F1 Drivers That Failed At Ferrari – Global Sports Planet

Editorial credit: Ivan Garcia / Shutterstock.com

Ferrari is the most iconic and successful team in the history of Formula 1, and the only one to have raced in the category since the first season back in 1950. Ferrari is synonymous with F1 and has played a major role in shaping the category, scoring more victories, podiums, and titles than any other team, as well as establishing great legends of the sport.

Every kid loves Ferrari, and every driver wants to drive for the Prancing Horse and be successful with them, although belonging to the Italian team comes with great pressure and responsibility.

Despite having so many successes, Ferrari is also known for its failures, as it is impossible to be always on top for so many years. The Italian team has experienced great times, but also dark times of struggles without success, which has conditioned the results of its drivers.

Today we will look at some drivers who had the ability to win the title with Ferrari but, for one reason or another, were unable to succeed with the Italian team.

1. Fernando Alonso

Seasons at Ferrari: 5 (2010-2014)

Wins: 11

Podiums: 44

Pole Positions: 4

Best Championship Result: 2^nd in 2010, 2012 & 2013

Fernando Alonso signed for Ferrari in 2010, replacing Kimi Räikkönen, the last world champion of the Italian team in 2007. The 2005 and 2006 double world champion came within one point of winning the title in 2007 with McLaren, and after two uncompetitive seasons with Renault in 2008 and 2009, he decided to try his luck with the legendary Ferrari.

Although Felipe Massa had been at Ferrari since 2006 and almost won the championship in 2008, Alonso was from the beginning the first driver and team leader, as the Brazilian was never at his level. For 5 seasons, Alonso was in incredible form, but the car was never up to par.

The Spaniard never had even the second-best car on the grid, but always outperformed them, as there was not a single season he undelivered. The 2010 and 2012 seasons were the closest he came to winning the title. In both seasons, all the teams on the grid were very evenly matched, so there was a lot of competitiveness, and even though Ferrari was the third-best car, Alonso made it look like it was better.

The Spaniard reached both final rounds as a title contender, being beaten by Sebastian Vettel. In 2010 he was 4 points short of the title, while in 2012 he was 3 points short, in what was arguably his best season in F1. On the other hand, in 2011 and 2013 Red Bull was simply way ahead of the rest, so no other team could stand up to it.

In 2014 F1 introduced the new V6 turbo hybrid engines, which opened the possibility for Ferrari to become competitive again. However, the opposite happened, and the Italian team even worsened in performance, barely being able to fight for podiums, even though Alonso was still at an excellent level. After 5 years, the Spaniard lost faith in Ferrari and left.

2. Sebastian Vettel

Seasons at Ferrari: 6 (2015-2020)

Wins: 14

Podiums: 55

Pole Positions: 12

Best Championship Result: 2^nd in 2017 & 2018

Sebastian Vettel won 4 world championships between 2010 and 2013 with Red Bull, and after a bad season in 2014 with the arrival of hybrid engines, the German signed in 2015 for Ferrari, replacing Fernando Alonso. The German thus fulfilled his dream since childhood, imitating his hero Michael Schumacher.

Vettel positioned himself as the team\’s first driver, ahead of Kimi Räikkönen, who was never up to the task. There was a lot of expectation from the beginning, and the pressure was enormous. In 2015 and 2016, the German performed at a high level, taking wins and podiums, although Mercedes\’ dominance made it impossible for him to fight for championships.

The key years were 2017 and 2018, in which Ferrari was almost on par with Mercedes, and Vettel was fighting much of the seasons for the title. However, both years went from plus to minus, and both Vettel and Ferrari broke under pressure, failing to win the title.

In 2019, Ferrari fired Maurizio Arrivabene, the team principal, who was replaced by Mattia Binotto. Likewise, young Charles Leclerc replaced Räikkönen. With the new signings, the German was not able to maintain his dominant control in the team and was beaten in both 2019 and 2020 by Leclerc, so both Vettel himself and the team lost confidence in him.

