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Most impressive first victory by a driver


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#1 encircled

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 10:47

Mark Webber's first victory in Nürburgring was impressive to me. Even with a drive-through penalty, he was on fire that day, just pure dominance, and the emotions of finally having a victory after so long makes it very sweet as well.

What's the most impressive first victory by a driver in your opinion?

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#2 olliek88

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 10:53

Rosberg's was pretty impressive, on pole by half a second and then drove away from the field at the same rate in the first stint before controlling his pace and making the unfavoured 2 stopper work.

#3 Wander

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 10:59

I think Keke's first was more impressive.

#4 encircled

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 11:07

Would be good if you can elaborate on that further (I only started watching F1 around 1998) so it would be interesting to me.

#5 eronrules

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 11:10

i'd say kubica's first victory was good.

#6 jrg19

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 11:14

Vettel Monza 2008, full wet race beating the faster McLaren of Heikki by 10 seconds and becoming youngest driver to win a race.

Lewis Canada 2007, multiple safety car race but kept it calm in his rookie season.

#7 NotSoSilentBob

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 11:15

If anyone says Vettel's they're having themselves on.

#8 encircled

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 11:15

I don't know about Kubica's first victory since Lewis and Kimi were both taken out in that infamous pit lane incident and Nick Heidfeld moved over due to a different strategy although to be fair, Kubica made his strategy work to give BMW's first F1 win and was pretty dominant after Lewis and Kimi were out of the race.

Edited by encircled, 08 December 2012 - 11:17.


#9 eronrules

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 11:18

however, for me , the best one is kimi's first win at malaysian GP 2003 because of the chaos, and in a way it was similar to Abu dhabi as DC retired from lead.

here's the ITV race highlight ... enjoy :wave:



#10 bourbon

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 11:20

Sebastian Vettel's at Monza was pretty amazing. Unexpected, in the conditions and the STRF which got the crowd pretty juked. Plus they played the Italian Anthem, which was hilariously wrong, but perfect as it drew on Schumy/Ferrari days to hear those songs back to back. I was home that weekend - I remember Seb was all curbs in that race, but he kept his head and when he won, our house woke up the neighborhood.

Kimi in 2003 coming through for the win was also impressive - being a huge fan and young, I was impatient for that one. The interview is still one of my favs. It is funny because I don't really dig that track as it can give insane races, but also no race at all - i.e., greatly curtailed. But that memory highlights it as a special track for me.

Another impressive win was Hamilton in Canada. He came storming in F1 and just amazed - so I was looking for a win and he produced it. That was awesome. And he kept on producing too, which was friggen insane. I was rooting for Kimi of course, but how could you not admire Hamilton conquering F1 as he did.

#11 Baddoer

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 11:21

Spa 1992
Monaco 1996
Hungary 2003
Monaco 2004
Germany 2009
Spain 2012

#12 encircled

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 11:25

however, for me , the best one is kimi's first win at malaysian GP 2003 because of the chaos, and in a way it was similar to Abu dhabi as DC retired from lead.

here's the ITV race highlight ... enjoy :wave:

Yes, that was pretty impressive too how can I forget about that one.

#13 Spillage

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 12:27

Most impressive in recent years IMO is Vettel's at Monza. If we're talking all time though, it'd be more difficult - perhaps Senna's at Estoril? I think I'd have to go for JP Beltoise's first (and only, as it turned out) victory, at Monaco in the rain; he beat Ickx by nearly 40 seconds, with nobody else even on the same lap!

#14 Anderis

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 12:30

It's hard for me to chose the most impressive.

Most of the time, when driver wins his first F1 race, it looks quite impressive.

#15 aditya-now

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 12:40

What's the most impressive first victory by a driver in your opinion?


Didier Pironi's first GP victory in Zolder, Belgium in 1980. Winning with a margin of 47 seconds over the mighty Williams´of Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann who went on to win the WDC/WCC.


#16 montoyasminion

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 12:46

2000 German Grand Prix

#17 mnmracer

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 12:51

If anyone says Vettel's they're having themselves on.

4 years and still sour grapes... :kiss:

#18 crooky369

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 12:53

Just looking back through the record books from the ones I know about:

Vettel Italian Grand Prix 2008
Barrichello German Grand Prix 2000
Hunt Dutch Grand Prix 1975

All brilliant but also entertaining!


#19 BlackCat

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 12:55

Gethin and Beltoise were very impressively surprising for me. from recent days Trulli - i like the guy, but also for the comical effect of the crash behind safety car.

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#20 LiJu914

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 12:56

What's the most impressive first victory by a driver in your opinion?


I think, lapping the whole field bar one other driver in torrential rain, is quite good.

#21 BillBald

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 12:59

Mark Webber's first victory in Nürburgring was impressive to me. Even with a drive-through penalty, he was on fire that day, just pure dominance, and the emotions of finally having a victory after so long makes it very sweet as well.

What's the most impressive first victory by a driver in your opinion?


Actually Mark was extremely lucky that day.

