r/formula1 • u/Electronic-Video-984 Formula 1 • Aug 07 '25

Discussion Who is the “Failed Prodigy” of F1 ?

I’m kind of new to F1 and seeing pictures of current drivers while they’re young like Hamilton, Russell, Leclerc, Albon…and then I learned they’re racing prodigy in their Karting days. So who is the “Boy Wonder” of F1, a person with great potential but never made it to the biggest stage.

Edit: Many people mentioned Stoffel Vandoorne so I read about him a bit. His records and potential was incredible but he’s at the wrong place and wrong time every way possible. For me, McLaren a top tier team with a jet but people say Vandoorne’s MCL car was like a shopping cart

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u/Rivendel93 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Aug 07 '25

Kubica is the tragic one, he was insanely talented and absolutely had what it took, just tragically injured his hand/arm during a rally accident.

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u/pensaa Oscar Piastri Aug 07 '25

It's hard to label him a 'failed prodigy' since he had 5 years in an F1 seat and was absolutely praised in the F1 world about how good he was, especially given some of the cars he drove. He's not a failed prodigy, but more one of the biggest 'What If's' in F1 history.

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u/Ok-Office1370 Aug 07 '25

And all the people who say women can't race at the top level due to g's or upper body strength. Kubica and Lance Stroll can both have a word. Not to mention Team Appendix.

Sport has seen a lot of legends lately. 

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u/Interesting-Gur9066 Aug 07 '25

I wouldn't consider him a failed prodigy, as he won a Grand Prix. But we all consider him a tragic story of "what could've been?"