In 2021, after 6 unsuccessful seasons at Ferrari, Vettel started his last stage in F1 with Aston Martin, where he is performing at a high level without the pressure of the Italian team.

3. Alain Prost

Seasons at Ferrari: 2 (1990-1991)

Wins: 5

Podiums: 14

Pole Positions: 0

Best Championship Result: 2^nd in 1990

After 6 seasons and 3 world championships with McLaren, Alain Prost left for Ferrari in 1990, due to the tense atmosphere in the team because of his great rivalry with his teammate Ayrton Senna. The Brazilian won the title in 1988, while the Frenchman in 1989, after a controversial accident between the two at the Japanese GP.

The 80s and 90s were one of the darkest times for the Italian team, as in twenty years the team only won 3 constructors\’ championships and no drivers\’ championship. Nevertheless, “The Professor” had a great season in 1990, outperforming his Ferrari, fighting with his eternal rival Ayrton Senna for the championship, and beating his teammate Nigel Mansell.

The Frenchman obtained 5 victories and 9 podiums, proving to be at an excellent level. However, history repeated itself, although with a different result, and Senna and Prost collided in the first corner of the Japanese GP, which made the Brazilian champion this time.

In 1991, however, Ferrari\’s performance worsened, falling behind McLaren and Williams, and the team did not win a single race that season. During that year, Prost was too honest and critical of Ferrari\’s problems, causing a split and fracture in the team, especially after the firing of the team principal. There was a lack of communication and leadership at Ferrari.

During the Japanese GP, Prost said the following words: “It was like a horrible truck to drive. No pleasure at all”. After that, he was fired from the team, and the Frenchman did not compete in 1992. However, “the Professor” returned in 1993 with Williams and won his fourth title, proving to be one of the greatest in history.

4. Felipe Massa

Seasons at Ferrari: 8 (2006-2013)

Wins: 11

Podiums: 36

Pole Positions: 15

Best Championship Result: 2^nd in 2008

After his good performance at Sauber, Felipe Massa signed for Ferrari in 2006, replacing Rubens Barrichello, and becoming the new teammate of the great Michael Schumacher. The Brazilian had a good season for his first with the team, finishing third behind the Kaiser.

In 2007 he also performed at a high level, fighting for the championship, although in the end, he finished fourth, while his teammate Kimi Räikkönen took the title. His great year was 2008, a season in which he came closer than anyone else in F1 history to win the title.

The Brazilian scored 6 wins and 8 podiums and crossed the finish line of the season finale in Brazil first, a result that was good enough for him to be champion, but his rival Lewis Hamilton overtook the position he needed in the last corner of the race, snatching the title from him under the astonished gaze of the Tifosi, who seconds before were celebrating the Brazilian\’s victory.

After this traumatic episode, Massa pulled himself together and tried to fight for the championship again, but 2009 was a turning point in his career. The Brazilian had an accident during the Hungarian GP that sidelined him for the rest of the year, and from then on, he was never the same again.

With the arrival of Alonso, the Brazilian consolidated his position as Ferrari\’s second driver, far behind the performance of the Spaniard, who forced his departure at the end of 2013 after four poor seasons.

5. Nigel Mansell

Seasons at Ferrari: 2 (1989-1990)

Wins: 3

Podiums: 11

Pole Positions: 3

Best Championship Result: 4^th in 1989

Nigel Mansell has the honor of being the last Ferrari driver to be personally elected by Enzo Ferrari before his death in August 1988. The Englishman joined Ferrari for the 1989 season, after 4 seasons at Williams in which he was runner-up twice.

1989 was from the outset a season of transition, as Ferrari introduced the electronically controlled semi-automatic transmission following the FIA\’s ban on turbo engines. Surprisingly, Mansell took victory on his debut with the Prancing Horse, in Brazil, the circuit least liked by the Englishman.

However, despite Mansell\’s relentless and effective driving, Ferrari had many gearbox and reliability problems that caused the Englishman to retire in more than half of the races, which made all his chances of fighting for the title vanish, even though the car was very fast.

