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'Do you know who my dad is?!' - F1 kids, the good the bad and the shrugly


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#1 Graveltrappen

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 15:12

So at the moment we seem to be in an era of the kids of motorsport heros of the past making their way through the rankings. Not quite sure why this is more prevalent than in previous eras, but anyhow;

Which offspring have been a success a failure or simply an acceptable journeyman?

Alex Brundle springs to mind as someone who hasn't ever really achieved the success hoped for by not least his dad Martin...

Verstappen Jnr looks like he'll surpass the efforts of Jos

Prost and Piquet seem to be doing well in Formula E...

I don't think Mick Schumacher will ever have the impact his dad had, despite the hopes, dreams and pushes of those who wish him to do so. Good luck to the lad though!

Will be interesting to see if we see Hakkinen Jnr in F1 at any time

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#2 PayasYouRace

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 15:20

I don't think it really is more prevalent at the moment.

 

I was actually looking at this yesterday. The last year the F1 field didn't feature any "sons of" was 1991 (except for a bit of 2004 while Villeneuve wasn't racing).



#3 RedBaron

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 15:22

It does seem to be making headlines, but it's always been part of F1. Jacques Villeneuve, Damon Hill, Michael Andretti, Kazuki Nakajima, Nico Rosberg, Nelson Piquet Jnr, Bruno Senna (Not a son but close) and probably others.


Edited by RedBaron, 26 April 2015 - 15:27.


#4 Graveltrappen

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 15:25

Magnussen looks like doing 'a magnussen' IE; coming in with great expectation only to be dumped and never heard of again after 1 full season...

#5 Fatgadget

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 15:30

Not just in F1!...I give you Matt Wilson in WRC. Young Carlos Sainz in F1 ?

#6 Ross Stonefeld

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 15:41

Panis Jr looks either in over his head, or moved up too fast too soon.



#7 Amphicar

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 15:44

It does seem to be making headlines, but it's always been part of F1. Jacques Villeneuve, Damon Hill, Michael Andretti, Kazuki Nakajima, Nico Rosberg, Nelson Piquet Jnr, Bruno Senna (Not a son but close) and probably others.

You can add Christian Fittipaldi (son of Wilson) and Michael Andretti (son of Mario) to that list - and (at a push) Stirling Moss, whose father, Alfred was a reasonable amateur racing driver, who once competed in the Indy 500.



#8 rhukkas

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 15:45

Palmer, Rosberg, Schumacher, Bianchi (great uncle), Sainz, Verstappen, Magnussan etc...

 

Thing is motorsport only cares about two things - who you know and/or how much money you've got.

 

The only driver on the radar at ALL who I wouldn't consider one of these drivers is Oli Rowland. 



#9 Henri Greuter

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 15:47

What about Jeff Andretti: Son of ....

More painful: and brother of....

 

 

Mini-Al, the son of Al unser Jr and grandson of Al Unser Sr, did he ever started racing?

 

 

Henri



#10 Jimisgod

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 16:09

http://en.espn.co.uk...tory/31079.html
Antonio & Alberto Ascari, Hans & Hans-Joachim Stuck are two of the earlier examples.

Edited by Jimisgod, 26 April 2015 - 16:11.


#11 Collombin

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 16:26

Stirling Moss, whose father, Alfred was a reasonable amateur racing driver, who once competed in the Indy 500.


He drove in two. Add his mum and sister's motorsport exploits, and they are quite the racing family. Doesn't seem to have rubbed off on Stirling's son though.

#12 whitewaterMkII

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 16:27

From what I understand, Sebastian Montoya is doing well in Karts. The next Verstappen, jr?



#13 SilverArrow31

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 16:37

The younger Schumacher already has two articles dedicated to him in the daily mail, and he's just made his debut. Talk about being in the spot light the poor kid.



#14 johnmhinds

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 16:37

Leo and Greg Mansell both flopped after a couple of years of racing, their last race was 2010 Le Mans when Nigel crashed their teams car on lap 4.



#15 Graveltrappen

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 16:46

Leo and Greg Mansell both flopped after a couple of years of racing, their last race was 2010 Le Mans when Nigel crashed their teams car on lap 4.


Nigel probably had a huge grin on his face as they failed... Saves him all the agro of having to tell them they're not as good as him, or have it easier than he did in his day

Edited by Graveltrappen, 26 April 2015 - 16:46.


#16 BlackCat

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 16:53

Mathias Lauda did not do anything spectacular in formula cars or DTM - some 6th places were his best, iirc.



