Liam Lawson recently fulfilled a lifelong ambition, making his Formula 1 debut at Zandvoort. Stepping in unexpectedly for the injured Daniel Ricciardo, Lawson seized the moment, earning another opportunity at Monza the following weekend. While his journey highlights the pinnacle of motorsport aspirations, it also casts a spotlight on countless other immensely talented drivers who, arguably, were equally deserving of an F1 shot but never received one. The path to Formula 1 is notoriously narrow, demanding not only exceptional skill but also impeccable timing, substantial financial backing, and often, a stroke of luck.
This article delves into the stories of some of these remarkable individuals – racers who achieved greatness in other series, demonstrated undeniable potential, or were tantalizingly close to realizing their F1 dreams. Our team at RaceFans has carefully curated a list of drivers whose careers serve as poignant reminders of the challenges and heartbreaks inherent in motorsport’s most exclusive club. Join us as we explore the careers of these overlooked talents, pondering what might have been had circumstances aligned differently for them.
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The Overlooked Red Bull Junior: Antonio Felix da Costa
When discussions turn to Formula 1’s missed opportunities, the name Antonio Felix da Costa frequently surfaces. A formidable talent, da Costa had the F1 “carrot” dangled before him for many years, diligently progressing through the highly competitive Red Bull Junior Team. By 2013, after an impressive stint, he was widely considered to be on the verge of securing a coveted race seat with Toro Rosso for the 2014 season. His junior career was punctuated by flashes of brilliance, showcasing a raw speed and race craft that made him a standout prospect.
In 2013, da Costa was in his second season in Formula Renault 3.5, a crucial stepping stone towards F1. He entered the year with high hopes of clinching the title, a feat that would almost certainly guarantee his promotion. However, fate had other plans. Despite his undeniable speed, he finished the season third in the standings, trailing behind future F1 drivers Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne. This result, while respectable, proved to be a critical setback in his F1 aspirations.
Da Costa’s 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 campaign had been particularly eye-catching. In the latter half of that season, he consistently outshone championship contenders Jules Bianchi and Robin Frijns, demonstrating pace and consistency that hinted at his readiness for the top tier. It was widely anticipated that these performances would earn him Friday practice outings with Toro Rosso, building a direct pathway into Formula 1. Indeed, had a seat been available at the start of 2013, da Costa would have undoubtedly been first in line, having proven himself as the Red Bull Junior Team’s leading light.
However, his F1 dreams were dramatically cut short even before the 2013 season concluded. In October 2013, he received a fateful phone call from Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko. Da Costa later recalled the crushing disappointment, admitting he “cried like a baby” upon being informed that Red Bull had decided against promoting him for the following season. Instead, the team opted for GP3 champion Daniil Kvyat, a decision that altered the trajectory of da Costa’s career forever. Post-Red Bull, da Costa successfully transitioned to Formula E, where he has since become a champion, cementing his reputation as a world-class driver. His story remains a classic example of a driver with immense talent who, through a combination of timing and circumstances, never quite found the right alignment for an F1 seat.
Claire Cottingham
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The Japanese Ace: Naoki Yamamoto
In a sport increasingly dominated by youth, it’s worth noting that three current Formula 1 drivers are older than Naoki Yamamoto, a man who has been a dominant force in Japanese single-seater racing since 2010. Yamamoto’s career statistics speak volumes: nine wins, ten additional podium finishes, 13 pole positions, and an impressive three titles in Japan’s notoriously competitive Super Formula series. For context, Liam Lawson, a driver currently on the F1 grid, is also competing in Super Formula this year, underscoring the high level of talent in the championship. Only three drivers in the history of Super Formula have claimed more titles than Yamamoto, firmly establishing him as one of Japan’s motorsport legends.
His most recent championship came in 2020, sealed in a thrilling, wheel-to-wheel final race battle against rivals Nick Cassidy and Ryo Hirakawa. This victory felt, in many ways, like a powerful response to being overlooked for an AlphaTauri F1 seat in the preceding years. Yamamoto’s deep-rooted connections with Honda, a prominent engine supplier in F1 at the time, naturally brought him into the team’s orbit in 2019. This culminated in a significant opportunity: a practice session drive at the Japanese Grand Prix.
