Max Verstappen is at the moment in his eleventh 12 months driving for Crimson Bull, and Lewis Hamilton spent 12 seasons at Mercedes. In fashionable Components 1, there’s a clear pattern towards longer contracts, with some drivers spending nearly their whole careers at a single group.
It’s, subsequently, hardly stunning that Charles Leclerc has now contested the second-most grands prix for Ferrari – trailing solely Michael Schumacher.
Nonetheless, there are additionally drivers on the different finish of the spectrum: those that haven’t devoted themselves to only one group, however have primarily knocked on nearly each door. For Sergio Perez, Cadillac is now his sixth group in Components 1.
On this rating, we take a look at the drivers of the fashionable period who’ve competed for essentially the most groups. For this record, “fashionable” is outlined as any driver who has entered no less than one race because the flip of the millennium – although any groups they raced for previous to 2000 nonetheless depend towards their whole.
However as at all times with F1 statistics, issues can get sophisticated – and nowhere is that this extra evident than with Jenson Button. The previous World Champion seems close to the highest of the record with seven totally different groups, but the Brit was solely ever based mostly at 4 totally different places.
Williams and McLaren are undisputed. Nonetheless, Button additionally skilled the transition from Benetton to Renault, which remained essentially the identical outfit. Equally, with BAR, Honda, and Brawn, he did not even have to maneuver home – though they formally depend as three totally different groups.
The case of Jos Verstappen can also be fascinating. He drove in eight Components 1 seasons for seven totally different groups – solely at Arrows did he keep longer than a single 12 months. Basically, the Dutchman was handed across the mid-field and backmarkers: he drove for Benetton, Simtek, Footwork, Tyrrell, and Stewart in his first 5 years alone.
In 1999, he didn’t discover a seat however nearly stepped right into a Jordan as a alternative for Damon Hill. Hill had already introduced his fast retirement from F1, solely to vary his thoughts at Silverstone and end the season.
Thus, Arrows grew to become Verstappen’s sixth group in 2000 – although one may argue it was technically a return, as Footwork had been a mere interlude within the Arrows group’s historical past. In 2003, he drove for Minardi, successfully finishing his “spherical journey” of the F1 again of the grid.
But, that is not sufficient for the highest spot – no less than, when you strictly observe the official group entries. To search out out who leads the pack, take a look at the next record.
Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F15
Picture by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Photographs
Variety of groups: 6
The Spaniard began his profession in 2001 with Minardi, received two titles with Renault, and fought for championships with Ferrari. His two stints at McLaren (2007 and 2015–2018) have been disappointing, very like his present season with Aston Martin. When you depend Alpine individually from Renault, his whole group tally reaches six.
Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez, Racing Level RP20
Picture by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Photographs
Variety of groups: 6
For Perez, Cadillac can also be his sixth cease throughout 5 places. He beforehand drove for Sauber and McLaren. earlier than spending seven years in Silverstone with Pressure India and Racing Level. After 4 years at Crimson Bull, his F1 profession appeared to have ended, however he has now made a comeback with the brand new Cadillac outfit.
Rubens Barrichello
Rubens Barrichello, BrawnGP
Picture by: XPB Photographs
Variety of groups: 6
When you’ve got a profession so long as Rubens Barrichello’s, you inevitably rack up a number of groups. He made the bounce to Ferrari by way of Jordan and Stewart, the place he completed as runner-up within the championship as Schumacher’s team-mate. He then moved to Honda, skilled a “second spring” at Brawn, and concluded his profession at Williams.
Jarno Trulli
Jarno Trulli celebrates victory
Picture by: Motorsport Photographs
Variety of groups: 6
Jarno Trulli reached his peak with Renault, profitable the 2004 Monaco Grand Prix. He initially made his debut in 1997 with Minardi earlier than shifting by Prost and Jordan to succeed in the French works group. Following his dismissal, he went to Toyota and spent his remaining two years from 2010 with the backmarker Lotus squad – his sixth group.
