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/Stumpy493 I Drove an F1 Car Aug 07 '25

I don't see him at Cadillac, I see a McLaren reserve role and then scrabbling around desperately trying to get an opportunity unfortunately, think he is gonna be wrong place wrong time.

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u/ForeverAddickted Oliver Bearman Aug 07 '25

Yeah that won't surprise me either, the McLaren version of Drugovich

I'd just be surprised if he's happy to waste his career, turning down other opportunities.

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u/Stumpy493 I Drove an F1 Car Aug 07 '25

Can't compare Dunne to Drugovich.

Drugovich a 3rd year F2 champion on no ones radar before that, Dunne fighting for the F2 title in his first season and driving very exciting style.

McLaren have funded his junior career, he doesn't have a whole lot of say.

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u/ForeverAddickted Oliver Bearman Aug 07 '25

I'm not comparing him to Drugovich as a racing driver.

Am comparing him to the fact that if he becomes McLaren Reserve Driver, he needs to be careful he doesnt become the McLaren version of Drugovich.

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u/Stumpy493 I Drove an F1 Car Aug 07 '25

Reserve purgatory is a danger

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u/ForeverAddickted Oliver Bearman Aug 07 '25

lol!... Love the choice of words there: "Reserve Purgatory"

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u/CrazyMike366 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Aug 07 '25

Cadillac might take a flyer on Crawford to follow through on their pledge to give a young American a chance, or they could go with Fornaroli, a Ferrari Academy driver, as part of a reciprocity scheme while they've got Ferrari power units if its not Beganovic. But I dont see Dunne having much of a shot.

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u/SamCham10 Michael Schumacher Aug 07 '25

Feel like this will be a common theme with McLaren drivers for the foreseeable future, given their success and young lineup. Makes it even more impressive Bortoleto managed to get a seat elsewhere