Mayra Madrigal
Formula 1 is the top category of motor racing and although most of its drivers are usually European, the teams have relied on Latin American talent more than once, and it was worth the risk. Of the Latino minority that has participated in F1, there are at least four drivers who became famous for their milestones and impressive talent behind the wheel.
The following are the best Latin F1 drivers of all time who have given their best in the top category of motorsport.
1.- Juan Manuel Fangio | Argentina
The Argentine legend, Juan Manuel Fangio, is one of the most famous drivers in history and is considered the father of Formula 1. In 1947, he started to compete in Formula 1 until 1958. During that time, he drove for Mercedes, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo. Fangio was champion on five occasions and obtained two runner-up finishes. In that period he participated in 52 races, recorded 24 victories, 35 podiums, 29 pole positions, and 23 fastest laps. Until 2003, he was the driver with the most F1 titles, but another icon of the top category of motorsports surpassed his record: Germany’s Michael Schumacher.
To date, he holds the record of being the oldest champion driver at 46 years and 41 days.
2-. 1.- Ayrton Senna | Brazil
The Brazilian driver, Ayrton Senna, looked set to follow in the footsteps of Juan Manuel Fangio as one of the best Latin American drivers in the history of Formula 1. In 1984, he started his career in F1, and he competed for Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, and Williams; but his best period was with McLaren, with whom he was world champion on three occasions (1988, 1990, and 1991).
He was one of the most dominant drivers in the late 80s and early 90s, maintaining a rivalry with the French Alain Prost during his career, even while they were teammates.
His records include 41 victories, 80 podiums and 65 pole positions. Senna died at the age of 34 at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix after a crash at the Tamburelli corner while driving for Williams.
3.- Nelson Piquet | Brazil
The Brazilian driver is considered one of the best Latin drivers in history for having triumphed in the 80s in Formula 1. He raced for the Brabham, Williams, Lotus, and Benetton teams. He was world champion in 1981, 1983, and 1987, while he was runner-up in 1980 and had two third place finishes in 1986 and 1990. His career in the highest category of motor racing is accompanied by 23 victories, 60 podiums and 24 pole positions. He retired from Formula 1 in 1991.
4.- Checo Pérez | Mexico
Mexican driver Sergio “Checo” Pérez is currently the top Latin American driver in Formula 1. His good performances and talent in GP2 took him to the top category and in a decade he has positioned himself as one of the best Formula 1 Latin drivers of all time. His first step in F1 was with Sauber in 2011, and then he was part of McLaren, Force India, and Racing Point. In the latter, he got his first victory in the Sakhir GP 2020, becoming the second Mexican to win an F1 Grand Prix (the first was Pedro Rodriguez).
In 2021, he signed with Red Bull Racing and enjoyed the best season of his career, doing a great job with his teammate and started to be known as the “Minister of Defense”, as he played a key role for Dutchman Max Varstappen finishing first and becoming World Champion. Pérez took his second F1 GP win in Azerbaijan at the Baku circuit. He finished fourth in the drivers’ standings, after scoring five podium finishes in a single season.
In total, he records 15 podiums in his F1 career, until the end of the 2021 season.
