WHY THESE 4 COUNTRIES PRODUCE THE MOST F1 CHAMPS
F1 is as elite as it gets in motor racing. If you’ve made it there, you can make it anywhere. Getting into F1 is a challenge like no other, so why are there four countries that consistently produce F1 champs?
Between the 10 teams and 20 drivers, there are billions of dollars at stake, this is a massive international series. Over the years, drivers from 26 nationalities have participated in F1.
Roughly 65% of all the racers over the years have come from Italy, the US, France and the UK. Although these countries might produce the most racers, they aren’t producing the most champions. Take the US for example. Over the years there have been 158 drivers representing the stars and stripes, but only two champions.
The United Kingdom, on the other hand, has produced 164 drivers over the past 70 years, with 10 of these drivers becoming world champions. It’s easy to see why the Brits are in first place when it comes to producing champions.
There’s never been an F1 season without a British driver, team or race. The Brits are big into F1 racing and it shows. Four of the international teams either have their headquarters in the UK or their cars are produced there.
Both Germany and Brazil share second spot for the countries that produce the most F1 champs. Germany is where you’ll find big car names like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW and Audi. It’s also home to the famous autobahn and the Nürburgring.
Brazil has the biggest connection to F1 outside of Europe, and that’s probably because they love sport. The country has produced major champs like Emmerson Fitipaldi and Ayrton Senna. While they don’t have big car manufacturers in their country, they’ve got the supporters.
The fourth country that produces the most F1 champs is Finland. This Scandinavian country has only produced three world champions, but they’ve only had nine drivers competing. No other country comes close to that rate of success. According to former world champion, Mika Hakkinen, it’s because the harsh winters in Finland makes every driver in the country a good driver.
Watch the Donut Media video below for more interesting facts on why these four countries produce the most F1 champions.