Are long-term stable relationships with drivers synonymous with success?

Written by fanf1
Are long-term stable relationships with drivers synonymous with success?
Credit: FanF1

Although Max Verstappen and Red Bull hope to forge a lasting partnership, many drivers are not so fortunate.

When a driver signs a contract lasting more than ten years, this partnership is supposed to become the cornerstone of a team's identity. However, history shows that longevity can be a double-edged sword: for some, it has helped forge dynasties, while for others, it has been a source of disappointment despite the promise of stability.

The most iconic case is that of Michael Schumacher, who racked up 180 Grand Prix starts for Ferrari and transformed the Scuderia into a modern powerhouse, winning five world titles and 72 victories. Close behind him is Lewis Hamilton, whose 178 races for Mercedes prior to the 2022 season have resulted in six championships and a record 82 victories. These two seven-time champions illustrate how a deeply rooted alliance can translate into lasting dominance. The ranking of the sport's 20 most loyal drivers reads like a hall of fame, but the stories behind the numbers vary. Mika Hakkinen made 131 starts for McLaren and won two titles; Sebastian Vettel added 113 starts for Red Bull and four championships; Alain Prost contributed to 107 starts for McLaren and three titles. Their loyalty was rewarded with multiple world crowns and a place among the elite of Formula 1.

Conversely, a long career does not guarantee a trophy cabinet full of trophies. David Coulthard's 150 races for McLaren put him fourth in the loyalty rankings, but he was consistently overshadowed by his teammates Mika Häkkinen and Kimi Räikkönen, as well as rivals such as Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. Similarly, Sebastian Vettel's 118 starts for Ferrari, after four years and four titles with Red Bull, did not earn him a fifth championship, although he did score a memorable victory over Hamilton in 2018 before mechanical problems ruined everything.

Here is the current ranking of the twenty drivers who have competed in the most races for the same team (figures compiled before the 2022 season): 1. Schumacher – 180 starts for Ferrari, 72 wins 2. Hamilton – 178 starts with Mercedes, 82 wins 3. Räikkönen – 151 starts with Ferrari, 10 wins 4. Coulthard – 150 starts with McLaren, 12 wins 5. Massa – 139 starts with Ferrari, 11 wins 6. Nico Rosberg – 136 starts with Mercedes, 23 wins 7. Jenson Button – 136 starts with McLaren, 8 wins 8. Jacques Laffite – 132 starts with Ligier, 6 wins 9. Mika Hakkinen – 131 starts with McLaren, 20 wins 10. Mark Webber – 129 starts with Red Bull, 9 wins 11. Sebastian Vettel – 118 starts with Ferrari, 14 wins 12. Max Verstappen – 118 starts with Red Bull, 20 wins 13. Sebastian Vettel – 113 starts with Red Bull, 38 wins 14. Lewis Hamilton – 110 starts with McLaren, 21 wins 15. Alain Prost – 107 starts with McLaren, 30 wins 16. Nelson Piquet – 106 starts with Brabham, 13 wins 17. Fernando Alonso – 105 starts for Renault, 17 wins 18. Pierluigi Martini – 102 starts for Minardi, 0 wins 19. Rubens Barrichello – 102 starts for Ferrari, 9 wins 20. Valtteri Bottas – 101 starts for Mercedes, 10 wins

These figures highlight a simple truth: loyalty may be the foundation of greatness, but it can also be a long road with no finish line. Teams and drivers must strike a balance between the comfort of familiarity and the relentless pursuit of performance if they are to turn a lasting partnership into a championship legacy.