In 1990, reliability problems continued and Mansell had 7 retirements. This was coupled with the addition to the team of Alain Prost, the reigning world champion, who became the team leader, gaining great influence at Ferrari. This forced the departure of Mansell from the Prancing Horse, who never accepted the role of second driver.

6. Gilles Villeneuve

Seasons at Ferrari: 6 (1977-1982)

Wins: 6

Podiums: 13

Pole Positions: 2

Best Championship Result: 2^nd in 1979

Although he never won a championship, as his cars were not up to the task, Gilles Villeneuve is one of those special drivers who marked a whole generation with his great talent. Villeneuve raced 3 races for McLaren in 1977 before joining Ferrari, where he drove for the rest of his career.

The Canadian had an obsession with victory and was very competitive, and from the beginning, he had a great relationship with Enzo Ferrari, who highly appreciated him. In 1978, Ferrari was not very competitive, and Gilles could only manage one victory and one podium.

In 1979 he was runner-up in the world championship and key for his teammate Jody Scheckter to win the drivers\’ championship and for Ferrari to win the constructors\’ championship. However, that was the only year in which Villeneuve had a competitive Ferrari. 1980, 1981, and 1982 were years of sacrifice for the team, who were testing the V6 turbo engine.

Scheckter left Ferrari in 1981, and Villeneuve became the team leader, although the Canadian was already faster in 1980. Despite the car he had, Villeneuve took 2 wins and 1 podium. Even if his stats don\’t do him justice, Villeneuve could take a car that probably wasn\’t the best and could do it as fast as anyone else.

Sadly, the Canadian died after an accident at the Belgian GP, so we didn\’t get to see his full potential in F1.

7. Jacky Ickx

Seasons at Ferrari: 5 (1968, 1970-72, 1973)

Wins: 6

Podiums: 16

Pole Positions: 11

Best Championship Result: 2^nd in 1970

Jacky Ickx is known for many things: he is the best Belgian driver of all time, and with 6 victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (among other prestigious races) he is also one of the best endurance drivers. However, despite his successes in other categories, things did not go so well in F1, not even with Ferrari.

The Belgian completed his first full season in F1 with the Prancing Horse, scoring his first victory and podiums. After being runner-up in 1969 with Brabham, Ickx returned to Ferrari in 1970. After the death of Jochen Rindt, the championship leader, with 4 races to go, Ickx was the only driver who could match him, but he failed to do so, finishing runner-up again, after the late Rindt.

After that season, Ferrari started as the favorite for 1971. The car was fast, but very unreliable, with Ickx having 5 consecutive retirements, while Jackie Stewart won one race after another, so in the end, the Belgian could only be fourth. In 1972 the same thing happened, Ferrari had a fast car, but had many retirements, coming fourth again.

In 1973, Ferrari was no longer competitive, so Ickx left the team mid-season. From then on, his F1 career was on the decline while he achieved success outside the category, where his cars were up to the task.

8. José Froilán González

Seasons at Ferrari: (1951, 1954)

Wins: 2

Podiums: 11

Pole Positions: 3

Best Championship Result: 2^nd in 1954

Despite not having won the title with Ferrari, José Froilán González is a special driver for the Italian team. The Argentinean achieved Ferrari\’s first victory in F1 on July 14, 1951, at the British GP held at Silverstone, after also achieving the team\’s first pole position the day before.

The Argentinian broke with the dominance of Alfa Romeo, which had won all the F1 races held until then. With his particular driving style, waving his arms and with part of his enormous physique leaning out of the sides of the car, Froilán established himself as one of the fastest drivers in the category, and was very much appreciated by Enzo Ferrari.

In 1951, Froilán finished third in the Championship, behind Juan Manuel Fangio and his teammate Alberto Ascari. After racing two seasons with Maserati, Froilán returned to Ferrari in 1954, the year in which he again won the British GP, and finished second in the championship, behind Fangio.

Froilán was very versatile, and in 1954 he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with a Ferrari 375 Plus. The Argentinean raced a couple of races with the Prancing Horse between 1955 and 1960, but without much success.

