Best Brazilian F1 Drivers Who Made History

Few countries match Brazil’s pride in Formula 1 racing, home to some of the sport’s most legendary drivers. The Brazilian Grand Prix is often hailed as the most thrilling race on the circuit, while the sport’s overall popularity remains at an all-time high. But who are the best Brazilian F1 drivers that have left their mark on the history of the championship? Follow online gambling sites in Brazil for updated odds on Formula 1.

Ayrton Senna is an undeniable leader 

Senna’s journey in motorsport began with karting, ascending to open-wheel racing in 1981, and capturing the 1983 British Formula 3 Championship. He made his Formula 1 debut with Toleman in 1984, transitioning to Team Lotus in 1985, where he secured six race wins over three seasons. In 1988, he joined forces with Alain Prost at McLaren, and together, they dominated the season, winning all but one of the 16 races, with Senna taking his first World Championship. After Prost’s triumph in 1989, Senna took his second and third titles in 1990 and 1991.

The rise of the Williams-Renault alliance began in 1992, but Senna remained in McLaren, one of the current favorites at 1xBET. He finished the 1993 season as runner-up with five victories, leading to his move to Williams in 1994. During the 1994 San Marino GP, he crashed heavily in Tamburello and lost his life.

Senna’s six victories at the Monaco Grand Prix remain unmatched, securing his place as the sixth-most successful driver in Grand Prix wins and the most prolific winner for McLaren. His career, however, was not without controversy, notably during the intense Prost-Senna rivalry. The Japanese Grands Prix of 1989 and 1990, where collisions between the two decided the championship outcomes, are etched into the annals of Formula 1 history as some of the darkest chapters of unsportsmanlike behavior, especially the 1990 incident where Senna deliberately crashed into Prost.

Emerson Fittipaldi is among the best Brazilian F1 drivers

Emerging from Formula 2, Emerson Fittipaldi debuted with Team Lotus at the 1970 British Grand Prix. Tragically, after Jochen Rindt’s fatal accident at the 1970 Italian Grand Prix, Fittipaldi became Lotus’s lead driver by his fifth Grand Prix. He flourished with Lotus, clinching the World Drivers’ Championship in 1972 at just 25, becoming the youngest F1 world champion—a record he held for 33 years until Fernando Alonso took it down in 2005.

In 1974, he moved to McLaren, securing another championship and aiding in McLaren’s first Constructors’ Championship victory. His switch to his brother’s Fittipaldi Automotive team in 1976 was unexpected for McLaren, who was forced to replace him with James Hunt. The final years of his Formula 1 career were marked by less competitive Fittipaldi cars, though he managed two more podium finishes before retiring in 1980.

Post-Formula 1, Fittipaldi succeeded in the American CART series, winning the title in 1989 and the Indianapolis 500 twice, in 1989 and 1993. You can always bet on IndyCar at 1xBET Sportsbook.

Who hasn’t heard of Nelson Piquet?

Nelson Piquet is also considered one of the best Brazilian F1 drivers ever. He joined Brabham in 1979 and instantly showed the world his capabilities. The driver narrowly missed the championship title in 1980 but took it in 1981, thanks to Williams’s self-sabotage. Despite constant engine issues affecting his performance in 1982, he returned in 1983, securing his second world championship. The 1985 season saw him miss the tournament again, though he managed three wins despite McLaren’s dominance. A move to Williams in 1986 placed him as a strong contender, resulting in his third and final championship in 1987 after a fierce rivalry with teammate Nigel Mansell that strained their relationship.

Piquet’s career then took him to Lotus for the 1989 season, where his form dipped again. He found a resurgence with the Benetton team in 1991, winning three races before retiring from Formula 1 and setting the stage for Benetton’s newest signing, Michael Schumacher. 

Rubens Barrichello is here for his podium wins

During his F1 career, Rubens Barrichello clinched 11 Grand Prix victories and secured 68 podium finishes. Barrichello’s journey through Formula 1 saw him start with Jordan and Stewart before joining Ferrari in 2000. As Michael Schumacher’s teammate, he played a crucial role in the team’s success, finishing as the championship runner-up in 2002 and 2004 and third in 2001, contributing to five constructors’ titles.

After his Ferrari tenure, he moved to Honda in 2006. In 2009, driving for Brawn GP, he finished third in the Drivers’ Championship, supporting Jenson Button’s championship win and the team’s famous constructors’ title victory.

The following two years with Williams F1, Barrichello transitioned to the IndyCar Series in 2012 with KV Racing Technology. After a brief stint in IndyCar, he returned to Brazil in 2013 to compete in the Stock Car Series, where he triumphed, winning the championship in 2014 and again in 2022. Read about the best Austrian F1 drivers.

Best Brazilian F1 drivers: Felipe Massa

Massa’s Formula 1 debut came with Sauber in 2002, followed by a stint as a test driver for Ferrari in 2003. He returned to Sauber for the next two seasons before rejoining Ferrari, where he triumphed in two races in 2006, including his memorable home victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix, the first since Ayrton Senna. In 2007, Massa added three more wins to his record, finishing 4th in the Drivers’ Championship. The 2008 season saw him in a fierce title duel with Lewis Hamilton, ultimately finishing second despite six victories. The last laps of the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix have become historical.

Tragedy happened in Hungary in 2009 when a suspension spring from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn GP car struck him, causing injuries that ousted him for the remainder of the season. Returning in 2010, Massa briefly led the championship. Although his performance dipped in 2011 with no podium finishes, he remained a steady points scorer. He raced with Ferrari until 2013 before moving to Williams, replacing Pastor Maldonado and partnering with Valtteri Bottas from 2014.

Massa initially announced his retirement from F1 at the end of the 2016 season. However, Nico Rosberg’s sudden retirement promoted Valtteri Bottas to Mercedes, leaving a vacancy at Williams. Massa postponed his retirement to join rookie Lance Stroll for the 2017 season.  Finally, on November 4, 2017, Massa confirmed his retirement from Formula 1, closing a remarkable chapter in his racing career. You can still bet on him at online sportsbooks in Brazil, as he’s currently competing in the Stock Car Pro Series.

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