Several Formula 1 drivers are planning to start their careers with a clean slate after failing
Second-placed hero – that’s the title that Valtteri Bottas has rightly been given after the first 5 rounds of this season. He’s been in a constant battle for points with former team-mate Hamilton, dragging the team to fifth place in the team standings on his own. In 2021, the driver’s move to Alfa Romeo could have been the end of his career. But the Finnish driver didn’t give up and continued his career. Today let’s talk about 7 F1 drivers who managed to restart their careers after a few bad seasons.
Clay Regazzoni, Williams driver.
In F1 history, there was a most famous and memorable racing duo, consisting of two drivers: Nicky Lauda and Clay Regazzoni. It was first talked about in 1970. The Austrian was in charge, but in the 1974 season Clay enters the fray for the title. The first line of the individual title in the last race of the championship was shared with Emerson Fittipaldi. But, unfortunately, after his failure at Watkins Glen, the title went to the Brazilian.
Regazzoni spent two years with the Reds but after management decided to switch teams with Reutemann. He had to turn down a job offer from Brabem.
He then became an Ensign pilot, and a year later piloted Shadow.
Clay spent 2 years in last place teams and was at great risk of never making it to the podium. Luck smiled on him in 1979 and he was called to the team of Frank Williams. Thanks to Patrick Head’s efforts, a car has been developed that has been able to compete in races.
In Monaco, Regazzoni clinched his first podium spot in 3 years and 1.5 months later won his first F1 race with Williams. But the following season his luck ran out and he lost his place in the team standings to Reutemann. Back at Ensign he crashed on stage 4 at Long Beach, saying goodbye to his F1 career because of a back injury.
Riccardo Patrese “Wilms”
After several seasons at the Shadow and Arrows teams, Riccardo Patrese still managed to move to Brabham, which was the first team in his F-1 career. Under Ecclestone he would win the F1 podium. But despite his victories, Patrese decides to switch to Alfa Romeo and fails.
After the flop, he returns to Brabham and in 1987 Williams management offers him a place in the team. In the 1989 season, the Italian was on the podium 6 times, a year later finishing first for the first time in 7 years. The next 2 seasons were the best in Patrese’s career. In 1991, for the first time, he won twice in the same championship. In 1992, he takes part in Williams’ F-1 season. This is followed by the end of his career in Benetton.
Eddie Cheever driving for Arrows
The whole world followed the career of Cheever, who started with Tyrrell, then moved to Ligier and then to Renault. After some time in his career there was a transfer to the Italian team, where he finished in the top 6 once for 2 years.
He spent the 1986 season in the Sports Car World Championship, and that’s how his career would have ended if Arrows hadn’t offered him the chance to complete his Formula 1 career with dignity. Cheever would go on to have a decent 3-year run, struggling for points and also finishing in the bottom three a couple of times.
The 1989 season took him across the ocean to the CART championship.
Nick Heidfeld races for BMW
The car group has come to the rescue of Heidfeld’s career reboot. But let’s talk about it in more detail. After making his debut at Sauber, he was predicted a place at McLaren. But the leadership of the company gave preference to his partner, and Nick remained in its place.
The German’s career began to roll into the sunset. So in 2003 he suffered a failure in the team duel, after which he made the transition to the “Jordan”. But in fact, for a pilot who could replace the famous Hakkinen in the “McLaren” is not the best option. Already in the 2005 season he was offered a contract by the alliance Williams and BMW are experiencing staff shortages after they were abandoned Montoya and Ralf Schumacher, and failed to sign the contract with Button. Before the team’s line-up was announced Heidfeld would find out that Williams had prioritised his candidacy over Pazzioni.
In 2005, his race car secured a vital place in F-1 qualifying, with three consecutive top-three finishes in the final stretch. Towards the end of the 2005 season, Heidfeld was poached by BMW from Williams, and in the new season he raced for BMW Sauber.
It was the best time of Nick’s career.
Jenson Button driving for Brown
Arguably the only driver who hasn’t had to leave one company for another to reboot his own career. For about 7 years he was with the teams that were based at Barkley: BAR, Honda and Brown. His 9th F1 season started in 2008, but unfortunately he never won. In 2009, Button gets a chance to take off and drives one of the fastest cars at Brown. He scored 6 wins in a row in the first 7 rounds of the season. Button will spend the next three seasons with McLaren.
Felipe Massa is a Williams driver
Ferrari’s driver, or rather his career at the company is like a seesaw. At the start of his career he showed good results as co-driver. But as early as 2008, the Brazilian decided to go out on his own in the race for the title. This period brought drama to his racing career but also some of his best moments. Due to an injury he couldn’t compete in 2009. Nevertheless the following season was a better one for him, but after his title challenge in Germany was snatched his career took a turn for the worse. The 2011 season did not bring the long-awaited wins and dominance in the top ranks. Massa’s most successful career was with Williams, where in 2014 he finished in the top-three and passed Ferrari in terms of speed.
Valtteri Bottas of Alfa Romeo
His 10 wins have earned him a partnership with Mercedes, as well as his status as the best co-driver in Formula One. He is the most loyal driver in the history of the championship. Neither team could give him what he lacked, which led to him signing with Alfa Romeo in 2021 and becoming the team leader. Bottas is 8th in the individual rankings.
