Motorsports is usually considered a domain for the young because of the stamina and endurance required to sustain it race after race. However, some names have made their mark in Formula racing despite making an entrance fairly late in their lives.
Their stories prove that nothing is impossible if you have passion and determination. This article will introduce you to the eight most aged F1 drivers that broke the age barriers!
Clemente Biondetti
Do you know that Biondetti was 52 years old when he first raced in the Italian Grand Prix? Even though his career in Grand Prix wasn’t so fruitful, he gained immense respect for his tenacity. He held a resume with zero career points and wins.
Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org
Bill Aston
This 52-year-old racer participated in the German Grand Prix in 1952. What’s more, Aston had three entries to the F1 championship. Initially, Bill Aston was a trained engineer and worked as a test pilot before trying Formula racing.
Photo Credit: www.f1forgottendrivers.com
Hans Stuck
Hans Stuck represented teams Ferrari, BRM, and AFM in the 1953 Italian Grand Prix, when he was 52 years old. Like the earlier entries on this list, Stuck also couldn’t enter any wins in his resume.
Photo Credit: www.formula1points.com
Adolf Brudes
At the age of 52 years, Brudes initiated his career in racing by participating in German Grand Prix. His ownership of the Auto Union car and BMW helped him kickstart his racing career. The love of speed and racing came for Brudes through motorcycles.
Photo Credit: www.formula1points.com
Luigi Fagioli
Fagioli was 53 when he raced for team Alfa Romeo in the French Grand Prix in 1951. He is one of the only few older racers to win Formula racing. Fagioli holds one win, seven entries, and six appearances on the podium throughout his career.
Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org
Arthur Legat
Arthur Legat began his Formula racing career when he was 54 years old. His first race was at the 1953 Belgian Grand Prix. Legat also secured victory in Grand Prix des Frontieres at Chimay.
Photo Credit: www.f1forgottendrivers.com
Philipe Etancelin
Etancelin holds 12 appearances throughout his career as a Formula racer. The 55-year-old racer also secured three points! He also secured the 8th position in the French Grand Prix, which is no easy feat!
Louis Chiron
Chiron is the oldest driver to have entered a formula one race. At age 58, Chiron participated in the practice round of the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix, but failed to qualify. That was the final race in a chequered racing career that began after World War 1 in 1926. Considered one of the greatest drivers between the World Wars, Louis Chiron won over 14 Grand Prix and also one Spa 24 hours. He also participated in Le Mans and rallies. His last complete race was at the age of 55, when he crossed the checkered flag on a Lancia D50 at an impressive 5th position in the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix. The Bugatti Chiron is named after him.
Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.org
These drivers indeed didn’t let their age come in the way of their passion and dreams. If these drivers decided to retire, the world of F1 would’ve been devoid of their contributions!
Keyword: Oldest F1 Drivers to Participate in Races