At the start of the race, he punctured Lewis' tyre without damaging his own wing.

All other serious runners were stuck behind Kovalainen in the first stint. Kovy made a very good start with the aid of KERS, got into 3rd place and drove very slowly and defensively (again using KERS) to hold up Jenson, Massa and Vettel, among others. That more than accounted for the drive-through.

The only driver who could and should have challenged Mark was Rubens, who seems to have had a really bad day. That was partly due to the Brawn tyre-warming issues, but mainly because he failed to grasp the opportunity which had dropped in his lap. Famously Rubens went on a rant against the team, which was made into a video, but really he only had himself to blame, he was very slow.





#22 Disgrace

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 13:05

The only driver who could and should have challenged Mark was Rubens, who seems to have had a really bad day. That was partly due to the Brawn tyre-warming issues, but mainly because he failed to grasp the opportunity which had dropped in his lap. Famously Rubens went on a rant against the team, which was made into a video, but really he only had himself to blame, he was very slow.


You've blatantly made all that up other than the rant. He had the same problem as the rest as his two-stop meant he got held up by Massa for half the race on a one-stop which allowed Webber his free drive-thru. That is why he was (rightfully) pissed at his team, but for unfortunate wording.

Edited by Disgrace, 08 December 2012 - 13:06.


#23 Ragingjamaican

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 13:07

2000 German Grand Prix


I would have to agree with that.

Not a fan of Barrichello, but supporting Ferrari in those days as a die hard fan, I remember that win well, even though I was only a little kid.

With Schumacher out of the race, all the focus was on Barrichello from everyone, and I think he started from 18th, somewhere near the back of the field, and started hounding both McLaren's, and who could forget Murray Walker going crazy, "The Flying Ferrari!".

From my time of watching F1 anyway, this one springs to my mind. Had that little extra compared to the rest.

Edited by Ragingjamaican, 08 December 2012 - 13:17.


#24 AlexS

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 13:15

Yeah Barrichello in Germany 2000 was amazing. Btw part of it is in YouTube

Edited by AlexS, 08 December 2012 - 13:29.


#25 scheivlak

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 13:33

Most impressive in recent years IMO is Vettel's at Monza. If we're talking all time though, it'd be more difficult - perhaps Senna's at Estoril? I think I'd have to go for JP Beltoise's first (and only, as it turned out) victory, at Monaco in the rain; he beat Ickx by nearly 40 seconds, with nobody else even on the same lap!

Excellent choices!

Plus of course Hunt's win at Zandvoort - and Jim Clark's win at Spa in 1962 from the middle of the grid.

#26 KavB

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 13:38

In recent years I'd say Vettel's. His pole and win was totally out of the blue, was with a team who you would least expect to win and was one of the only times I can recall nearly everyone rooting for the underdog (Hard to imagine he was called that at the time!).

I would have to go with Barrichello though. Winning your first race from the back. How often does that happen?

#27 BillBald

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 13:41

You've blatantly made all that up other than the rant. He had the same problem as the rest as his two-stop meant he got held up by Massa for half the race on a one-stop which allowed Webber his free drive-thru. That is why he was (rightfully) pissed at his team, but for unfortunate wording.


OK, I'd forgotten that he was held up by Massa, but ISTR that was because he hadn't gone fast enough (on low fuel and without a slow McLaren in front of him) to be ahead of Massa after his first pitstop. The reason why he was annoyed at the team was because he had a slow 2nd pitstop and they didn't fuel him to the end as he'd suggested, but since the tyres were graining on the Brawn that was not really an option. Edit: actually maybe Brawn should have tried it, but the main problem was Rubens' pace, and a full tank of fuel wouldn't have helped much.

I think both Brawns 3-stopped in that race, but I'm going purely by memory so I could be wrong.

Edited by BillBald, 08 December 2012 - 13:45.


#28 Kyo

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 14:08

I think Keke's first was more impressive.

The most impressive thing about Keke is how he managed to become WDC having only 1 win in his career at that point.

I have a hard time choosing between Senna's and Barrichello's. Having your first victory showing total dominance being more than a minute ahead of everyone else or winning starting from 18th position are impressive achievements.

#29 Wander

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 14:28

The most impressive thing about Keke is how he managed to become WDC having only 1 win in his career at that point.

I have a hard time choosing between Senna's and Barrichello's. Having your first victory showing total dominance being more than a minute ahead of everyone else or winning starting from 18th position are impressive achievements.


Very true.

Maybe James Hunt deserves a mention for giving Hesketh their first and only win.

Edited by Wander, 08 December 2012 - 14:29.


#30 Showty

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 14:33

Fernando´s first win at Hungaroring at 22 years old., the R23 was a good car but not as good as the Williams, the McLaren or the Ferrari, at Hungaroring he made the difference.

He was up there that season getting some good positions but in Hungary he was unbeatable, he made qualy lap after qualy lap for the whole race, he even lapped Schumacher and his teammate Trulli.