Nick Heidfeld
Nick Heidfeld
Picture by: Sauber Petronas
Variety of groups: 6
“Fast Nick” additionally raced for six outfits. All of it started in 2000 at Prost earlier than a three-year stint at Sauber. After one-year stops at Jordan and Williams, he returned to Hinwil – this time below the BMW-Sauber banner – earlier than ending his profession as Robert Kubica’s damage alternative at Lotus-Renault.
Jean Alesi
Jean Alesi
Picture by: Honda GP
Variety of groups: 6
Heidfeld’s first team-mate, Jean Alesi, was already racing within the ’80s, beginning with Tyrrell. 5 years at Ferrari adopted earlier than he famously swapped seats with Schumacher to affix Benetton. Stints at Sauber and Prost adopted, ending with 5 remaining races for Jordan in 2001. He rounds out the “six-club.”
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo, Renault F1 Staff R.S.19
Picture by: Alessio Morgese / Luca Rossini
Variety of groups: 7
It’s important to be fairly pedantic to get Daniel Ricciardo to seven groups by counting Toro Rosso, AlphaTauri, and Racing Bulls as separate entries. Apart from the Faenza-based squad, the “Honey Badger” from Perth additionally drove for HRT, Crimson Bull, Renault and McLaren.
Jenson Button
Jenson Button, McLaren Mercedes
Picture by: XPB Photographs
Variety of groups: 7
The statistics are much more deceptive for Button, the place BAR, Honda, and Brawn solely depend as three totally different groups on paper. Even in the course of the swap from Benetton to Renault, he did not have to maneuver to a brand new manufacturing facility. Mixed with Williams and McLaren, the previous champion primarily solely had 4 totally different employers.
Johnny Herbert
Johnny Herbert
Picture by: Jaguar
Variety of groups: 7
Johnny Herbert has just one debatable entry: the transition from Stewart to Jaguar for the 2000 season. In any other case, his record consists of really totally different groups, even when some stints have been transient. He drove just one race every for Tyrrell in 1989 and Ligier in 1994. Benetton, Lotus and Sauber additionally function on his CV.
Mika Salo
Mika Salo, Sauber
Picture by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Photographs
Variety of groups: 7
Mika Salo was the king of the short-term gig. In 1999, he stuffed in for 2 totally different groups: first BAR, then Ferrari as a alternative for the injured Schumacher. He additionally managed solely two races for Lotus in 1994. The Finn did full full seasons at Tyrrell, Arrows, Sauber and Toyota, although – apart from Tyrrell – he solely ever stayed for one 12 months.
Giancarlo Fisichella
Giancarlo Fisichella, Minardi Staff waves to the group
Picture by: Motorsport Photographs
Variety of groups: 7
Giancarlo Fisichella additionally raced with seven groups: Minardi, Jordan, Benetton, Jordan (once more), Sauber, after which Renault, the place he was Alonso’s team-mate. Final success eluded him, resulting in a interval at Pressure India earlier than a sensational second place in Belgium earned him the call-up to Ferrari.
Jos Verstappen
Jos Verstappen, Stewart Ford and Jackie Stewart
Picture by: Sutton Photographs
Variety of groups: 7
Verstappen was a mid-field journeyman who drove virtually in every single place: Benetton, Simtek, Footwork, Tyrrell, Stewart, Arrows, and Minardi. In simply eight years, he drove for seven totally different groups; solely at Arrows did he final a couple of season. In 1999, he was additionally set to interchange Damon Hill at Jordan, however the transfer by no means materialised.
Nico Hulkenberg
Nico Hulkenberg, Racing Level
Picture by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Photographs
Variety of groups: 8
First place goes to Nico Hulkenberg, who has competed for eight groups – although Pressure India, Racing Level, and Aston Martin are technically the identical organisation. Apart from the Silverstone squad, the German has additionally pushed for Williams, Sauber (twice), Renault, Haas and now Audi.
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