9. Wolfgang von Trips

Seasons at Ferrari: 5 (1956-58, 1960-61)

Wins: 2

Podiums: 6

Pole Positions: 1

Best Championship Result: 2^nd in 1961

Wolfgang von Trips raced almost his entire racing career with Ferrari, and although he achieved some podiums, he only dedicated himself completely to Formula 1 from 1960 onwards, as previously he only raced a few Grand Prix, so he was not a candidate to win the championship.

The German was characterized by erratic driving since his early years. In 1960 he finished seventh in the championship, scoring in 5 of the 9 races he took part in, in a season dominated by Cooper.

The great year of von Trips in Formula 1 was 1961, in which he achieved 2 victories and 2 second places. The German reached the penultimate round of the season, the Italian GP, leading the championship, and a third place would be enough for him to become world champion.

However, during the race, his Ferrari collided with Jim Clark\’s Lotus, and his car flew through the air and crashed into the barriers, killing von Trips on the spot and taking the lives of 14 spectators. Von Trips could have been the first German champion to win an F1 championship, which did not happen until 1994 with Michael Schumacher.

After his death, it was his teammate, Phil Hill, who won the 1961 championship.

10. Clay Regazzoni

Seasons at Ferrari: 6 (1970-72, 1974-76)

Wins: 4

Podiums: 23

Pole Positions: 4

Best Championship Result: 2^nd in 1974

Clay Regazzoni was one of the most beloved drivers by the Italian Tifosi during his years with Ferrari in the 70s. The Swiss made his debut with the Prancing Horse in F1, and already in his first season, he finished third in the championship, obtaining one victory and four podiums, which made him one of the great promises of the category.

After two years with uncompetitive Ferraris which he had to outperform, in 1973 he signed for BRM, but returned to Ferrari in 1974, in what was his best year in Formula 1. Regazzoni fought against Emerson Fittipaldi for the championship, being very close throughout the season, but the Brazilian won by only 3 points.

It was from 1975 that his teammate, Niki Lauda, began to be faster than Regazzoni, winning the title that season and being runner-up in 1976, a situation that forced the Swiss to leave Ferrari.

Regazzoni raced in Formula 1 until 1980, but only had one competitive season in the category again, in 1979, a year in which he scored one victory and four podiums.

11. Gerhard Berger

Seasons at Ferrari: 6 (1987-89, 1993-95)

Wins: 5

Podiums: 24

Pole Positions: 7

Best Championship Result: 3^rd in 1988 & 1994

Gerhard Berger competed in Formula 1 for 14 seasons, driving for some of the best teams of the time such as Benetton, Ferrari, and McLaren, although he never won the championship.

The Austrian raced a first stint with Ferrari between 1987 and 1989, establishing himself as one of the most consistent drivers on the grid with some victories and podiums, although the dominance of Williams and McLaren did not allow him to fight for the championships. In 1987 and 1988, Berger was far ahead of his teammate Michele Alboreto, being the clear leader of the team.

However, in 1989 Nigel Mansell signed for Ferrari, and took the leadership of the team, overtaking Berger, who left at the end of the year. The Austrian returned to race with Ferrari between 1993 and 1995 alongside Jean Alesi, with whom he was very close, beating him in 1994 and 1995.

Ferrari, which was undergoing a period of restructuring and many layoffs, could not fight for the titles during those years due to the dominance of Williams in 1993 and Benetton in 1994 and 1995, with Berger\’s best result being third in the 1994 championship.

The Austrian is the perfect example that, despite being a very fast driver who adapts very well to any car, if the team does not up to the task, it is almost impossible to succeed.

\"\" — Editorial credit: Hafiz Johari / Shutterstock.com

Conclusion

As we have seen, driving for Ferrari does not guarantee success in Formula 1. There are times when the car is not up to the driver\’s standards, so the driver can\’t do anything, while other times, the championship slips away by just a few points.

Ferrari\’s history is a story full of successes, but also of failures, which have shaped what is today the most legendary team in the history of Formula 1.