The Rise of Canadian F1 Drivers in Formula 1
Since the first ever Grand Prix Turin race in 1946, Formula 1 has stolen the hearts of motorsports fans throughout the globe. Professional drivers representing their country have often boosted the popularity of the sport, and Canada is no exception.
Canada’s history in Formula 1
In total, there have been 15 Formula 1 drivers that have represented Canada, but only four of those men have scored points and evolved to become noteworthy competitors.
Perhaps the most notable of all was Gilles Villeneuve, who’s been rated as one of the greatest drivers of all time. Following a one-time appearance for McLaren, the Ferrari team swooped in to acquire his services, and he would remain with the team for his entire pro career.
It was in 1979 when Villeneuve achieved his most successful year after winning three Grand Prix and finishing second in the drivers’ championship.
Unfortunately, during his 68th F1 race at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix, Villeneuve’s car was launched into the air and was destroyed on impact. His passing would, however, not be in vain. Not only is he regarded as one of the best, and his circuit efforts would live on through his son Jacques, who followed in his father’s footsteps and even won the World Drivers’ Championship in 1997.
Jacques Villeneuve, the son of Giles, was just 11-years-old when his father passed away. He boasted a positive career in IndyCar, claiming titles at the 1995 Indianapolis 500 and the 1995 PPG Indy Car World Series before his eventual shift into Formula One under the Williams banner in 1996. Impressively, Jacques nearly won his debut race, but a late-race complication with his car’s oil forced him to allow his teammate the lead, and he took second place.
It was a bright beginning for Jacques, as his debut, year in Formula One delivered four Grand Prix successes and a second-place positioning in the drivers’ championship. However, it was 1997 when Canadian F1 was put on the map with seven GP wins, as Jacques claimed the title that had previously eluded his father.
George Eaton, Allen Berg, Al Pease, Bill Brack, and Eppie Wietzes represented Canada in Formula One competition. Still, Jacques Villeneuve remains the sole F1 champion from the Great White North. And his father, Gilles, still holds the significance of placing second in the World Driving Championship in 1979.
Canada’s future in Formula 1
Following his retirement in 2006, Canadian blood has been absent from the Formula One standings. That was until Lance Stroll began his F1 career with Williams and instantly put himself on the board with a podium finish at the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, placing in third.
Like most professional drivers, the Canadian got his start in motorsports through karting. Starting at age 10, he won multiple races and championships in Canada and North America while receiving rookie of the year in his 2008 debut in karting.
Stroll’s entry into Formula One is often undermined because of his father’s business presence within the sport. Lawrence Stroll (part-owner of Aston Martin F1 team). However, this shouldn’t outweigh the youngster’s success in driving before he arrived at the big stage.
Before his F1 tenure, Stroll had won:
- Italian F4 Championship (2014)
- Toyota Racing Series Championship (2015)
- FIA European Formula 3 Championship (2015)
Entering the Formula One division aged 18 was a remarkable feat. The Canadian would become the second-youngest driver to finish an F1 race on the podium and the youngest to do so in his rookie season.
Since the legalisation of sports betting in Canada, Stroll has been the one to watch at the bookmakers’. While he isn’t the most experienced, nor has he over-achieved since arriving in F1, the young and hungry attitude is wortStroll has been the one to watch betting on.
Should bettors find the right moment to back Stroll, podium finishes like what he achieved at the 2020 Turk Grand Prix would offer astronomical F1 odds by Tonybet Sportsbook.
As one of four Canadian drivers’ to ever earn championship points, it could only be a matter of time before the 23-year-old can position himself as a notable name in F1 and claim another bet-winning opportunity for Canadian bettors.
The latest Canadian F1 installment
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Nicholas Latifi is the latest instalment of Canadian-born drivers to reach Formula One.
Thirteen is a late age to begin your go-karting career. But that’s how old Latifi was when he started his journey in the world of motorsports. And eleven years later, he’s a fully-fledged F1 driver.
His ascension into the world’s most talent-rich motorsport was mainly thanks to his impressive Formula 2 season in 2019, winning the championship following a disappointing 2018 season. With that result, combined with Williams/Robert Kubica union fallout in 2019, Williams promoted their Canadian reserve into the full-time position in 2020.
Two years on, and the Williams’ team is on a steady rise, and with a new teammate in Alex Albon, Latifi can prove to the world his awe-inspiring F2 success wasn’t just a lucky year. Although he previously admitted this season did provide a problematic start.
“It was great to see Alex finish in P10 in the end, which I also kind of saw at the end, looking at the TV after the chequered flag and saw he was there,” Latifi told F1 reporters.
“So super happy for the team because it has been a tough start to the season.
“But on my side, there is still quite a bit to find; we were just struggling with the balance and the pace.
“I think if [Alex] can extract that performance out of it, there is no reason why I in the other car shouldn’t be able to.
The friendly and positive attitude of Latifi will inspire the up-and-coming Canadian-born youngsters involved in motorsports. Currently, two lone active Canadians are in Formula One (Latifi & Stroll). Still, I expect a surge in the sport’s popularity to provide many more professional drivers in the future.
