Given F1’s roots it’s not surprising that most drivers have been white ethnic Europeans, even those from Africa and South America. Lewis Hamilton’s arrival in F1 as the first driver of Afro Caribbean heritage caused quite a stir in the paddock but he, of course, wasn’t the first non-white or ethnic European driver. Here’s some history:
Birabongse Bhnanubandh of Thailand took part in 18 Grands Prix between 1950 and 1954. Hirosho Toshida of Japan (the first of 20 Japanese drivers) attempted to qualify for 2 Grands Prix in 1975. India has given us 2 Grand Prix Drivers, Narin Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok, and Alex Yoong of Malaysia took part in 14 Grands Prix between 2001 and 2002.
Also of interest is that Willy T Ribbs, who drove in the US CART series between 1990 and 1994, tested for Brabham in 1986 and not only has F1 had Jewish drivers there has been a Jewish World Champion. Francois Cevert, Peter Revson and Ian and Jody Scheckter are/were all Jewish.
As F1 develops a more global reach in the 21st century, along with the changing face of geo-Politics and the World’s financial structures, I wonder how long it will be before we have more drivers from the Middle East, Indian sub continent, China and more Far Eastern competitors? Anyone know the odds on a Chinese, Middle Eastern or Indian F1 World Champion before 2030?
Birabongse Bhnanubandh of Thailand took part in 18 Grands Prix between 1950 and 1954. Hirosho Toshida of Japan (the first of 20 Japanese drivers) attempted to qualify for 2 Grands Prix in 1975. India has given us 2 Grand Prix Drivers, Narin Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok, and Alex Yoong of Malaysia took part in 14 Grands Prix between 2001 and 2002.
Also of interest is that Willy T Ribbs, who drove in the US CART series between 1990 and 1994, tested for Brabham in 1986 and not only has F1 had Jewish drivers there has been a Jewish World Champion. Francois Cevert, Peter Revson and Ian and Jody Scheckter are/were all Jewish.
As F1 develops a more global reach in the 21st century, along with the changing face of geo-Politics and the World’s financial structures, I wonder how long it will be before we have more drivers from the Middle East, Indian sub continent, China and more Far Eastern competitors? Anyone know the odds on a Chinese, Middle Eastern or Indian F1 World Champion before 2030?