Lost dreams, stolen championships, and missed opportunities. Sometimes, even the greatest talents fail to reach the top. Were they not good enough after all? Or were there other factors at play? The fact is, a career in Formula 1 is often determined by more than just talent. Political games, tragic crashes, wrong choices, or simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time can make the difference between fame and obscurity. This provides ample food for thought about what could have been. We take you through four types of ‘what-ifs’ in the history of F1: from wrong choices and crashes to politics and untapped talent.
Oh, what if…
1. Wrong Choices: Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso’s career is the story of a two-time world champion who could perhaps have been a five-time champion. After his second championship with Renault, he moved to McLaren – a choice that turned out to be completely wrong due to an internal struggle with Lewis Hamilton and a chaotic departure. Frustrated, he returned to Renault, which had by then lost its dominance. He then switched to Ferrari, where he came close to the title several times, but was ultimately outperformed by the hegemony of Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull. A return to McLaren in 2015 proved to be another wrong choice, as the partnership with Honda turned out to be disastrous due to a lack of speed and reliability. Although Alonso’s career is still that of a champion, this series painted a picture of a ‘mega talent that was always in the wrong place’. The question that continues to haunt Formula 1 fans is:
“What if Fernando Alonso had chosen Red Bull or Mercedes at the time? Would he now be a five-time champion?”
2. Tragic Crashes: Jules Bianchi
A tragic story that still hurts. Jules Bianchi, a protégé of Ferrari, seemed destined to succeed Kimi Räikkönen. His ninth place with Marussia during the 2014 Monaco GP is still considered historic. Despite being part of a small team, he proved he was ready for the top and on the verge of a breakthrough. But fate decided otherwise. During the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, he was involved in a severe crash and died months later from his injuries. His death left not only a void in the paddock but also symbolizes how unpredictable and cruel the sport can be. The question that continues to haunt Formula 1 fans is:
“What if Bianchi had become Ferrari’s future star? Could he have been the new champion?”
3. Talent without a Podium: Jarno Trulli
A master in qualifying and famous for his one-lap speed: Jarno Trulli. In 2004, he won the Monaco Grand Prix for Renault, but his time with the team ended abruptly. Team boss Flavio Briatore openly criticized Trulli’s race performances, with a mistake during the French GP being the turning point. However, Trulli felt unfairly treated and claimed he was not given the chance to fully showcase his talent. The split led to a move to Toyota, where he rarely had a competitive car and remained stuck in the midfield… not exactly in line with expectations after his promising rise. The question that has haunted Formula 1 fans ever since is:
“What if Renault had supported Trulli instead of letting him go prematurely? Could he have translated his immense talent into multiple victories, or even a championship?”
4. Political Games: Nelson Piquet Jr.
Sometimes it’s not a missed opportunity or the wrong team, but a scandal that ruins a career. This happened to Nelson Piquet Jr. in 2008 when Renault asked him to crash deliberately so that teammate Fernando Alonso could win in Singapore. He did as he was asked, but it came out: the ensuing scandal sent shockwaves through the F1 world and destroyed Piquet’s career. He was not taken seriously by teams afterwards and never regained his relevance as a driver. Tragic, as he was following orders from above, with fatal consequences for his career. Many were left with the questions:
“What if Piquet Jr. had refused to crash? Could the trajectory of his career have continued upwards?”
Beyond speed and technique, Formula 1 also encompasses a multitude of emotional and tragic stories. Reaching the top is a combination of factors where everything must align and go well. Politics, timing, and sheer bad luck can block the path to the top, even for the greatest talents. Or are these factors that are inseparable from the sport – and thus also require talent? It remains an elusive friction point. And while we celebrate the champions, we should also remember all the stars who never got to shine fully. These stories of what could have been make the sport as tragic as it is fascinating. Which driver would you have wished a different twist of fate for?
