There have been several Australian drivers that made it to F1 but didn’t receive competitive cars. David Brabham and Larry Perkins had difficult times and failed to score a point, yet they eventually achieved great things elsewhere.
Walker’s promising racing career was ended in 1972 by a dismal campaign with Lotus when team-mate Emerson Fittipaldi won the drivers’ title and Walker failed to score a point.
So, here’s our list of the top five Australian drivers who had a major influence on F1. Our rankings are based on their achievements in F1, which take into account the cars at their disposal.
Given the signs so far, if there is any motorsport justice, Oscar Piastri – a champion in F2, F3, and the Formula Renault Eurocup – will make his F1 debut in the not-too-distant future. Given what we’ve seen so far, the 21-year-old will be a tough contender for this list’s next version.
Mark Webber
Mark Webber was an Australian former racing driver. From 2002 to 2013, Webber drove in Formula One for Red Bull, winning the 2010 British Grand Prix. From 2014 to 2016, he raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Porsche with Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley. Mark Webber has been inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame in 2019.
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo is an Australian-Italian racing driver. He currently drives for McLaren in Formula One. Over the years, Ricciardo has won eight Grand Prix, including a victory at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix in Formula One. He’s been named BRDC The Bruce McLaren Trophy among other things. In 2014, he was recognized by GQ Australia as the Sportsman of the Year.
Jack Brabham
To date, Jack Brabham is most recognized for winning the Formula One World Championship three times during his illustrious 15-year career. He is credited with establishing the Jack Brabham Racing Team and automobile producer. During his early years, Brabham made significant contributions to the design of racing cars produced by the Cooper Car Company.
Alan Stanley Jones
Alan Stanley Jones is an Australian former professional motor racing driver best recognized for winning the inaugural Formula One World Championship in 1980 and only the second Australian to do so after three-time world champion Jack Brabham. In 1989, Alan Stanley Jones was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Jamie Whincup
Jamie Whincup is a professional Australian racing driver who is best recognized for his affiliation with the Supercars Championship. Whincup has won four times at Bathurst, making him the most successful driver in the event’s history. Jamie Whincup holds multiple Supercars records, including race victories and wins throughout his career. He has more than 120 career triumphs in the Supercars Championship to date.