During this session, Yamamoto delivered an incredibly impressive performance, lapping just 0.098 seconds slower than the team’s regular driver, Daniil Kvyat. This minuscule margin, on a track he knew intimately, showcased his immediate adaptability and raw pace in an F1 car. Rumours even circulated that he might be considered for more than just a practice role that weekend, highlighting the serious consideration he was receiving. Red Bull’s driver development supremo, Dr. Helmut Marko, was known to attend Super Formula races, closely monitoring Yamamoto’s strong results, his invaluable association with Honda, and a certain mental fortitude that Marko perceived as lacking in some of Red Bull’s younger talents.
While Red Bull weighed the possibility of integrating Yamamoto into their long-term F1 plans, Yamamoto himself faced a crucial decision: whether to uproot his established career in Japan and commit entirely to the F1 dream. His driving style possessed qualities perfectly suited for F1: a profound understanding of how to extract maximum performance from tyres right from the outset, making him a potent qualifier, and an exceptional ability to conserve tyre life during races, which granted him greater strategic flexibility than his competitors. These two skills are absolutely vital for success in modern Formula 1.
Although Red Bull ultimately moved on from Yamamoto, and his Super Formula form has seen a slight dip in recent years as he increasingly focuses on his successful parallel sports car programme in Super GT (where he is a two-time champion), his fundamental talent remains undeniable. With his vast experience and remarkable mechanical sympathy, Yamamoto possesses the ideal attributes to be a “super sub” – a driver capable of stepping into an F1 car at the last minute and performing competently, even if all tracks outside of Japan would be new territory for him. His story stands as a testament to the depth of talent outside F1’s direct view.
Ida Wood
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The Evergreen IndyCar Stars: A Trio of Kiwis
As one reflects on drivers who, much like Liam Lawson, have undeniably earned a shot at Formula 1, it’s striking how many of them hail from New Zealand. Furthermore, a significant number of these talents have found their competitive homes, and immense success, in the North American motorsport landscape, particularly in IndyCar. This phenomenon suggests a rich vein of racing talent from the Southern Hemisphere, often thriving beyond the traditional European F1 feeder system.
Consider Marcus Armstrong, a young talent who first captured attention with a top-five qualifying performance on his Formula Renault Eurocup debut at the 2016 season finale. His junior career was marked by consistent success: an Italian Formula 4 championship, and runner-up finishes in both his home country’s Toyota Racing Series and the FIA Formula 3 championship. However, fortune seemed to turn against him when he progressed to Formula 2. Despite securing four race victories over three seasons in the fiercely competitive series, he never finished higher than 13th in the overall standings, a result that belied his true potential and unfortunately stalled his F1 progression.
Having been shrewdly snapped up by Chip Ganassi Racing, one of IndyCar’s premier teams, Armstrong is now on a promising trajectory to claim the highly coveted IndyCar Rookie of the Year honours, a testament to his adaptability and speed, especially impressive given he opted to skip this season’s five oval races. While a bright future undoubtedly awaits him in IndyCar, it now seems his F1 window has likely closed, making him another example of supreme talent finding a different, yet highly successful, path.
Among Armstrong’s formidable rivals in the IndyCar series is fellow New Zealander Scott McLaughlin. McLaughlin’s journey to single-seater racing was unconventional, transitioning from a highly successful career in Australian Supercars, where he secured three consecutive titles. Yet, he has adapted seamlessly to IndyCar, appearing equally at home and competitive on road courses, street circuits, and the unique challenges of oval racing. His consistent performance has seen him on course to finish within the championship’s top five for the second year in a row, proving his versatility and elite driving capabilities.
The remarkable adaptability of McLaughlin prompts speculation about another former Supercars rival, Shane van Gisbergen. Van Gisbergen recently astonished the NASCAR establishment by securing a victory on his debut race on the streets of Chicago, showcasing an innate ability to master diverse motorsport disciplines. One cannot help but wonder how readily he, too, might adapt to the demands of Formula 1, given his proven prowess across various racing forms.
