The biggest names and most powerful teams in Formula 1 often dominate the sport. However, there are moments when certain underdogs step up and shock the world. In their own special way, these remarkable upsets usually occur when a driver dares to defy the odds and succeed with a little of everything. Skill, strategy, and just enough luck to outwit the big boys in the sport. Here are the Top 5 Formula 1 upsets: When underdogs eat the giants
5. James Hunt (1976)
4. Max Verstappen (2021)
3. Keke Rosberg (1982)
Keke Rosberg’s 1982 Formula 1 World Championship win was an extremely surprising one. With only one win at the Swiss Grand Prix, he secured the title. It was an unpredictable 1982 Formula 1 season where there were 11 different race winners in 16 races. Roseberg’s success was also due to reliability issues affecting turbocharged cars. Ferrari suffered two tragedies: losing Gilles Villeneuve after he died in a crash, and Didier Pironi was seriously injured.
Rosberg’s Williams car was naturally aspirated and used a Ford engine, unlike the turbo-powered Brabham BWMs and Renaults. While not as competitive, the Finnish underdog accumulated points through consistent scoring. This consistency made him the first Finnish F1 champion in a season where no one driver dominated. Given that he wasn’t the fastest, Rosberg’s adaptability helped him stay ahead of other drivers. He was also the first to win the championship with one race victory since Mike Hawthorn did it in 1958.
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2. Sebastian Vettel (2010)
1. Kimi Räikkönen (2007)
One of the most dramatic upsets in modern Formula 1 history was Kimi Räikkönen’s 2007 World Championship title. Räikkönen entered the final race in Brazil sitting third in the championship standings behind the two McLaren drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. Rookie sensation Hamilton had led the standings for most of the season, while Alonso, the two-time reigning champion, was also a contender.
Yet, the final race took a surprise turn. Mechanical issues plagued Hamilton, and Alonso couldn’t make the most of it, so Räikkönen took advantage. An exciting finish to the season saw Kimi win the race and secure the title by a single point, beating both McLaren drivers. This victory resulted in his first (and only) World Championship.