5 Greatest Formula 1 Drivers Without a Win

As a highly competitive sport, Formula 1 can be cruel towards very talented drivers and simply likable personalities. There are countless examples of F1 drivers who were loved by many or at least deserved a title, but never had it due to tough circumstances. In this article, we’ve included the five greatest Formula 1 drivers without a win.

Who are the Greatest Formula 1 Drivers Without a Win?

We have a pre-last Formula 1 race on the horizon, taking place in Las Vegas for the first time. Regardless of the race results, it’s clear that Max Verstappen has claimed his third title in advance. Congratulations to the old champion, and don’t forget to bet on the Las Vegas Grand Prix winner at online sportsbooks in the US.

Meanwhile, not all drivers in F1 history were as lucky as Verstappen. The car racing championship saw many superstars who did great but didn’t have luck on their side. Let’s recall some of the greatest Formula One drivers without a win.

Stirling Moss (Mercedes, Maserati, Cooper, Vauxhall, Lotus)

To people with decent knowledge of F1 history, Stirling Moss should be a name that everyone knows. He is probably the unluckiest driver out there, who has been runner-up in the standings four times and claimed bronze on three occasions. Moss won 16 out of 66 races that he started in Formula 1, making it an impressive 25% record. 

In total, Moss participated in 529 races in different motorsports and won 212 of them, yet he’s still one of the best Formula 1 drivers without a title. In 1962, he suffered an accident that put an end to his sporting career.

Ronnie Peterson (Matra, Tyrrell, Lotus)

Ronnie Peterson is a definite fans’ favorite and the most successful Swedish F1 driver to this day, as well as one of the greatest Formula One drivers without a win. He fought for championships with multiple generations of F1 participants, which include the likes of Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti, Jody Scheckter, Niki Lauda, etc. He came 2nd in the standings twice, in 1971 and 1978. Even his tragic death in the aftermath of the 1978 Italian Grand Prix did not affect his vice-champion title, although he received it posthumously.

Check out the list of the best innovations in Formula 1 history that saved many drivers’ lives on track. 

Gilles Villeneuve (McLaren, Ferrari)

People who were close with Enzo Ferrari always say that he loved Gilles Villeneuve as a son. The Canadian driver was a very quiet person out of a car, and absolutely unhinged when he rolled on a track. Some of his most famous antics include driving on three wheels, driving with a nose cone hanging on the front of the car, and an incredible battle for 2nd place with Rene Arnoux in 1979. 

1982 should have been the year when Gilles became an F1 champion. It all would go south when his Ferrari teammate Didier Pironi overtook him on the last lap at Imola. Two weeks later, determined to beat Pironi whatever it takes, Villeneuve would lose his life in Qualifying of Belgian GP. His son, Jacques, would become an F1 champion in 1997.

Rubens Barrichello (Jordan, Stewart, Ferrari, Honda, Brawn, Williams)

Just as with Peterson, Rubens Barrichello is a very much liked driver that no Formula 1 fan has anything bad to say about. In the 1990s, he drove in mid-pack teams such as Jordan and Stewart and still took poles and podium finishes. 

Barrichello was hired by Ferrari for the 2000 F1 season to assist Michael Schumacher to get the title. Schumacher would take five in a row, and Barrichello took two vice-champion titles in 2002 and 2004. It is very unlucky to be in your golden years only to realize that there is a generational talent that is impossible to beat. That happened to Barrichello, that is happening to Sergio Perez right now. However, the latter has pretty good odds to win the title next year, according to BC Game Sportsbook.

David Coulthard (Williams, McLaren, Red Bull)

David Coulthard is a similar case to Barrichello, although he arrived at McLaren in 1996 and was much more consistent than his teammate Mika Häkkinen. In 1998, Adrian Newey built a car that was faster than anyone else for a good second, and ever since the first race Hakkinen was just unreachable for Coulthard, making him one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers without a win. Who knows, maybe if David finished first in that race, he would have taken his crown. He would finish his best years in 3rd and 4th in the Standings of 1998 and 1999, as well as 2nd in 2001.

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