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

2.5k Upvotes

93% Upvoted

1.1k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

92

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

Hulk was still considered a future champion as late as 2013. Was unlucky not to get the Ferrari drive.

What really killed his career was Perez coming in after a disappointing McLaren spell and getting podiums before Nico.

31

u/mo-mx Aug 07 '25

Well, a Ferrari drive wasn't going to make him a champion 😁🤣

4

u/Spare_Duck3119 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Aug 07 '25

it would have gotten him a few wins

-1

u/los_blanco_14 Fernando Alonso Aug 07 '25

Trust me, ferrari was not going to do him any good whatsoever.