As Lando Norris scored his maiden win in Miami after 109 starts, he joined the rest that waited much longer to reach the chequered flag first.
The Longest Wait for An F1 Race Win
A championship title win is the goal of every Formula 1 driver. However, that first Grand Prix win is another ultimate dream. For some though, their first taste of victory takes an all too long time.
Here are the top 10 F1 drivers who have experienced longer intervals between their first start and their first-ever race win.
10. Mika Hakkinen – 96th race
Before securing his first Drivers’ Championship the following season, Mika Hakkinen had been steadily working his way up the field, earning consistent points finishes. He managed top-six results in the first four rounds of the 1997 season.
Now in his fourth year with McLaren – and his seventh in Formula 1 – Hakkinen was edging closer to his first career victory. At the British Grand Prix, the ninth round of the season, it looked like he would finally take the top step of the podium.
Unfortunately, with less than eight laps remaining, an engine failure dashed his hopes, allowing Jacques Villeneuve to claim the win instead.
The remainder of Hakkinen’s season was plagued by setbacks, including mechanical failures that resulted in multiple DNFs.
However, his fortunes turned at the final race of the year, the 1997 European Grand Prix.
While most fans were focused on the championship-deciding clash between Michael Schumacher and Villeneuve, Hakkinen’s breakthrough victory became another defining moment of the event.
The collision between the two title contenders opened the door for McLaren to capitalize on their team strategy. Hakkinen and teammate David Coulthard seized the opportunity, delivering a McLaren one-two finish, with Hakkinen crossing the line first.
After enduring a season filled with frustrations, Hakkinen’s maiden victory provided a triumphant conclusion to his 1997 campaign, cementing his reputation as ‘The Flying Finn.’
9. Lando Norris – 110th race
Lando Norris quickly became one of the most promising talents in Formula 1 after his debut in 2019. Following his first podium in 2020, his career continued on an upward path.
He came close to claiming his first win at the 2021 Russian Grand Prix. However, a gamble to stay on slick tyres as rain hit the track backfired, forcing him to pit late for Intermediates. He ended the race in P7, missing out on what seemed like a certain victory.
Three seasons later, Norris had clearly learned from that mistake. With McLaren making huge strides in performance, Norris found himself behind the wheel of the fastest cars on the grid in 2024.
At the Miami Grand Prix, a mid-race Safety Car created the perfect opportunity. Norris made a well-timed pit stop, rejoining the race in the lead. From there, he controlled the pace and comfortably drove his McLaren to victory.
After more than 100 races, Norris finally celebrated his first Formula 1 win.
8. Giancarlo Fisichella – 110th race
Next on the list is Giancarlo Fisichella, a seasoned driver from the 2000s. By the time of his first win, he had raced for teams like Minardi, Jordan, and Benetton. After competing for Jordan earlier in his career, he rejoined the Irish team for the 2002 season.
Even though the Jordan EJ13 was one of the least competitive cars on the grid, Fisichella never gave up on his dream of securing a victory.
That dream finally came true, though under unusual circumstances, at the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix. Battling McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen for the lead, Fisichella was ahead on Lap 54 when the race was stopped due to multiple crashes, including major incidents involving Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso.
Initially, Raikkonen was declared the winner based on the rule that results are taken from two laps before the red flag. Fisichella was demoted to second place.
However, an FIA investigation revealed a timekeeping error. Days later, the win was officially awarded to Fisichella, making the Italian as winner of the chaotic race.
Remarkably, Fisichella remains the only F1 driver in history to win a race without standing on the podium.
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7. Nico Rosberg – 111th race
Nico Rosberg faced a challenging start to his career with Williams, managing his first podium in 2008 after four tough seasons since debuting in 2006. However, his move to Mercedes transformed the trajectory of his career.
By his third year with the Silver Arrows in 2012, Rosberg was eager to showcase his talent and prove his worth behind the wheel.
The 2012 season formed a level playing field, with seven different names emerging as race winners for the season’s opening rounds.
The 2012 season was highly competitive, with seven different drivers winning the first seven races. Rosberg’s opportunity to join that list came in the third round at the Chinese Grand Prix.
After clinching pole position, he maintained control for most of the race, even building a 20-second gap to the McLarens of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages.
Rosberg’s maiden victory was not only special for him but also historic. He became the first German driver to win a race driving German machinery and delivered Mercedes their first win as a Constructor since their return to Formula 1 in 2010.
6. Jenson Button – 113th race
The 2009 World Champion, Jenson Button, had stints with Williams, Benetton, and BAR early in his career.
When BAR was rebranded as Honda in 2006, Button remained with the team. The increased resources from Honda brought improvements to the car, giving Button confidence in their potential. However, progress was often overshadowed by retirements and setbacks.
Button’s long-awaited opportunity for a first win came at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix. He qualified a strong P4 but faced a major setback after an engine issue during practice required a replacement, earning him a 10-place grid penalty.
Starting from P14 in a wet-weather race, Button displayed exceptional skill, steadily working his way through the field.
As the race unfolded, many drivers struggled with tyre strategies, and a series of crashes brought out the safety car, helping Button gain positions. He eventually found himself in P2 behind Fernando Alonso.
Alonso defended his lead well, but a right-rear wheel failure caused him to lose control and crash, handing Button the lead. From there, he maintained his composure to cross the finish line first, securing his maiden Formula 1 victory.
It was a stunning achievement, marked by a climb of 13 places and Button’s mastery of the challenging, rain-soaked conditions.
5. Jarno Trulli – 117th race
Jarno Trulli experienced a mix of highs and lows throughout his F1 career. His debut performances with Minardi impressed many, but his time at Prost and Jordan was less successful.
