was promoted to Red Bull after the season. 

The rain hit Monza was no trouble for Vettel as he was the fastest in that race. Vettel took the pole during qualifying and took the win from pole in the race and became the youngest-ever race winner in Formula 1 which Max Verstappen beat in 2016.

Also Read: Why F1 drivers don't do Donuts nowadays? Restrictions behind Donuts - Explained

Formula 1 Sebastian Vettel Sergio Perez F1 Monza
Advertisment