Austria has produced 15 Formula 1 drivers across the years. Some of them signed themselves in the history books by becoming the F1 champions. Others, took part in only a few races and never managed to score podiums or even a single point. F1Blast prepared the list of 6 best Austrian F1 drivers.
Austrian F1 Drivers aCROSS hISTORY
The first of Austrian F1 drivers was Jochen Rindt, who won several races, sadly died during an F1 race, and became the only posthumous F1 champion. Starting in the 1964, he began the first wave of Austrian F1 drivers, and inspired many kids and teenagers to chase their dreams in motorsports. Later, in the 70s and 80s, there were other Austrian F1 drivers, such as Dieter Quester, Helmut Marko, Helmuth Koinigg, Harald Ertl, Otto Stuppacher, Karl Oppitzhauser, Hans Binder, Jo Gartner and more. The decision was not simple, but we’ve chosen the 6 best Austrian F1 drivers in our list below.
6. Christian Klien
Christian Klien is a former Austrian F1 driver who raced for Jaguar, Red Bull and HRT between 2004-2010. He competed in 49 Grand Prix races, scoring 14 championship points with a best finish of 5th position.
Some key stats for Christian Klien:
- Championships: 0
- Wins: 0
- Podiums: 0
- Pole Positions: 0
- Points: 14
- Race Starts: 49
Klien made his Formula One debut in 2004 driving for Jaguar. He impressed in his rookie season, outperforming his more experienced teammate Mark Webber at times. In 2005, he moved to the newly formed Red Bull team where he continued to show flashes of talent but lacked consistency. After being dropped by Red Bull late in 2006, Klien spent several years as a test driver for various teams before making a brief comeback with minnows HRT in 2010. While he failed to achieve substantial success in F1, Klien demonstrated that he belonged in the pinnacle of motorsports.
5. Karl Wendlinger
Karl Wendlinger is a former Austrian F1 driver who raced for March, Leyton House, Sauber and Lotus between 1991-1995. He started 41 Grand Prix races, scoring 18 championship points with a best finish of 4th position.
Some key stats for Karl Wendlinger:
- Championships: 0
- Wins: 0
- Podiums: 0
- Pole Positions: 0
- Points: 14
- Race Starts: 41
Wendlinger showed promise early in his career, securing a podium finish in the 1991 German Grand Prix for Leyton House. However, a massive crash during practice for the 1994 Monaco Grand Prix left him in a coma for weeks and ended his career as a top-level driver. Before his accident, Wendlinger established himself as a talented racer who perhaps never reached his full potential due to bad luck and driving for backmarker teams.
4. Alexander Wurz
Alexander Wurz is a retired Austrian racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1997-2007. Driving for Benetton, McLaren and Williams, he started 69 Grand Prix races scoring 3 podium finishes and 45 championship points.
Some key stats for Alexander Wurz:
- Championships: 0
- Wins: 0
- Podiums: 3
- Pole Positions: 0
- Points: 45
- Race Starts: 69
Although he failed to win an F1 race, Wurz built a reputation as a supremely talented test and reserve driver for top teams like McLaren and Williams. His mechanical feedback and car development work helped those squads achieve great success. As a racer, Wurz struggled with consistency but had flashes of brilliance including a podium at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix. His intelligence and technical skills made him an invaluable asset to every team he drove for.
3. Gerhard Berger
Gerhard Berger was one of Austria’s most successful Formula One drivers, competing from 1984-1997 for teams such as Ferrari, McLaren and Benetton. He started 210 Grand Prix races, winning 10 of them and scoring 48 podium finishes overall.
Some key stats for Gerhard Berger:
- Championships: 0
- Wins: 10
- Podiums: 48
- Pole Positions: 12
- Points: 385
- Race Starts: 210
Berger established a reputation as a supremely quick and aggressive driver prone to spectacular crashes as well as stunning drives. Dicing wheel-to-wheel with Senna, Prost and Mansell, he captured some historic wins for Ferrari and McLaren. Although he narrowly missed out on the world title, Berger achieved immense popularity through his swashbuckling style and sense of humor. He ranks as Austria’s 3rd most successful F1 driver ever. He was also the first F1 driver to be sponsored by Red Bull, which took place during the Austrian Grand Prix.
2. Jochen Rindt
Jochen Rindt is Austria’s only Formula One world champion, crowned posthumously in 1970. During a 10-year F1 career from 1964-1970 he started 60 Grand Prix races for teams like Cooper, Brabham and Lotus. He won 6 races and achieved 13 podium finishes.
Some key stats for Jochen Rindt:
- Championships: 1 (1970)
- Wins: 6
- Podiums: 13
- Pole Positions: 5
- Points: 109
- Race Starts: 60
Rindt was a supremely fast and committed racer who dazzled crowds with his bravery. After overcoming a troubled early career dogged by mechanical failures, he flourished at Lotus. Leading the 1970 championship, Rindt was killed during practice for the Italian Grand Prix when his car’s brakes failed. His lead was unassailable, making him Formula One’s only posthumous world champion. Had he not died prematurely, many believe Rindt would have won multiple crowns.
1. Niki Lauda
Niki Lauda is indisputably Austria’s most illustrious Formula One driver. Over a 15-season career from 1971-1985 he amassed 25 Grand Prix victories on his way to 3 world championships (1975, 1977, 1984). He also achieved 54 podium finishes from just 177 race starts.
Some key stats for Niki Lauda:
- Championships: 3 (1975, 1977, 1984)
- Wins: 25
- Podiums: 54
- Pole Positions: 24
- Points: 420,5
- Race Starts: 177
Lauda survived a horrific crash in 1976 that left him severely disfigured and battling devastating injuries. Not only did he recover and return to racing, he won two more world titles after the accident. His epic rivalry with James Hunt topped with the great 1976 F1 season finale was featured in the acclaimed movie “Rush”. As tenacious and calculating as he was blisteringly quick, Niki Lauda ranks as one of Formula One’s most legendary drivers. His
3 world championships and many epic drives cement his legacy as Austria’s greatest ever motorsports icon.