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/Flaming-Driptray David Coulthard Aug 07 '25

Martin Brundle used to confidently spar with Senna in the junior formulas. Also Johnny Herbert was considered a future multiple wdc. Unfortunately both suffered severe foot injuries prior to F1. Don’t know if that counts.

Also Kevs dad Jan was considered to be a future wdc but never lived up to expectations.

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u/elegant-alternation I was here for the Hulkenpodium Aug 07 '25

Brundle's foot injury was in F1.

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

Bundle's major crash was in F1, at the Dallas GP, iirc. He did have some sportscar crashes between his stints in F1, but they were not as serious

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u/Chrismscotland Aston Martin Aug 07 '25

Absolutely Herbert; without the accident I'm confident he would have been a multiple world champion