After moving to Renault, Trulli occasionally outshone his teammates, including Jenson Button and later Fernando Alonso. He steadily improved his race pace, earning points and podium finishes along the way.
Trulli’s first – and only – F1 victory came on the iconic streets of Monaco in 2004. Known for his strong performances at this circuit, he had already secured top-six finishes in Monaco during the two previous seasons.
In 2004, Trulli qualified on pole but faced a chaotic race. Two major crashes within the first three laps triggered safety car periods, and Trulli had to contend with a hard-charging Michael Schumacher, who briefly led the race twice.
However, a collision between Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya forced the German driver to retire, handing the lead back to Trulli.
The Italian then faced a fierce challenge from Button, who closed in during the final stages. Despite the pressure, Trulli held his ground and crossed the finish line first, claiming a hard-fought maiden victory.
4. Rubens Barrichello – 123rd race
Rubens Barrichello’s early Formula 1 career was plagued by poor car reliability, a common issue during his time with Jordan and Stewart. Despite these challenges, he consistently outperformed his teammates and earned occasional podium finishes.
These results eventually secured him a seat with Ferrari in 2000 – a move that would redefine his career.
The 11th race of the 2000 season took place at Hockenheimring, but Barrichello’s weekend started poorly. He was forced to use Michael Schumacher’s repaired race car due to an oil leak in his own. Combined with tricky conditions caused by rain, Barrichello qualified on the back row.
Undeterred, the Brazilian adopted a two-stop strategy and began an incredible charge through the field. Within just the first lap, he had climbed eight places, moving from P18 to P10, and continued setting fastest laps throughout the race.
A stroke of luck came when a former Mercedes employee walked onto the track to protest, prompting the deployment of the safety car. Barrichello’s strategy benefitted greatly from this interruption.
As rain returned in the final laps, Barrichello found himself in the lead. Despite the slippery conditions, he held on to secure his first-ever Formula 1 victory at the 2000 German Grand Prix.
The victory was an emotional moment for Barrichello, marking the end of a seven-year wait for his maiden win.
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3. Mark Webber – 130th race
Mark Webber, a widely celebrated talent in Formula 1, had a varied career across teams like Minardi, Jaguar, and Williams.
When he joined Red Bull in 2007, the team was still finding its footing. However, their performance took a significant leap forward two years later. By 2009, Webber was consistently fighting for podiums, solidifying his status as a key driver for the team.
Heading into the German Grand Prix, the ninth race of the 2009 season, Webber was emerging as a championship contender.
His race, however, got off to a rocky start. He received a drive-through penalty for an early collision with Rubens Barrichello. Despite the setback, Webber displayed incredible determination. After serving his penalty, he steadily worked his way back through the field, regaining the lead on Lap 15.
Though Barrichello briefly took the lead, Webber fought back and reclaimed the top spot. From there, he dominated the remainder of the race, securing his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Nürburgring.
Webber’s triumph was even more memorable as it marked a Red Bull 1-2 finish, with teammate Sebastian Vettel crossing the line over nine seconds behind.
2. Carlos Sainz Jr. – 150th race
Carlos Sainz Jr. began his Formula 1 journey with Toro Rosso in 2015, where his talents were often overshadowed by his teammate, Max Verstappen.
Despite this, Sainz’s performances spoke volumes as he progressed through stints with Renault and McLaren, building a reputation for consistency and skill.
His move to Ferrari in 2021 marked a turning point in his career. Multiple podium finishes followed, and the possibility of a first win felt increasingly within reach.
The breakthrough came at the 2022 British Grand Prix. Sainz started the weekend on a high, securing pole position in a strong qualifying session.
On race day, however, he faced immediate challenges. Defending champion Verstappen overtook him at the first corner. Meanwhile, a massive crash involving multiple cars at the back of the grid caused the race to be red-flagged.
The restart was based on the original grid order, giving Sainz another chance to reclaim the lead. He briefly led again but was forced to concede to the relentless pace of the Dutchman.
Fate took a turn when Verstappen’s car sustained floor damage after running over debris. With the Red Bull slowed, Sainz capitalized on the opportunity, retaking the lead.
From there, the Spaniard maintained his position under pressure, crossing the line first to claim his maiden Grand Prix victory at Silverstone.
1. Sergio Perez – 190th race
Topping the list is a driver who holds the record for the longest wait in Formula 1 history to taste victory.
Sergio Perez made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2011, quickly showcasing his potential by scoring his first championship point in just his fifth race at the Spanish Grand Prix.
After a few years of steady progress, Perez joined Racing Point (previously Force India and now Aston Martin) in 2014. While he became a consistent points-scorer and podium contender, the elusive first win remained out of reach during his six years with the team.
The breakthrough came in extraordinary circumstances at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, held during the COVID-19 pandemic. Perez qualified a decent fifth, setting the stage for a chaotic and unpredictable race.
At the start, he found himself locked in a three-way battle for third with Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. A collision between the trio sent Perez to the back of the field and triggered a safety car period. The Mexican pitted for fresh tyres and rejoined the race.
From there, Perez began a remarkable recovery drive, climbing back through the field. A virtual safety car caused by Nicholas Latifi’s oil leak provided an additional boost, allowing him to rise into the top three.
Once in the lead, Perez faced intense pressure from George Russell, who was substituting for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. However, Russell’s challenge was ended by a late-race puncture, clearing Perez’s path to an emotional victory.
After nearly 200 races, Pérez finally claimed his maiden win, becoming the first Mexican driver to stand on the top step of the podium since Pedro Rodriguez in 1970.
His triumph also marked Racing Point’s only F1 victory before their transformation into Aston Martin.
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