#17 rhukkas

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 17:03

From what I understand, Sebastian Montoya is doing well in Karts. The next Verstappen, jr?


He isnt racing karts anywhere near the level of verstappen

#18 Prost1997T

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 17:04

Louis Deletraz seems to be doing well, leading the Formula Renault Eurocup points.

#19 Lotus53B

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 17:08

I would say that Damon Hill was a bit of an exception, as his father died long before he got involved in motor sport, and after Graham died his family was fairly impoverished (flat broke). Okay, he did know people from when his dad was a racer, but he got few, if any, favours (until an F3000 team decided that his name (family history) were more sponsor friendly) and worked as a building labourer to finance his racing (over his mother's objections), so I have a lot of respect for his achievements.

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#20 Juan Kerr

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 17:09

Palmer, Rosberg, Schumacher, Bianchi (great uncle), Sainz, Verstappen, Magnussan etc...

 

Thing is motorsport only cares about two things - who you know and/or how much money you've got.

 

The only driver on the radar at ALL who I wouldn't consider one of these drivers is Oli Rowland. 

Lewis Hamilton



#21 Prost1997T

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 17:10

I would say that Damon Hill was a bit of an exception, as his father died long before he got involved in motor sport, and after Graham died his family was fairly impoverished (flat broke). Okay, he did know people from when his dad was a racer, but he got few, if any, favours (until an F3000 team decided that his name (family history) were more sponsor friendly) and worked as a building labourer to finance his racing (over his mother's objections), so I have a lot of respect for his achievements.


I thought he was a motorcycle courier?

#22 Vitesse2

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 17:16

I thought he was a motorcycle courier?

He did both at various times.



#23 Dick Dastardly

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 17:25

What is Vanina Ickx doing nowadays...?



#24 billm99uk

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 17:38

Louis Deletraz seems to be doing well, leading the Formula Renault Eurocup points.

 

Yes I was watching him win yesterday. Though, of course, exceeding HIS dads F1 achievements might be a bit easier for him than Mick Schumacher   ;)​ 



#25 George Costanza

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 17:45

Damon Hill did a great job considering his late career (at 32) and loss of his dad.



#26 whitewaterMkII

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 17:48

He isnt racing karts anywhere near the level of verstappen

he's 10 years old...



#27 Gorma

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 17:52

Lewis Hamilton

?



#28 Imperial

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 17:56

Moving a generation on from Damon, his own son Josh quit racing a couple of years ago to work on music. I have no idea what exactly he does now.

I think he either didn't have the taste or hunger enough or realised he wasn't in the top calibre, so opted to take himself out of the equation.

Very honourable really, when he so easily could have used the 'grandson and son of' angle to have sponsors buying his way into drives.

I've always liked Damon as a man and looks like he his raised his children correctly.

#29 Prost1997T

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 18:23

Josh's stats look decent, not outstanding but not poor either. He was third in Formula Renault NEC in 2012, and still ended up 12th in 2013 Euro F3 points despite quitting half-way through.

Edited by Prost1997T, 26 April 2015 - 18:23.


#30 Boing 2

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 18:28

Jean Alesi's son Guiliano just toook two poles and two wins in his first F4 starts.. :clap: :clap:

 

 

http://www.motorspor...start/?v=11&s=1



#31 ensign14

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 19:08

What is Vanina Ickx doing nowadays...?

 

Me.

 

I wish.



#32 PayasYouRace

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 19:10

Me.

 

I wish.

 

She's surprisingly good looking considering her age and resemblance to her dad.



#33 Jimisgod

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 19:46

Wait so an Alesi and a Schumacher won the F4 races? It's like the mid-90s are returning.

#34 Rob

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 20:04

I would say that Damon Hill was a bit of an exception, as his father died long before he got involved in motor sport, and after Graham died his family was fairly impoverished (flat broke). Okay, he did know people from when his dad was a racer, but he got few, if any, favours (until an F3000 team decided that his name (family history) were more sponsor friendly) and worked as a building labourer to finance his racing (over his mother's objections), so I have a lot of respect for his achievements.

 

In 1984 he won the Champion of Brands series. He drove a van to the tracks and prepared the bikes himself.

 

3sECweK.jpg



#35 Rob

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 20:05

I don't think it really is more prevalent at the moment.

 

I was actually looking at this yesterday. The last year the F1 field didn't feature any "sons of" was 1991 (except for a bit of 2004 while Villeneuve wasn't racing).

 

There was a "nephew of" - Pierluigi Martini.