However, it is a fourth New Zealander, Scott Dixon, who stands out as arguably the most deserving and intriguing candidate for a hypothetical Formula 1 opportunity. Dixon recently demonstrated his enduring class by winning back-to-back IndyCar races, triumphing on both a challenging road course and a high-speed oval. This remarkable achievement extended his incredible streak of securing at least one victory in each of the last 19 seasons – a testament to his unparalleled consistency and longevity. His very first victory at single-seater motorsport’s top level dates back to 2001, highlighting a career spanning over two decades at the sharp end of elite competition.
The continued success of 42-year-old Fernando Alonso in Formula 1 serves as a compelling argument that Dixon, at 43, is far from ready to be written off. With an incredible six IndyCar titles under his belt, complemented by an Indianapolis 500 victory, Scott Dixon is undoubtedly one of the most successful and decorated single-seater drivers of recent decades never to have competed in Formula 1. His career epitomizes sustained excellence and adaptability, making him a prime example of the incredible talent that exists just outside F1’s exclusive grasp.
Keith Collantine
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The Reigning F2 Champion – and a NASCAR Master
In an ideal world, one where the FIA’s superlicence system wasn’t quite as restrictive, allowing teams the freedom to pick from any driving talent globally, there would be few more fascinating candidates for a one-off Grand Prix cameo than NASCAR’s Kyle Busch. Drawing parallels to Andre Lotterer’s intriguing F1 appearance, Busch represents a unique blend of raw talent and extensive racing experience, albeit in a vastly different discipline.
At the same age as Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton, the younger Busch brother has established himself as an unrivalled winning machine across all three of NASCAR’s main series for over two decades. His tally of well over 200 race victories underscores his dominance in what is arguably one of the most competitive and physically demanding forms of motorsport in the world. To borrow a phrase from combat sports, “Rowdy” Kyle Busch could easily be considered among the best “pound-for-pound” racing drivers of the 21st century, capable of extracting maximum performance from any machinery on any track. His adaptability and aggressive yet calculated approach make him a tantalizing “what if” for the F1 grid.
However, the reality of Formula 1 and its stringent superlicence requirements means that such captivating possibilities often remain theoretical. We live in a world where a driver’s progression is meticulously charted and regulated, often leaving little room for unconventional paths or one-off experiments with outside talents.
Instead, when focusing on young drivers within the established feeder system who are unequivocally deserving of an F1 opportunity to prove themselves against the elite, one name stands out prominently: Felipe Drugovich. The very purpose, the “raison d’etre,” of the Formula 2 championship is to serve as the ultimate proving ground, the final stepping stone before graduating to Formula 1. Indeed, a remarkable eight of the last nine champions in F1’s primary feeder series have successfully made the leap to race at motorsport’s highest level. The singular exception, the one driver who has yet to secure a full-time F1 seat despite his undeniable triumph, is the 2022 F2 champion, Felipe Drugovich.
Drugovich’s dominant championship victory rightfully earned him the distinction of becoming the inaugural member of Aston Martin’s F1 driver development programme. The team has made it clear that they intend for him to be their sole focus for the foreseeable future, recognizing his talent and potential. As such, Drugovich has been a constant presence in the paddock this season, serving as Aston Martin’s reserve driver and gaining invaluable insight from within an F1 team environment. While this is a significant role, he undoubtedly deserves more than to simply observe from the briefing room, listening to Lance Stroll analyze why he couldn’t match the performance of his highly acclaimed teammate, Fernando Alonso.
Felipe Drugovich is a reigning champion, a driver who has more than earned his rightful opportunity to race in Formula 1, even if it were for just a single Grand Prix. His situation highlights the intense competition and limited opportunities at the pinnacle of motorsport, even for those who have clearly demonstrated their championship-winning capabilities in the feeder series.
Will Wood
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Over to you
The stories of these drivers underscore the fierce competition and occasional heartbreak inherent in Formula 1. While Liam Lawson’s debut offers hope, it also reminds us of the many equally talented individuals who, through various circumstances, never got their moment in the F1 spotlight. Which drivers who never previously raced in Formula 1 do you believe were most deserving of a place in the series? Share your thoughts and tell us who you would have loved to see on the grid below.
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