Pos No Driver Team Laps Time/Retired Grid Pts
1 8 Fernando Alonso Renault 70 1:39:01.460 1 10
2 6 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 70 +16.7 secs 7 8
3 3 Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW 70 +34.5 secs 4 6
4 4 Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW 70 +35.6 secs 2 5
5 5 David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes 70 +56.5 secs 9 4
6 14 Mark Webber Jaguar-Cosworth 70 +72.6 secs 3 3
7 7 Jarno Trulli Renault 69 +1 Lap 6 2
8 1 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 69 +1 Lap 8 1
9 9 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas 69 +1 Lap 11
10 17 Jenson Button BAR-Honda 69 +1 Lap 14



#31 Ragingjamaican

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 14:35

I think both Brawns 3-stopped in that race, but I'm going purely by memory so I could be wrong.


Nope, Button was originally on a 3 stop strategy too, but got switched to a 2 stopper, Button went on to finish ahead of him. Think that was the main reason due to his outburst as he thought the team was favouring Button.

#32 jals99

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 14:46

Trulli in Monaco 2004

#33 selespeed

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 14:51

panis monaco 1996.
starting 14th...fastest in the morning warmup...overtook 4 cars on track...occasionaly uo to 5sec faster than the leader...

#34 Rob G

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 14:57

I'd have to go with Vettel's win. He did it in appalling conditions for a lower-echelon team in a car that wasn't supposed to be remotely competitive for a win.

Special mention to Giancarlo Baghetti, who won in his first-ever F1 race, at Syracuse, AND in his first-ever World Championship F1 race, at Reims.

#35 garoidb

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 14:58

The most impressive thing about Keke is how he managed to become WDC having only 1 win in his career at that point.


Speaking of Keke, Elio deAngelis's win at the Austrian GP 1982 was very memorable.

#36 np93

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 15:05

Jean Alesi in Canada 1995, victory in the Number 27 Ferrari at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a poignant moment

#37 BillBald

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 15:16

Nope, Button was originally on a 3 stop strategy too, but got switched to a 2 stopper, Button went on to finish ahead of him. Think that was the main reason due to his outburst as he thought the team was favouring Button.


You are confusing Germany with Barcelona, where Rubens had another outburst.




#38 John Player

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 15:23

Barrichello's first win was incredible.

#39 brabham bt50

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 15:29

Nelson Piquet, Long Beach 1980, pole, fastest lap, victory, nothing or no one could beat Nelson
that weekend

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#40 CrashPad

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 15:35

I think good'ol Maldonado was quite handy while winning in Barcelona this year :wave:

#41 George Costanza

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 16:00

Rubens has to be up there. 18th on the grid, in the rain vs the McLarens...

What a drive.

Trulli at Monaco also was very good but I'd give it Rubens in 2000.

#42 BillBald

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 16:06

I think good'ol Maldonado was quite handy while winning in Barcelona this year :wave:


Well, you'd have to say it was impressive, or at least surprising.

It might be that his already-established reputation for colliding with people helped him somewhat, in that Alonso did not try too hard to overtake him.



#43 BillBald

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 16:09

What's his name? The guy in the blue car.

Overtook a bunch of people in Monaco of all places, and won from 14th on the grid.

Wait a minute - it'll come to me...

Olivier Panis.



#44 Les

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 16:12

Here's a mention for Beltoise's amazing win at Monaco in 1972 destroying the rest of the field in the rain. Everyone up to 3rd was lapped rain master Ickx was 38 seconds back.

Of course the greatest ever first win by a driver was the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix.

#45 goldenboy

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 16:29

for me personally as a fan it's webber although I know it's not the best by any driver. Was great after the years of torture!!

And also.... the first race in about 7 years that I missed!

#46 BullHead

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 17:08

Button's debut win at Hungary was impressive to me. Dunno about most impressive though.. too many to think of and consider.

#47 encircled

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 17:19

Interesting to see different names from different eras, especially from the older decade as I am not able to watch F1 back then.

#48 MP422

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 17:21

I think good'ol Maldonado was quite handy while winning in Barcelona this year :wave:



Absolutely and i put that above Vettel in Monza.

#49 halifaxf1fan

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 17:33

Gilles Villeneuve winning his first race at the first F1 race at Ile Notre Dame in 1978. First win for a Canadian in F1 and he won it on his home track in Canada.

Posted Image

Edited by halifaxf1fan, 28 June 2013 - 20:58.


#50 Myrvold

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Posted 08 December 2012 - 18:00

Plus they played the Italian Anthem, which was hilariously wrong


Sorry, what?

I was initally thinking about Panis in 96, just because that he was very fast, and kept in on the track. However, after reading about Beltoise here. I'm going to go for that win!

The Vettel-win wasn't that impressive for me. Bourdais was fast enough for a podium that day, and that tells me that STR had a somewhat perfect setup compared to the others. I remember some talk about many others not thinking it would be that much rain, and not having a full wet setup or something.
A very solid effort to bring it home at top. But, Toro Rosso was a fast car at the end of that season, and with a very good setup compared to others, it wasn't that impressive!