#36 Nikos Spagnol

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 21:42

So far, there are 3 families which had 3 different drivers racing in Formula One: 

 

- Fittipaldi (Wilson, Emerson and Christian),

- Villeneuve (Gilles, Jacques Sr. and Jacques),

- Winkelhock (Manfred, Joachim and Markus).

 

The pattern for the 3 families is the same: father, uncle and son/nephew.

 

Also, Jacques Villeneuve Sr. (Gilles brother) and Manfred Winkelhock never qualified for a single race, making the 3 Fittipaldis the only ones to have started an actual Grand Prix at least.

 

Jacques was the only "son of...", among those 3 families, to have exceeded his father's achievements.

 

Markus was the only Winkelhock to have lead (after starting last) a Grand Prix, but didn't beat his father records, as his carreer was cut short to one single race.

 

Emerson was the only "uncle" to perform better than his brother Wilson and nephew Christian. 


Edited by Nikos Spagnol, 26 April 2015 - 21:44.


#37 Yoran

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 21:52

I think you mean Joachim Winkelhock never made it through prequalifying, Manfred started some 47 GPs   ;)



#38 Collombin

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 22:12

So far, there are 3 families which had 3 different drivers racing in Formula One: 
 
- Fittipaldi (Wilson, Emerson and Christian),
- Villeneuve (Gilles, Jacques Sr. and Jacques),
- Winkelhock (Manfred, Joachim and Markus).


Based on the criteria here, wouldn't the Brabhams count too?

#39 Rob

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Posted 26 April 2015 - 22:39

So far, there are 3 families which had 3 different drivers racing in Formula One: 

 

- Fittipaldi (Wilson, Emerson and Christian),

 

Max Papis married Emerson Fittipaldi's daughter, so that's a tenuous fourth.



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#40 jonpollak

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 06:14

Stolen from wrcva in the current F1 Pic retro thread

famillegillesvilleneuve-620x432.jpg

Jp


Edited by jonpollak, 28 April 2015 - 06:17.


#41 Gorma

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 06:26

- Villeneuve (Gilles, Jacques Sr. and Jacques),

Does Jacques Villeneuve Sr. really have son named Jacques and a nephew called Jacques or why is he called senior?



#42 RosannaG

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 06:30

What about Jeff Andretti: Son of ....

More painful: and brother of....

 

 

Mini-Al, the son of Al unser Jr and grandson of Al Unser Sr, did he ever started racing?

 

 

Henri

 

And I guess we should add Marco Andretti, grandson of..., son of... nephew of...



#43 lustigson

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 07:20

It won't be too long before Jos is 'the father of' instead of vice versa. ;-)



#44 Imateria

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 11:05

Does Jacques Villeneuve Sr. really have son named Jacques and a nephew called Jacques or why is he called senior?

Because we've got 2 drivers from the same family called Jacques Villeneuve, hence Sr used to denote Gilles brother and differentiate him from the younger Jacques.



#45 DampMongoose

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 17:44

Jackie Stewart's son Paul won in single seaters didn't he? Paul Stewart Racing. Plus Jackies brother was a sportscar driver.

#46 DampMongoose

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 17:49

Derek and Justin Bell? Tom and Fergus Walkinshaw?

#47 WinstonSmith

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 18:31

Open wheel auto racing is one of the least accessible sports, and therefore it has one of the shallowest talent pools. Nepotism is rife mostly because children of drivers are likely to be immersed in racing from early ages. They're well prepared for the mediocre level of talent that makes it to the top level of a sport that's all about money and marketing, but they're rarely actual greats; which are generally drivers that spent their junior careers overcoming a lack of privilege.



#48 Jimisgod

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 18:45

Open wheel auto racing is one of the least accessible sports, and therefore it has one of the shallowest talent pools. Nepotism is rife mostly because children of drivers are likely to be immersed in racing from early ages. They're well prepared for the mediocre level of talent that makes it to the top level of a sport that's all about money and marketing, but they're rarely actual greats; which are generally drivers that spent their junior careers overcoming a lack of privilege.

 


It's pretty sad that now the "sons of ______" are taking the young driver development driver seats. They were one of the few places still open for new blood but Magnussen Jr. and Verstappen Jr. have been taking up positions.

#49 RosannaG

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 19:04

We shouldn't forget the late Henry Surtees.



#50 Nemo1965

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 19:21

Every time I see the thread-title I imagine a little boy standing at the entrance of the F1 paddock, trying to find the man who once seduced his now single mother: 'Sir, do you know who my dad is?'